Breakers' Angela Hucles Named Humanitarian of the Year

The U.S. Soccer Foundation, the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the United States, announced today that retired U.S. Women’s National Team star and Boston Breakers midfielder Angela Hucles has been selected as a 2009 Humanitarian of the Year award winner.

Hucles joins Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad and Chicago Fire midfielder Logan Pause as recipients of the 2009 honor.

Hucles, a two-time Olympic Gold medalist from Virginia Beach, VA and stand-out player during the Inaugural Season of Women’s Professional Soccer, has been active in philanthropic efforts throughout the year.

She serves as a spokesperson and active supporter for America SCORES New England, a non-profit which provides soccer and creative writing programs after-school for 650 Boston inner-city youth, and reaches hundreds more during summers.

Speaking at annual events and providing skill sessions to the youth of SCORES, Angela has a “rock star” status within the organization, and is truly valued as a friend.

Each Humanitarian of the Year is given the opportunity to select a youth program to receive a donation from the U.S. Soccer Foundation.  Hucles selected America SCORES New England and will donate 300 Kwik Goal soccer balls to SCORES’ Middle School poet-athletes as part of their "Voices" event on Nov. 19.

“Angela’s passion and commitment for providing children in vulnerable communities with opportunities to play soccer is truly inspirational,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “She’s achieved great success both on and off the field and serves as an example to others looking for ways to give back.”

"Angela is so deserving of this award!" said Anne Strong, Director of Strategic Initiatives of America SCORES New England.  "For nearly five years she has frequently given her time and personal warmth to inspire our aspiring student athletes to keep giving their all to soccer and to school."

Hucles’ service in the community has positively affected women and children from across the globe.  As an American Ambassador for the Brazilian chapter of Partners of the Americas, Hucles works to enhance life skill education for young girls through the game of soccer. Bonding with them through a sport they can relate to, her affect on the children is immediate.

In addition, Hucles serves on both the Women’s Sports Foundation advisory board and the Omega Institute’s Women in Power Conference, offering advice on everything from how to improve female athlete participation to discussing the effects of Title IX on generations past and generations to come.

Though Hucles announced her retirement from professional soccer in October, her influence in the community has only begun.

The previous story is excerpted from a Press Release by the Boston Breakers of the WPS.  What's News is the alternate profile of Bleacher Report writer Todd Civin and is used to repost Press Releases for the AHL, The WPS and the NY-PENN baseball League. Civin is a supporter of the award winning children's book A Glove of Their Own , which promotes Pay It Forward through baseball.

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