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The Service to Youth award is one of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer's most prestigious honors. It is awarded to an individual who, over a period of years, has made outstanding contributions to youth and the sport of soccer. Individuals must have dedicated their time on and off the field to instilling the principles of good sportsmanship, the development of youth in soccer, and the promotion of soccer with Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer and its leagues and teams.
This year’s winners are Bob McDade and Ed Leigh. Both will be honored at Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s Annual Awards Banquet Saturday, March 12th at the Philadelphia Marriott West.
Tickets for the event are available here
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Ed Leigh: Eddie Leigh has become one of the more respected club coaches in the state throughout his long career at FC Bucks, where he serves as Coaching Director. Said his colleague Dan Mannella, "Eddie is the face of the club. It's a pride factor to play for an Eddie coached team."
Leigh is the only two-time winner of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer's Girls Travel Coach of the Year. He won the award in 1998 and 2009. His reach goes beyond coaching, however. Leigh was a pioneer in the girls’ game, where his teams became state and regional powers. The FC Bucks Vipers, coached by Leigh, was the first Eastern Pennsylvania girls team to win a US Youth Soccer National Championship. As a player, he competed for Walter Bahr coached teams at Frankford High School in Philadelphia and at Temple University.
“When you think of Bob and Ed, their accomplishments come to mind,” said Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer CEO Chris Branscome, “But it’s their mentorship that really stands out. They’ve been so influential to so many in our state, including myself.”
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