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STEEL SPORTS SPOTLIGHTS 2021 National XCellence Awards

"Set goals – high goals for you and your organization. When your organization has a goal to shoot for, you create teamwork, people working for a common good." —Bear Bryant

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THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

Steel Sports National XCellence AWARDS

Steel Sports hosted the 2021 National Xcellence Awards on January 31 as coaches, players and staff were recognized for their achievements during the past year. The Awards Show was virtual and featured numerous celebrity presenters that included sports legends and champions.

The 2021 awards program expanded with new categories, including Core Values Champions to honor young athletes for embodying the Steel Sports core values of Teamwork, Respect, Integrity and Commitment. The Staff Star of the Year and Kids First Cup were also added to the awards lineup.

The night concluded with a conversation centered around Tommy Lasorda and the lasting legacy he left behind with Steel Sports. Advisory Board members and celebrity guests shared their memories of Tommy and provided inspiration for the guests in attendance.

TomMY Lasorda National Coaches of the YEar

SPONSORED BY LEAGUEAPPS

PRESENTED BY BENITA FITZGERALD-MOSLEY & WARREN LICHTENSTEIN

Congratulations to Natalia Naro with Steel United Massachusetts and Jack Koleszar from Steel United Pennsylvania on being named the 2021 Steel Sports Tommy Lasorda National Coaches of the Year.

Aside from being an outstanding coach, Natalia is an active leader and participant, always seeking opportunities to get involved with Steel Sports and grow as a coach. Natalia volunteering to be a part of a Steel Sports camp with OMG, a Steel Partners business unit in Massachusetts, shows her dedication to being involved in her community.

Natalia Naro — 2021 Steel Sports Tommy Lasorda National Coach of the Year
"Natalia does a great job of working with her players to enhance their strengths and build up their weaknesses. She keeps it positive and allows the girls to have fun while keeping them focused."

Jack Koleszar balances technical skills with the Steel Sports Core Values, instilling a wide range of abilities within his players. He is a quiet yet effective leader who was nominated by not only his peers, but his players and parents, as well. Jack also actively and regularly engages in the Steel Sports Coaching System, philosophies and lessons.

Jack Koleszar — 2021 Steel Sports Tommy Lasorda National Coach of the Year
"Jack ensures the players are always acting in a way that best reflects both the team and the club. He also encourages us to have fun, but directs us to stay on task as needed. Jack is always at practice 15 to 20 minutes early and is always willing to work with each of us before or after practice on areas of improvement in our individual play."

REGIONAL COACHES OF THE YEAR

SPONSORED BY SCORE SPORTS

PRESENTED BY DUSTY BAKER & JIM THOMPSON

The Steel Sports Regional Coaches of the Year, sponsored by Score Sports, recognizes the coaches who embody the ideals of the Steel Sports Mission, Vision and Core Values, and inspire youth to reach their potential, on and off the field. These coaches establish the Steel standard in youth sports and coaching by forging the next generation of leaders.

A record 410 nominations were submitted for over 90 different coaches. Congratulations to the following recipients of the 2021 Regional Coach of the Year Award.

IMPACT MVP OF THE YEAR

SPONSORED BY YOKOHAMA

PRESENTED BY JULIE FOUDY

The Steel Sports Impact MVP of the Year Award sponsored by Yokohama recognizes a staff member who consistently drives positive impact through our communities and inspires their teams to do the same.

Congratulations to the finalists and winner of our 2021 Impact MVP of the Year Award sponsored by Yokohama — Team Steel Colorado's Joe Fontana. Coach Fontana teaches the value of giving time and effort back to social impact initiatives so his legacy can be seen through the numerous players that have the privilege of calling him coach.

WOMEN OF STEEL AWARD

SPONSORED BY PUMA

PRESENTED BY TZIARRA KING

The Women of Steel mantra is to Inspire, Advocate, and Empower. The Women of Steel Award sponsored by PUMA recognizes Women of Steel members who serve as role models at Steel Sports: women who inspire our athletes, who advocate for gender equity, and who empower our next generation of leaders.

Congratulations to the finalists and winner of the 2021 Women of Steel Award sponsored by PUMA — Felicity Day, VP of Steel Experience. Felicity's impassioned leadership is felt on the field with her soccer teams and the first class events she helps create for kids of all ages. As a co-leader of the Women of Steel group, she guides and mentors women within the Steel Sports family.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

SPONSORED BY UNDER ARMOUR

PRESENTED BY ERIC KARROS

The Rookie of the Year Award sponsored by Under Armour recognizes coaches or staff who exceeded expectations and demonstrated significant growth during their early years with Steel Sports.

Congratulations to the finalists and winner of the 2021 Rookie of the Year Award sponsored by Under Armour — Leslie Teal, Human Resource Manager. Leslie has spearheaded a multitude of endeavors and led our HR team with integrity, organization, wit, and kindness.

Staff Star of the Year

SPONSORED BY SPORTS ENDEAVORS

PRESENTED BY NANCY LIEBERMAN

The Staff Star of the Year Award sponsored by Sports Endeavors recognizes a member of our team who actively reflects our Core Values, supports the growth of our organization, and embodies our Kids First mindset.

Congratulations to the finalists and winner of the Staff Star of the Year Award sponsored by Sports Endeavors — John Steele, Director of Experience, Tri-State/Pennsylvania. John put in the work and took additional steps to build, sell, execute, and debrief many events for a very successful year.

Steel Partners Kids First Cup

Presented by Warren Lichtenstein & STEVE JONES

The Steel Partners Kids First Cup Award recognizes a Steel Partners business unit that has positively impacted kids in their community with Steel Sports programming, completed the Steel Sports Coaching System's Foundations of Positive Coaching Course, and participated in the Core Values Contest.

Congratulations to OMG, Inc. — winner of the inaugural Steel Partners Kids First Cup Award. By hosting a Steel Sports soccer clinic for employees' children, earning a 100% completion rate of Foundations of Positive Coaching Courses, and having the most employee participation for "Integrity" in our Core Values Contest, the OMG team had a tremendous impact on themselves and their community. In addition to claiming the traveling Kids First Cup trophy, Steel Partners will donate to an organization in their community who reflects our same Kids First mindset.

CORE VALUES CHAMPIONS

The new Core Values Champions recognizes athletes who embody the Steel Sports Core Values — Teamwork, Respect, Integrity and Commitment. One athlete was chosen in each region as a Core Values Champion, kids who are dedicated to growing on and off the field and developing into our next generation of leaders.

Congratulations to the nine athletes chosen as the inaugural group of Core Values Champions.