Manhasset’s Owen McCormack’s efforts in the TOPSoccer community have been duly recognized by US Youth Soccer, receiving an award earlier this month as the US Youth Soccer National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year. He was honored at the US Youth Soccer Workshop in Chicago on January 9.
The annual gala attended by many notable figures in the soccer community, recognizes the outstanding contributions of youth soccer members through 12 awards, including the TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year.
The TOPSoccer program, The Outreach Program for Soccer, is a recreational sports program for children and adults with intellectual, emotional, or physical. disabilities. McCormack has been involved with the Manhasset Soccer Club’s Adaptive Program since the 9th grade. The following year he was appointed Director of Student Volunteers, recruiting Manhasset High School students to volunteer alongside him in the program. He also sets the schedule at the start of the season and makes sure that every participant receives the attention they need and deserve.
During his own soccer career, he began playing with the Manhasset Soccer Club and now competes with the East Meadow Soccer Club. He also has played with the Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) for the past three years.
McCormack becomes the second National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year award winner in the past six years from LIJSL. West Hempstead’s Jessica Lee received the recognition in 2019.
McCormack also recently was honored at the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) Hall of Fame banquet on January 25 as the ENYYSA TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year.