"Celebrating 10 Years"
By Peggy Neason,
Region 1 TOPSoccer Chair
The year 2002 has special meaning to the TOPSoccer Program.
In May of 1992 former Executive Director Ray Tompsett and Program
Director Peter Ehlers, called a meeting in Denver to discuss the possibility
of creating a program for children with disabilities. Each state was asked to
send 1 person, from this meeting ,as Ray put it, "4 little white mice" were
sent out into the Regions to promote the program called "TOPSoccer "(The
Outreach Program for Soccer or TOPS). Those 4 little white mice were
Joe Nagel (Region 4), John Janasik (Region 2) Doug Gaudious (Region 3)
and Peggy Neason (Region 1). TOPSoccer at this time was a havoc-
committee until 1996 when it was made a standing committee. The
committee worked together and developed the TOPSoccer brochure, manual
and promotional video that are currently being used. In 1999 a national
sponsor came aboard UNIROYAL. Since Uniroyal's involvement we have
seen 2 National TOPSoccer Symposiums , Regional Symposiums, soccer
equipment made available to our TOPSoccer programs and Julie Foudy as the
National Spoke Person for the Program. To use the old cliché,
WE'VE COME A LONG WAY BABY, sums it all up. Ten years ago there
were only a couple of programs, today there are programs in almost every
State Association making up USYSA. All 4 of the original white mice
are still actively involved in the program. John Janasik is the Region 2
TOPSoccer representative ,Peggy Neason is the Region 1 TOPSoccer
representative, Joe Nagel does TOPSoccer programs for Massachusetts
and Doug Gaudious does a program in North Carolina. Hats off to all
the dedicated coaches and volunteers . It is with your tireless efforts that
TOPSoccer has grown to were it is today . You all have made it possible
for thousands of children with disabilities to enjoy the game of soccer
and bring true meaning to the phrase. THE GAME FOR ALL KIDS.
Thank you for bring these children into our soccer family
Submitted by:
Peggy Neason
Region 1 TOPSoccer Chair
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