The memory of Goaziou, who was involved in soccer for more than 25 years as a coach and administrator, is honored with two one-year scholarships in the amount of $1,250 to be awarded to one male and one female attending a post-secondary education institution for the first time in Fall 2022. The scholarships are awarded based on community service and giving back to the game of soccer.
Goaziou served as treasurer of US Youth Soccer and the Florida Youth Soccer Association, as well as chairman of the US Youth Soccer Budget and Olympic Development Program Committees. In 1994 he took office as the U.S. Soccer Federation’s Treasurer and was re-elected three times (1998, 2000 and 2004). Beyond the soccer world, Goaziou also served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps.
2022 Female Winner: Kieley Whittaker
Biography: Kieley Whittaker was a two-time district champion and three-year team captain at William R. Boone High School. She also played competitively with the South Orlando Soccer Club for seven years, which led her to one of the biggest off-field contributions she has made. In 2020, Whittaker launched a TOPSoccer program at her club and has seen its impact with more than 100 players and 150 buddies currently involved. She was also a standout in the classroom, graduating with a 3.80 GPA and earning induction into the English, Science, and Spanish National Honor Societies, in addition to the National Honor Society and National Academy of Finance. Whittaker will further her education and continue making an impact on the lives of others at Florida State University.
College planning to attend: Florida State University
2022 Male Winner: Daniel Karlen
Biography: Daniel Karlen, who was recently named Kentucky's High School Athletic Association's Student-Athlete of the Year, was a district champion every year at Trinity High School. He also won the 2019 Kentucky State Cup with his then-club team, Javanon FC. Karlen's success at Trinity High School extended into the classroom as well, as he graduated with a 3.96 GPA and as a member of the National Honor Society. He will be studying mechanical engineering and continuing his playing career at Anderson University. Karlen had also volunteered more than 125 hours of time each school year to a variety of organizations, including the Special Olympics, CrossRoads Missions, and Lyndon Woods Nursing Home, among others. Additionally, he has been a certified United States Soccer Federation referee for more than five years and was selected as the 2021 Kentucky Young Male Referee of the Year.
College planning to attend: Anderson University