The response to our 4th Annual Soccer Administrator of the Year Award this year has been overwhelming. We received hundreds of nominations for this year's award and we here at Blue Sombrero are truly humbled, me especially. As the CEO & Founder of Blue Sombrero, I am a life-long soccer fanatic and product of the American Youth Soccer System. My personal soccer journey led me through the youth ranks, on to college as well as the pro's and inspired me to start Blue Sombrero, to give back to the soccer community and help clubs run more efficiently so that they can spend more of their time and energy inspiring kids to love the game.

Reading the entries for this year's nominees really drove that point home and reminded me of why Blue Sombrero exists and why we have dedicated our resources to helping soccer Administrators.

It was an extremely difficult decision to choose an individual winner especially given the caliber of the candidates. One thing is for certain though, among all the nominations there was a common theme that I think we can all identify with in our own personal lives, be that as a player, coach, administrator or parent: It is the spirit of volunteerism and sacrifice that drives Administrators (and others like parents and coaches) to work the long hours and do the thankless jobs so that our young players get to go out on the field, leave the world behind and play to their heart's content!

So, before announcing the 2010 Soccer Administrator of the Year, I would like to take a moment to personally thank ALL the Administrators, Coaches and Parents for your years of collective dedication and selflessness and for your integral role in the growth of soccer and the positive influence that soccer has played in so many young people's lives.

I truly hope you take the time to read the entries for this year's Finalists as I'm sure you will be as moved and inspired as we were when we read them.

Drum Roll Please

This year's award goes to a very special Soccer Administrator from Indiana. We were literally inundated with stories, accolades and compliments about her and all that she does for her club, Lawrence County Youth Soccer. So without further ado, the 2010 Soccer Administrator of the Year goes to…Billie Bradshaw

Here are just a few of the comments people sent in about Billie:

Billie has been running the Orbit club for 5 years now. She has done this while working a full time job and battling rheumatoid arthritis in both knees. Not only does she run the Orbit club but she also coaches up to 3 teams each season. You can find Billie every Saturday out at the fields coaching and making things run smoothly. Even though she will be hobbling around she will always have a smile on her face. She doesn't get paid, she does all of this for the kids. A person who sacrifices so much time and copes with so much pain and discomfort, not for her own personal gain, but for other's enjoyment deserves this award and recognition.

She has contributed a great deal of time, effort and support to encourage soccer among the youth of Lawrence County. My children have benefited from her efforts for the past 3 years and due to this our family has a newfound love of the sport. Soccer has a present and a future in Lawrence County because of Billy's commitment.

I am nominating Billie Bradshaw because she is the glue that holds the Lawrence County Youth Soccer club together. Billie spends countless hours working behind the scenes for the club to succeed.

Billie has been instrumental in building the Orbits league to what it is today. For a small community, the turn out of kids and parents is overwhelming. The programs we have are above and beyond what other programs provide. As a parent, Billie installs the quality of true sportsmanship, playing hard and playing fair, both to the kids and us parents. Those that know Billie are amazed at what she does for Orbits and those that don't, wonder who is doing all the things that make soccer so much fun and keeping it organized. Thanks Billie

Billie has shown much dedication and passion toward the youth of Lawrence County. She displays leadership and understanding to parents as well as children. She is easy to work with and listens to what you have to say. She has volunteered her time and energy without asking for anything in return.

Congratulations, Billie! This award is incredibly well deserved. Thanks for all that you do and for the wonderful example that you set for all of us! Your Grand Prize of an $200 Gift Card to soccer.com, a Starbucks Gift Card and an iPod Nano is on its way to you.

Finally, I'd like to give a special thanks to our partner SOCCER.COM for their generosity and participation in Soccer Administrator's Day! 

So join us today in honoring and thanking Soccer Administrators for all of their hard work and sacrifice!

Sincerely,
Erik Stadler
CEO & Founder
Blue Sombrero