WYOMING SOCCER ANNOUNCES

2023 USYS WEST REGIONAL & NATIONAL WINNERS

Wyoming Soccer is pleased to announce we had six individuals from Wyoming who were selected as USYS West Region Award Winners. All winners from our 2023 Wyoming AGM & Awards Celebration were nominated for regional awards. Regional winners are then nominated for National Awards, and one of these individuals won the national award!

We would like to congratulate the following six individuals on their Regional Selection, which includes the states of California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Hawaii, Alaska, and of course, Wyoming.

Being selected on a regional level is a HUGE honor and accomplishment,

and this year, for the second consecutive year, one of them went on to win a

2023 National USYS Award!

EMMA COUGHENOUR

USYS West Region TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year & National Winner!

Emma Coughenour has been part of the Cheyenne TOPSoccer program for the past nine years. She was inspired to help others as she watched miracles happen through weekly physical therapy sessions for her sister. Watching her sister gain physical strength as well as self-confidence affected her to her core and started a drive to help others. So, when given the chance to volunteer at a local children’s therapy group she jumped at the opportunity.

She thoroughly enjoys her work as a TOPSoccer Buddy, and has invited multiple friends and family members to participate as Buddies and many kids she meets through children’s therapy have now become athletes in the program. Through buddy mentorship and her 6 years of service to the children’s therapy group, she found her calling to become a pediatric physical therapist and is taking college courses to achieve this goal. She is described as amazingly patient and one person recanted about how she was paired with an athlete who was non-verbal and had autism. Initially this athlete would stand by their mother and scream, but with Emma's patience and persistence, the young athlete now grabs her by the hand, gets a ball and happily heads to the field- smiling, performing drills and even doing a celebratory dance now and then.

Emma is more than deserving of the 2023 USYS West Regional TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year award, and beyond that, she was selected as the 2023 US Youth Soccer National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year! We could not be more proud to have her as part of Cheyenne's TOPSoccer Program and Wyoming Soccer Association.

CONGRATULATIONS, EMMA!

STACEY UMBACH

USYS West Region TOPSoccer Coach of the Year

Stacey Umbach started in the Casper TOPSoccer program four years ago, as he has a nephew who has Down’s Syndrome and saw a need for the program in his community. Stacey took it upon himself to reach out to the State Director of TopSoccer and the USYS West Region TopSoccer representative to figure out what it would take to start the program.

In 2019, Casper's TOPSoccer Program was underway, running 1 night a week for 6 weeks that initial summer. Stacey then decided a winter program was needed as well and went about finding a gym to hold such a program during the months of January and February. He then worked on expanding the program by reaching out to those in the community who work with children with disabilities and to the club and Casper College soccer players for TOPSoccer Buddy volunteers. Due to his efforts, the program participation has steadily grown and he has continued to work to make the program inclusive for all by purchasing adaptive equipment to meet all the different needs of those that would like to participate.

Stacey has had various experience as a recreational and competitive coach, as well as serving as a referee at various levels. His commitment to the participants in the TOPSoccer program, as well as to the growth of the program is what makes him so special and worthy of being recognized. We believe he was the perfect choice for the 2023 US Youth Soccer West Region TOPSoccer Coach of the Year!

CONGRATULATIONS, STACEY!

THOMAS ADU

USYS West Region Boys Recreational Coach of the Year

Thomas Adu with the Cheyenne Soccer Club Recreational Program has had a passion for soccer since he was very young. When the opportunity presented itself for him to be involved in youth soccer coaching, it was a very easy decision for him and no one had to ask him twice!

Thomas is described as having an amazing amount of energy and excitement, which gets the kids motivated and excited about the game as well. He is passionate about teaching the boys he coaches to be respectful of all people, to be good teammates and is motivated most by making a positive impact on each of the youth he encounters as a coach.

Thomas is a person who enjoys not only volunteering to coach, but also being active in various volunteer initiatives in his community. He is described as a humble leader who leads by example and we are so honored that he was chosen as the 2023 USYS West Region Boys Recreational Coach of the Year!

CONGRATULATIONS, THOMAS!

BRIAN HOKANSON

USYS West Region Girls Competitive

Coach of the Year

Brian Hokanson is from Gillette and he started coaching recreationally in 1996. Gradually, he started coaching competitively, coaching both boys and girls throughout his career, finally coaching a 19U group of girls.

There is so much to be said about Brian, as he has done so much for not only the individuals he's coached over the years, but for soccer in his community, as well. He has served as president of Gillette Edge and as tournament director for several of their tournaments. Brian has been instrumental in lobbying for sport floors for the Cam-Plex, as well as personally sponsoring soccer through his dental practice. He has worked with Campbell County to sponsor a soccer ID camp annually to give players opportunities to play at the next level.

He was instrumental this past year in getting several girls he coached committed to play collegiate soccer. He encourages the girls to be team players and to be excellent people on and off the pitch. He also encourages excellence in academics, and last year's team has a GPA average of 3.96. We can't think of a more deserving coach to be the recipient of the 2023 US Youth Soccer West Region Girls Competitive Coach of the Year!

CONGRATULATIONS, BRIAN!

DAVID FERGUSON

USYS West Region Boys Competitive Coach of the Year

David (Dave) Ferguson with Casper Soccer Club has been involved with soccer since he was only 3 years old. He played for his town’s competitive club team all the way up through High School.

Dave has been coaching for 8 years, which started at the recreational level and now is the Age Group director for the 12U boys division for Casper Soccer Club, and he's the Wyoming 307 Select Coach for the 2012 Boys, as well. Dave is always willing to jump in and help wherever necessary and has frequently run trainings for other teams when their coaches were not available.

Dave is described by players and parents alike as a passionate coach who gets the best out of his players and who is concerned with developing players both on and off the pitch, all while instilling the love of the beautiful game. He takes an active role in promoting sportsmanship to young players, as well as parents and emphasizes the importance of being respectful to all regardless of the outcome of the game.

We are thrilled the US Youth Soccer West Region deemed him worth of this award!

CONGRATULATIONS, DAVID!

TRENT HULTMAN

USYS West Region Administrator of the Year

Trent Hultman has been a fixture with Jackson Hole Youth Soccer Club for quite some time and for good reason. He started with the club as an 8U Academy coach and quickly developed a reputation for creating a great atmosphere and excellent relationships with parents and kids alike. Trent coached the same team each year and won the prestigious Wasatch Classic during their final 12U season.

In 2020 Trent was hired as the Executive Director during a time when the club was undergoing a lot of transition. He took a club that behind the scenes was struggling and infused it with leadership by example, honesty, hard work and a proactive approach. During his first year in the position, the pandemic hit and people from Jackson describe Trent as navigating this tough time by innovative solutions to unforeseen challenges and bringing the club through it with incredible organization and professionalism.

Since then, Trent has successfully created two new annual events for the club, he has formed a working partnership with the new state of the art indoor facility in their community, and undertook moving their offices to this building. He has also reached out and acquired several new sponsorships for both Jackson Hole youth Soccer, as well as events and partnered with the city and tourism board to make their events more accessible. In our interactions with him at the state office, he is always personable, professional. and he is very deserving of the 2023 US Youth Soccer West Region Administrator of the Year! 

CONGRATULATIONS, TRENT!

We are thrilled to keep seeing Wyoming names pop up on the regional level, and now we have reached the national level two years in a row! We are confident we have people deserving in 2024, as well.

Please make sure you get your nominations in for those who stand out in your club. Nominations for the 2024 awards are open!