The NSCAA recognized outstanding achievement in and service to the sport with the presentation of Letters of Commendation and Certificates of Appreciation at its 2009 Convention in St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 15-17.
Letters of Commendation
 2008 U.S. Women’s Olympic Team
Under the direction of Pia Sundhage, the U.S. Women’s National Team continued its success on the Olympic stage, claiming the gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games with a stirring 1-0 victory over Brazil. It was the third gold medal for the U.S. in the past four Olympic Games, a string of success that is unmatched in the sport regardless of gender.
U.S. Women's National Team Coach Pia Sundhage (left) accepts an NSCAA Letter of Commendation on behalf of the 2008 U.S. Women's Olympic Team from NSCAA President Al Albert at the annual Women's Soccer Breakfast during the 2009 Convention in St. Louis, Mo.
Joe Baum
Baum completed his 32nd season as the men’s coach at Michigan State University in remarkable fashion, leading his team to the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles and its fourth NCAA tournament appearance since 2001. He retired as head coach on January 1 with a career record of 320-228-54, but will remain with the Spartan program next fall as an assistant coach, marking his 36th year with the program.
NSCAA President Al Albert (left) presents NSCAA Letters of Commendation to Joe Baum (second from left), Richard Flesher (second from right) and Rick Davis (right) at the annual Awards Banquet in St. Louis, Mo.
Joe Bochicchio
A native of Scranton, Bochicchio, 61, served as the Scranton women’s coach from 1984, one year after the program was founded, until his passing in 2006. He led the Royals to an overall record of 298-144-33 (.662), which included 15 conference championships and 11 NCAA Division III tournament appearances, where three of his teams advanced to the quarterfinals (1987, 2001, 2003). A four-time NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year and five-time conference coach of the year on five occasions (1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2006), he was fifth in victories (298) and 44th in winning percentage (.666) in NCAA Division III women’s soccer history. Seven of his players were NSCAA All-Americas, 24 were NSCAA All-region and 56 were all-conference.
Rick Davis
As the executive director of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), Davis has come full circle. He began his career as a seven-year-old AYSO player in Claremont, Calif. That career carried him to the U.S. National Team, captaincy of the 1984 and 1988 U.S. Olympic Teams and three NASL championships with the New York Cosmos. Despite this worldly success, his passion has remained with youth soccer and he continues to advance the youth game.
Tony DiCicco
DiCicco led the U.S. to the title of the 2008 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup last month in Chile. Under his direction, the American side allowed only three goals and swept the tournament’s major awards. Forward Sydney Leroux received both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher received the Golden Glove and the team was presented the Fair Play Award.
Tony DiCicco (left) receives an NSCAA Letter of Commendation from NSCAA President Al Albert at the annual Women's Soccer Breakfast during the 2009 Convention in St. Louis, Mo.
Richard Flesher
Flesher’s activities in soccer have extended far beyond the pitch. Besides coaching at Hinsdale High School, where he founded the girls program and led it to back-to-back state final appearances, he also has been a resource during international events in the Chicago area. Since 2001 he has been involved in humanitarian efforts that include establishing a school in Honduras and coordinating relief supplies and soccer equipment shipments to victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Ike.
Certificates of Appreciation
Dominic Kinnear
Kinnear is being recognized for his success with the Houston Dynamos of Major League Soccer. He led the team to back-to-back MLS Cup titles in 2006 and 2007, marking the first time an MLS side has successfully defended a championship since D.C. United achieved the feat in the first two years of the league.
John Koskinen
John A. Koskinen served as President of the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the major charitable arm of soccer in the United States, from 2004-08. He also was Chairman of the Washington, D.C., host committee for the 1994 World Cup and led the city's 1996 Olympic Soccer Committee. He was an organizer and vice chairman of the American Professional Soccer League from 1987-91, was a youth soccer coach for 10 years and was named the Maryland Youth Soccer Coach of the Year in 1989.
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