Phil Anschutz, Don Wilbur, Tony Sanneh and JT Dorsey Earn Prestigious U.S. Soccer Awards During Annual General Meeting; Two Members Bestowed With Honorary Life Memberships

PHIL ANSCHUTZ, DON WILBUR, TONY SANNEH, AND JT DORSEY EARN PRESTIGIOUS U.S. SOCCER AWARDS DURING ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING; TWO MEMBERS BESTOWED WITH HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIPS 

Individuals Honored During U.S. Soccer’s Awards Dinner on Saturday, March 1 in Atlanta  

ATLANTA (March 1, 2025) – U.S. Soccer announced Phil Anschutz as the recipient of the prestigious Werner Fricker Builder Award, while Don Wilbur earned the inaugural Fernando G. Alvarez Referee Champion Award, Tony Sanneh was given the third annual Carla Overbeck Leadership Award, and JT Dorsey earned the third annual Kim Crabbe Game Changers Award. Jim Hamilton and Kathy Zolad were named honorary life members of U.S. Soccer.  The awards were presented to each honoree at U.S. Soccer’s Annual General Meeting which is taking place from Feb. 27-March 2 in Atlanta.  

“I want to congratulate Phil Anschutz, Don Wilbur, Tony Sanneh, JT Dorsey, Jim Hamilton and Kathy Zolad on their honors,” said U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson.  “Each of them has made enormous contributions to the sport of soccer.  Their unwavering support has made our game stronger and should inspire us all to continue giving back.  We are grateful for all they have done and continue to do in service to soccer.” 

WERNER FRICKER BUILDER AWARD 

The Werner Fricker Builder Award is the highest honor that can be bestowed by U.S. Soccer and is given to an individual or group who dedicate at least 20 years of service to the sport, working to establish a lasting legacy in the history and structure of soccer in the United States. First awarded in 2002, the award recognizes those who have developed programs that will outlast their own involvement in the sport. 

Phil Anschutz is a Colorado businessman who was involved in the ownership of six different Major League Soccer teams. He was a co-founder of the league and has often been referred to as the league’s financial savior during its early-day challenges around 2000. He is a recipient of the National Soccer Hall of Fame’s Medal of Honor for his contributions to American soccer.  

Anschutz began his business career as an independent driller in the Colorado and Wyoming oilfields, and eventually expanded from oil and gas into real estate, railroads, telecommunications, movie theaters, moviemaking, and sports. After becoming interested in soccer during the 1994 World Cup, he joined MLS as an investor and operator of the Colorado Rapids. Over the first decade of MLS, he held pivotal roles with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chicago Fire, San Jose Earthquakes, MetroStars and D.C. United, eventually scaling back as more investors became attracted to soccer. 

As owner of the Galaxy, he financed the building of Dignity Health Sports Park—one of the first MLS soccer-specific stadiums and led the club to winning a record six MLS Cups and the most MLS Cup Final appearances in league history. Anschutz was also a key figure in the league’s purchase of English-language television rights to the FIFA World Cup. 

FERNANDO G. ALVAREZ REFEREE CHAMPION AWARD 

Don Wilbur has been named the recipient of the inaugural Fernando G. Alvarez Referee Champion Award in recognition of his decades-long commitment to developing and mentoring referees at all levels of the game. With a career spanning more than 50 years, Wilbur has played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of referees.  

As an educator and mentor, he has gone beyond the technical aspects of officiating, emphasizing mental resilience, ethical leadership, and personal development. His innovative approach to mental preparation in refereeing was ahead of its time, ensuring officials were not only knowledgeable but also mentally equipped to handle the pressures of the game. 

Wilbur’s contributions extend far beyond the classroom. He has actively worked to provide resources to referees in underserved areas, personally collecting and delivering referee uniforms to developing regions in Central America and Africa. His unwavering commitment to fairness, integrity, and the growth of the game has made him a respected figure in the global refereeing community. 

In addition to his on-field and mentorship contributions, Wilbur has been a tireless advocate for referee development, fostering a positive and supportive environment. His encouragement and guidance have helped countless referees advance their careers, and his influence continues to shape the sport.  

CARLA OVERBECK LEADERSHIP AWARD 

Tony Sanneh has earned the third annual Carla Overbeck Leadership Award, an honor given to an individual who demonstrates a unique ability to lead and guide others and who contributes to the success of an initiative that benefits those outside their own organization and places emphasis on collaboration within and among leadership.  

A former USMNT and professional player, Sanneh has made a significant impact through The Sanneh Foundation, a nonprofit organization he founded in 2003 to empower youth and underserved communities through education, mentorship, and soccer-based programming. The Foundation focuses on advancing social change by providing free sports camps, academic support, and nutritional programs to children across the U.S. In addition to his executive leadership role with The Sanneh Foundation, Sanneh serves as a Sports Envoy on behalf of the Sports United Division of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. 

Sanneh was a key figure on the USMNT squad during the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he played every minute of the team’s historic run to the quarterfinals. He earned 43 caps during a nine-year international career, culminating in the 2005 Concacaf Gold Cup title. 

