Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad received Friday his second honor of the year for his off-the-field contributions to the Kansas City community.
MLS W.O.R.K.S., Major League Soccer's community outreach initiative, and the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the United States, announced Friday that Conrad and Chicago Fire midfielder Logan Pause were selected to receive the 2009 U.S. Soccer Foundation/MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year Award. This marks the first time that two players have shared the honor. Conrad was previously named Kansas City's Team Humanitarian of the Year.
Conrad will be available to media members Friday following the team's training session at Kansas City's Swope Park Training Center. Training will conclude at roughly 11:30 a.m. CT.
"It's an incredible honor to be thought about in these terms," Conrad said, "and I know my parents will be very proud of me."
"The best gift someone can give is themselves and their time," Jennifer Currier, Midwest Regional Walk Director for Autism Speaks said. "Jimmy is busy in the community, spreading awareness about Autism and promoting healthy activity among children. He honestly cares about the kids and helps them have fun at clinics and other events."
Conrad, who hails from Temple City, Calif., is an 11-year MLS veteran, five-time MLS All-Star and former MLS Defender of the Year. He continues to be active in philanthropic efforts throughout the Kansas City area and is being recognized as an exemplary role model within the community for his involvement with local schools, youth organizations and MLS W.O.R.K.S. initiatives. Conrad regularly speaks with students at local schools about teamwork and the importance of setting goals in presentations that he designed. Conrad was recently named to the Board of Directors for the Kansas City Zoo.
For a second consecutive year, Conrad served as a spokesperson for Athletes Against Autism and the Child Protection Center, actively partaking in efforts to raise money and awareness for the organizations. This season he participated in an appearance at the Kick It 3v3 Championships to raise awareness for the UN Foundation's Nothing But Nets campaign, and also raised funds for the campaign locally through autograph sessions in Kansas City.
Conrad also receives support for his philanthropic efforts from his wife, Lyndsey. While he is busy supporting community groups, Lyndsey, serves as the President of the Kansas City Wizards Wives Club. Their biggest project this season was a school supply drive at CommunityAmerica Ballpark called "Stuff the Bus." As part of the event, Conrad and his wife set up a soccer clinic for inner-city children with other MLS players. They donated school supplies collected during "Stuff the Bus" and spoke to the children about the importance of staying in school.
Conrad has won Team Humanitarian of the Year four times during his career, including three times for Kansas City. Conrad was first recognized with the award in 2002 while a member of the San Jose Earthquakes. Conrad has won the Kansas City award in both 2004, 2005 and 2009.
About MLS W.O.R.K.S.
MLS W.O.R.K.S. is Major League Soccer's community outreach initiative dedicated to addressing important social issues affecting young people and serves as a platform for both League and club philanthropic programs. MLS W.O.R.K.S. seeks to establish Major League Soccer as a leader for improving the lives of people through sport.
About the U.S. Soccer Foundation
The U.S. Soccer Foundation was established in 1994 to manage the surplus funds generated by the 1994 FIFA World Cup held in the United States. As the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the U.S., the Foundation has invested more than $51 million in the game, supporting hundreds of projects in every state in the country. The Foundation provides grants focused on developing players, coaches and referees and building or enhancing fields and soccer complexes, with a special emphasis on economically disadvantaged youth in urban communities. For more information, or to donate online, please visit ussoccerfoundation.org.
U.S. Soccer Foundation/MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year Winners:
2009: Jimmy Conrad - Kansas City Wizards; Logan Pause - Chicago Fire
2008: Jose Luis Burciaga Jr. - Colorado Rapids
2007: Diego Gutierrez - Chicago Fire
2006: Michael Parkhurst - New England Revolution
2005: Brian Kamler - Real Salt Lake
2004: Chris Henderson - Colorado Rapids
2003: Ben Olsen - D.C. United
2002: Steve Jolley - MetroStars
2001: Tim Howard - MetroStars
2000: Abdul T. Conteh - San Jose Earthquakes
