2023 WALT CHYZOWYCH AWARDS AND RECEPTION
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - Ralph Lundy
Ralph Lundy, former Head Coach of the College of Charleston and Erskine College will receive the 2023 Walt Chyzowych Fund Lifetime Achievement Award. Coach Lundy amassed 473 wins in a 46-year college coaching career highlighted with appearances in three NAIA and five NCAA Tournaments.
Upon retirement after the 2019 season, Lundy had amassed a record of 323-279-53 with the Cougars, bringing his lifetime college coaching record to 469-356-68, ranking Lundy 25th amongst Division I Coaches in wins at the time and 4th among active Division I coaches.
Lundy resides in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. with his wife Elizabeth, where he is currently Technical Director of the South Carolina Surf Soccer Club. They have three children: Harper, Ralph III and Lettie. Ralph III played for his father at CofC from 2009-12.
DISTINGUISHED PLAYING CAREER AWARD 1973 Philadelphia Atoms
The Philadelphia Atoms, recipients of the 2023 Distinguished Playing Career Award, were founded by Philadelphia construction giant Thomas McCloskey in 1973. Playing a largely American line-up they won the NASL title in their expansion season – 50 years ago - by defeating the host Dallas Tornado 2-0. After this Championship match, Philadelphia goalkeeper and Delaware Valley native Bob Rigby became the first soccer player to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
In addition to Rigby, players from the US included Barry Barto, Bobby Smith (National Soccer Hall of Fame), Lew Meehl, Casey Bahr, Charles Ducilli, Bill Straub, Norm Wingert, Stan Startzell, Manny Schellscheidt (National Soccer Hall of Fame -Germany/USA) and George O’Neill (Scotland/USA). The line-up also included England’s Roy Evans, Chris Dunleavy, Jim Fryatt, Derek Trevis; Scotland’s Andy Provan, Jamaica’s Raymond Parris, and Germany/Australia’s Karl Minor.
Coach Al Miller was recognized as the 1973 NASL Coach of the Year, received the 2019 Walt Chyzowych Lifetime Achievement Award, and was a 1995 inductee into the National Soccer Hall of Fame!
Once again, the WALT CHYZOWYCH AWARD RECEPTION AND CEREMONY will be held in conjunction with the United Soccer Coaches Annual Convention. This year it will take place on Saturday Jan. 14, 2023, at 4:00 pm in the Liberty Ballroom of the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Hotel. The public is invited, and light refreshments and beverages will be served. The Award Ceremony and Reception is conducted with the generosity of its principal donor, Capelli Sport, as well as a special donation received from MLS’ Philadelphia Union.
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