Sanneh enjoyed a successful career as a defender and midfielder, playing in Major League Soccer, the Bundesliga, and with the U.S. Men’s National Team.  He joined D.C. United halfway through the inaugural MLS season, leading the club to consecutive MLS Cup championships in 1996 and 1997, as well as the 1996 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and 1997 Supporters’ Shield. In 1998, he was part of the history-making United team that became the first U.S. club to win the Concacaf Champions Cup. Toward the end of his career, Sanneh won another U.S. Open Cup title with the Chicago Fire, assisting on the final goal in a 3-1 win against the LA Galaxy.  

Sanneh also owns and operates his own soccer camp system in the Midwest and U.S. Virgin Islands, and is a coach and consultant for club soccer team Minneapolis United.  

KIM CRABBE GAME CHANGERS AWARD 

JT Dorsey has earned the third annual Kim Crabbe Game Changers Award. Established by Game Changers United, the award is given to a member of the soccer community who has made a lasting and innovative impact in expanding access and inclusion in a creative way and fostering long-term sustainability for the future of soccer.  

Through his visionary leadership and grassroots initiatives, Dorsey has revolutionized soccer accessibility for underserved communities. As the founder and executive director of the JT Dorsey Foundation, he has pioneered programs like The Game for All Kids, which has engaged over 4,500 young players and 120 coaches in its first three years. His Mobile Education Centers bring essential coaching and referee education to inner-city clubs, addressing systemic barriers to participation.  

Dorsey’s innovative approach has reshaped the soccer landscape by tackling critical issues such as childhood obesity, transportation barriers, and coaching accessibility. His Soccer for Success program integrates nutrition education, while his Skills School bridges the gap between grassroots and elite soccer opportunities. By forming strategic partnerships with schools, businesses, and local organizations, he ensures that these programs remain sustainable and continue fostering community engagement. 

Beyond his local impact, Dorsey’s work has influenced national soccer development. His leadership in coaching education, equity training, and mentorship has been adopted as a model for other states. Through his collaborations with the U.S. Soccer Foundation and the Black Soccer Coaches Group, Dorsey has championed initiatives that drive long-term inclusivity and growth in the sport.  Dorsey is also a grassroots soccer leader for Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer where he authored and was awarded three Innovate to Grow grants. The grants include the Mobile Education Center, an Equity Across the Game diversity, equity and inclusion initiative and The Game for All Kids, a program for youth aged 6-18 in targeted, under-resourced communities that implements free and accessible introductory and pickup soccer sessions. In 2024, Dorsey was a recipient of the Coaches Communities Award of Excellence given by the United Soccer Coaches. 

TWO LIFE MEMBERS ELECTED 

Jim Hamilton and Kathy Zolad were given honorary U.S. Soccer life memberships by a vote of the National Council earlier today. 

JIM HAMILTON 

Hamilton served as the first President of the Board of Directors of the United States Soccer Foundation and was pivotal in contributing to the mission and goals to grow the sport of soccer in the U.S. After his nine years as Chairperson of the Foundation, Hamilton went on to serve four more years on the Board in helping to guide the Foundation to fulfill its goals and grow the game.  Hamilton was responsible for overseeing the administration of a grant program to develop soccer across the United States as the legacy of the 1994 FIFA Men’s World Cup.  

Hamilton’s involvement with soccer began at age 35 when he joined a recreational team in the Columbia Adult Soccer Association (CASA) Men’s Over 30 division. He continued playing recreational soccer for nearly 20 years. The year after he began playing, Hamilton became the team manager and began attending the league meetings. Soon thereafter he was elected President of CASA. He served as President for four years, then as Treasurer for another four years. As President of CASA, he began attending meetings of the Washington State Soccer Association (now Washington State Adult Soccer Association) Board of Commissioners. He was elected Secretary of the Washington State Adult Soccer Association in 1992. He has served as Secretary ever since. 

KATHY ZOLAD 

Zolad’s years of service in Connecticut and later in national positions has been focused on growing the game from the grassroots level to the National Teams. Zolad advocated for the inclusion of a youth girls Olympic Development Program and she worked to gain better training and playing opportunities for women when the women’s game was in its infancy.  Through her work in Connecticut, she has been recognized by youth, high school and college programs.  Her contributions have been acknowledged with numerous awards and culminated in the University of New Haven naming its soccer stadium the Kathy Zolad Stadium.  

Zolad is the current National Chair of the U.S. Soccer Appeals Committee and the former Secretary of U.S. Youth Soccer. While serving as National Chair, Kathy also works on several committees, including the U.S. Soccer Credential Committee, USYS Youth Soccer Bylaws and Policies Committee, and USYS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. 

Her prior roles include past President and Executive Director of Connecticut Junior Soccer Association, Chair of Connecticut State Referee Committee, Chair of Region I U.S. Adult Soccer Association Women's Committee, Committee Member of the NSCAA All-American Committee and the East Region Cup Committee.  

About the U.S. Soccer Federation 

Founded in 1913, U.S. Soccer has been the official governing body of the sport in the United States for more than 100 years. As U.S. Soccer looks toward the future amid an unprecedented moment of opportunity, it has aligned its efforts around five strategic pillars: Grow the game by increasing youth and adult participation and accessibility to the sport; Foster best playing environments through quality of referees and coaches, and commitment to participant safety; Develop winning teams through solidified pathways and success of professional leagues; Grow the soccer economy to fuel reinvestment by increasing membership, fandom and commercial success; and Create a world-class organization through revitalized structure and culture, best-in-class talent and more. For more information, visit ussoccer.com/ourvision.