The Rapid City Youth Soccer League was presented the "Team Builder Award" for the largest growth in soccer associations over 750 members. The South Dakota State Soccer Association presented the award to President Dan Davis at the annual meeting on Nov. 3 in Yankton. RCSYL is the second-largest soccer association in the state and experienced the largest growth.

Mark Owen of Rapid City was elected the president of the SDSSA. He has served as vice president for recreation soccer over the past few years as well as serving in nearly every capacity that exists in soccer. About the only position he hasn't held is "soccer mom."

Mark is a supportive soccer parent, a former coach, local board member, scheduler of games and maintainer of fields. He brought a child to the Pee Wee division years ago and fell in love with the game along with his children. Now, although his youngest child is in the final years of high school, Mark has become more involved and deeply committed to providing a soccer experience to every child.

Challenger British Soccer camps have cultivated a relationship with Rapid City soccer primarily because of Owen. Mark handles all the registrations, secures housing for all the coaches, connects with parents and kids as the opening day unfolds, and goes the extra mile again and again to make your child's experience outstanding. Last summer, he made the correct arrangements to provide a soccer experience for a couple of youngsters who needed coaches who could understand and protect these special young charges.

Mark believes that keeping the game and the organization that governs the game simple. He has focused attention on the explosion of rules and regulations that had developed a stranglehold on recreation soccer and has worked to return control of the regulations to local associations. His re-configuration of the state recreation soccer tournament has been popular across the state because it has allowed teams of similar ability to play each other. Parents and kids like it when opponents are more evenly matched.

Jackie Borr, an outstanding soccer mom and administrator, is stepping down from the state board. Jackie has unselfishly given years of time and support to soccer across the state. She served several years as Vice President for Competitive Soccer and encouraged the development of the advanced competition across the state. The entire Borr family has been extremely important to soccer as coaches, referees, administrators, players and supportive soccer parents. Soccer has been fortunate to have people like the Borrs engaged in soccer development and growth.

RCYSL's former president, Buker Beaumont, turned over the presidency to Dan Davis at the organization's fall membership meeting last week. Davis has also been selected as our district's representative on the state board of directors. Beaumont was elected to the SDSSA's first office of Executive Vice President and will have the opportunity to create the impact of this office. Buker is known for his high energy and love of the kids and the game, so look for SDSSA to rev up.

Keep in mind that all of the people who serve on the boards of the RCYSL and SDSSA do so because they love kids playing soccer. No one makes money on these jobs and communities all across the state benefit. Without folks like these, the high school competition that will become a SDHSAA sanctioned sport within four years, would never have happened. Perhaps it is time you raised your hand and joined them. We would welcome you.