US Youth Soccer
Most Americans remember 1974 as the year President Richard M. Nixon
resigned from the White House amid the Watergate Scandal. Today 1974
represents the beginning of a vision that has grown to establish the largest
youth sports organization in the United States.
 The
insight of Karl Grosch, Don Greer and Robert Nessler would change the face
of youth soccer - not to mention youth sports. It was the spring of '74;
these men spent three days of non-stop labor to pen the initial United
States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) Constitution, By-Laws,
Rules and Regulations by hand. Although it was considered revolutionary at
the time, the goal was to unite the worlds of youth soccer in the United
States through a democratic structure to provide uniform rules and
guidelines. These guidelines would facilitate intra-state, inter-state and
international play. US Youth Soccer would also provide a structured appeals
process, and its marketing and licensing programs would help US Youth Soccer
hold down player costs while providing revenue for increased services.
After many drafts, with the help of State Associations, the documents
were submitted to the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) for
consideration. The 58th Annual USSF Council accepted and adopted the
proposed documents at their 1974 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in New York
City and thus officially formed and recognized US Youth Soccer as an
affiliated, self-governing body for youth soccer in the United States.
The vision laid the groundwork for the various youth soccer organizations
to join and bring the youth soccer community together and better the game,
US Youth Soccer has grown into the largest youth sports organization in the
United States. Starting with 100,000 registered players in 1974, today the
organization has grown to 3.2 million registered players and over 900,000
coaches and volunteers.
From the first US Youth Soccer AGM, US Youth Soccer has developed
programs and initiatives to set it apart from other soccer organizations and
youth sport groups. With programs for underserved areas (US Youth Soccer's
Soccer Start), athletes with physical disabilities (US Youth Soccer
TOPSoccer - "The Outreach Program of Soccer"), recreational players
(Kohl's American Cup), competitive athletes (The US Youth Soccer National
Championship Series), elite athletes (US Youth Soccer Olympic Development
Program) and youth soccer educators (Coaches Connection) - US Youth Soccer
is the choice of America's youth soccer athlete, coach, referee and
administrator. US Youth Soccer has also established programs to recognize
coaches (US Youth Soccer Awards Gala), youth referees (Young Referee of the
Year), and excellence on the field of play (adidas Golden Glove and adidas
Golden Boot awards). US Youth Soccer looks to build all ages and levels of
the Game for All Kids!
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