Throughout the history of college soccer, no name is more easily identifiable than that of Joe Morrone.

For thirty-nine years, eleven at Middlebury College and twenty-eight at the University of Connecticut, Morrone has exemplified the best there is in college soccer; he has been college soccer's spirit and its conscience. And Morrone's achievements have not gone unnoticed. The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) bestowed its Honor Award to Morrone in 1995 and the Intercollegiate Soccer Association of America (ISAA) its Bill Jeffrey Award in 1991. Soccer America recognized Morrone as one of the "20 most influential persons in soccer" in 1991 and NISOA (National Soccer Officials Association of America) elected him to its Hall of Fame in 1971. Morrone is a lifetime member of the Connecticut Junior SoccerAssociation which he started in 1972 and will be an inaugural inductee into the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame later this month.

Morrone's lifetime win-loss record of 422-199-64 is the envy of coaches worldwide. He guided UCONN to the NCAA National Championship in 1981 and five times was named New England Coach of the Year.

For his commitment to excellence, the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees voted to name the soccer stadium at his beloved UCONN the Joseph J. Morrone Stadium, fittingly as it is truly a house that Joe built. Joe Morrone has been President or Chairpersonof virtuallyevery office in amateur soccer. The "Friends of Soccer," which Morrone founded at UCONN has created an endowed scholarship program in excess of one million dollars. Ninety-eight percent of Morrone's soccer student athletes, including twenty-five First Team All Americans have earned degrees.

While on occasion, Joe Morrone and Walt Chyzowych may have been opponents on the soccer field, in life each shared a dedication, rather a passion for the game. With diametrically opposite leadership styles each impacted in significant ways the lives of many who played for, worked with or otherwise tried to emulate their success.

Like the previous winners of the Walt Chyzowych Award: Jerry Yeagley, 1996; Anson Dorrance, 1997; and Bill Killen, 1998, Joe Morrone's life has been one of giving.

That Morrone continues to give and be recognized accordingly are important to soccer's future. That soccer is able to continue to be led by Morrone's example is of equal importance.

--Press Release, December 1998