BALTIMORE– US Lacrosse and its Youth Council have announced the winners of the 2008 Youth Excellence Awards. US Lacrosse will honor these eight individuals from around the country at the eighth annual US Lacrosse Youth Council Awards Breakfast on January 17, 2009. The awards breakfast takes place during the US Lacrosse National Convention in Baltimore.

A complete listing of awards and honorees are as follows:

Outstanding Contribution to the Game
Charles "Chuck" Cohen – Palisades, N.Y.
Chuck Cohen has been involved with the sport of lacrosse as an official, a coach and an administrator for over 40 years. His lacrosse career started when he, along with some classmates, formed the first lacrosse team at Spring Valley High School (N.Y.) in 1968. Cohen went on to play in college at Ashland College (Ohio) and then at C.W. Post (N.Y.). In 1976, Cohen began officiating college games. He became the college referee assigner and president of the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League, which he founded. Cohen later founded the Hudson Valley Youth Lacrosse League (N.Y.) and served as its president from 1996-2004. He also was the founder of the Orangetown Lacrosse Youth Program (N.Y.) and the Sound Shore Winter and Summer Youth Lacrosse League. Cohen served as director of the Hudson Valley Lacrosse Camp in Scarsdale, N.Y., chairperson of the Empire State Games (2007, 2008), official and assigner of the Empire State Games, and has served as a youth and high school official in various leagues in California and New York. Cohen has also coached the Scarsdale Youth Recreation team, the Hudson Valley All Star Youth Festival team, the Orangetown Youth Lacrosse team, winter and spring modified and high school Rockland County indoor teams, and teams in the Sound Shore Summer Youth Leagues. On a national level, Cohen has served in countless capacities including: president of the Hudson Valley chapter of US Lacrosse (1998-2004), US Lacrosse First Sport Society member, US Lacrosse Webb Legacy Society member, US Lacrosse Men’s Division Official’s Council treasurer, Men’s Division Board of Governors vice president and current president, and US Lacrosse’s Board of Directors. With all Cohen contributes to the sport, he still finds time to play. He says, "I’ll play lacrosse as long as my feet keep going."

Founder’s Circle
Peter Samson – Wayne, Pa.
"Founder’s Circle" is a unique award given to someone who has founded a program, product or idea that has staying power within the sport. Peter Samson has served the lacrosse community for over 20 years, helping to grow the sport in Southeastern Pennsylvania. However his greatest contribution to the sport of lacrosse was born out of tragedy. In 2000 Samson’s daughter, Katie, once a standout player at Middlebury College, was paralyzed from the chest down in an accident. Peter formed the Katie Samson Foundation and the Katie Samson Lacrosse Festival. The Festival is held annually and brings together 48 boys and girls high school teams for a day of lacrosse and fund raising for spinal cord injury research. In the eight years the festival has been held, it has raised over $800,000. Samson’s impact on the game and the lacrosse community is far-reaching. He has served as a director on the board of the Philadelphia chapter of US Lacrosse and he continues to serve on the chapter’s Hall of Fame nominating committee.

Excellence in Growing the Game
Martin "Marty" Morgan – New Fairfield, Conn.
This award is for an individual who supports the US Lacrosse mission and vision, working effectively and tirelessly to develop lacrosse in a particular geographic area. Marty Morgan has provided over 16 years of services to the sport of lacrosse, beginning in 1992 when he established the New Fairfield Youth Lacrosse Program. Morgan serves as ambassador of the game to so many in Connecticut, volunteering his time and resources to provide opportunity, education and equipment to youth who are looking to tryout the sport. His devotion has paid off as he has created one of the most successful lacrosse programs at New Fairfield High School.

Girls’ Coach of the Year
Nicolle Williams – Decatur, Ga.
Williams has been a youth coach, umpire and administrator for over 10 years. She has served as a high school coach, a youth coach, a travel team coach and an umpire. She volunteered her time as vice president of the Georgia Lacrosse Foundation women’s division and co-chair of youth umpire development within the Georgia Women’s Lacrosse Umpire Board. Williams is known in her community for making a difference in the lives of young girls lacrosse players through her zealous approach to coaching and teaching. She is also active in growing and diversifying the game. Williams leads a lacrosse introduction program with the Boys & Girls Club of America through US Lacrosse’s Georgia chapter.

Boys’ Coach of the Year
Alex Poole – Carrollton, Texas
Poole, a former Maryland men’s lacrosse player, has been the Episcopal School of Dallas’ boys’ lacrosse coach for the past five years. In that time, his communication, passion for the game and ability to motivate his players has yielded great results. Poole also demands sportsmanship from all of his athletes. He is known as a teacher and a mentor to his players, encouraging positive sportsmanship and positive reinforcement. Poole treats everyone with respect and insists parents and players do the same. He works diligently to promote the game at the youth level, working tirelessly to teach kids the skills and attitudes necessary to be successful in the sport. Since Poole has been the coach at the Episcopal School of Dallas, lacrosse participation has doubled – an amazing feat in a state where football is king.

One for All
Mattie White – Long Valley, N.J.
The "One for All" award honors a young adult who has given unselfishly of his or her time and talent to help grow and build lacrosse awareness. Mattie White, only a junior in college, is known as a role model to her teams that she coaches in the Del Val Charges Junior Lacrosse Club. Fun, effort, sportsmanship, teamwork and respect are all lessons that she teaches her players, leading by example. Her teams are known not only for their excellent playing ability, but their respectful conduct on the field. Opposing coaches commend White on her positive and encouraging coaching on the sidelines. Mattie White truly embodies the passion and spirit of lacrosse.

Outstanding Youth Official
Bert Smith – Grand Rapids, Mich.
This award is given annually to an exemplary member of the "third team on the field" who embodies the characteristics of an ideal role model, teacher, and mentor supporting the US Lacrosse mission and vision and seeking to maintain a high quality of experience for all on his or her field. Bert Smith has officiated youth lacrosse for over 24 years. He has officiated all levels of the sport, including youth, high school, college and post-collegiate club. As a youth official, Smith uses the games as an opportunity to teach players, coaches and parents about the rules of the game. On and off the field Smith is known for being a role model, teacher and mentor.

Program Administrator of the Year
James Donovan – Lyndhurst, N.J.
Donovan has been involved with the Maplewood Junior Lacrosse Club since 1987. He has served as head coach, team scheduler and chief administrator. He has also served on the board of trustees for the New Jersey Junior Lacrosse League from 1991-1999. In that time, under Donovan’s guidance and leadership, the league grew into one of the largest in the United States. He oversaw the division of the program into North and South leagues. Donovan additionally served as coach and coordinator of local U-13 and U-15 teams and as co-chair for the Code of Conduct and League Rules committee.

US Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is the national governing body for men’s and women’s lacrosse. US Lacrosse has more than 250,000 members in 60 regional chapters around the country. Through responsive and effective leadership, US Lacrosse strives to provide programs and services to inspire participation while protecting the integrity of the game. To learn more about US Lacrosse, please visit www.uslacrosse.org.