Major League Soccer and the U.S. Soccer Foundation today announced that New England Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst was named the 2006 U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year and the New York Red Bulls were awarded the Team Humanitarian of the Year honor.
Parkhurst, 22, last season's Gatorade Rookie of the Year, is an active instructor in the Revolution's series of clinics supporting the world-famous Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. He went above and beyond his usual service to the community when Michelle Oaks, an 11-year old with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma could not make the clinic, which was being held in her honor. When Parkhurst found out Oaks was unable to attend, he delivered a personalized jersey and team autographs to her that morning before returning to teach at the clinic.
Additionally, Parkhurst created a special evening for children affected by the neuromuscular disease, where he signed autographs to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). The event raised $160,000 for the MDA's programs services in the Greater Boston area. Parkhurst also represented the Revolution at the Rhode Island Special Olympics' annual Sports Celebrity Carnival where he met with children and signed autographs to benefit the Special Olympics. He also makes frequent appearances in the Rhode Island youth soccer system, spending time at practices and town training sessions.
The New York Red Bulls were named 2006 Team Humanitarian of the Year, which they won by collecting more pieces of soccer equipment (15,254) for the U.S. Soccer Foundation's Passback Program than any other MLS team. The Foundation and its Passback Program are the charity of choice for MLS. At least one collection of new or gently used equipment is held on the Foundation's Passback Title night in each team's venue during the season. MLS teams collected and distributed 51,731 pieces of equipment this season.
Each team nominated one player for the U.S. Soccer Foundation's individual award. The other finalists were: Diego Gutierrez (Chicago), Juan Francisco Palencia (Chivas USA), Bouna Coundoul (Colorado), Jed Zayner (Columbus), Bobby Boswell (D.C. United), Richard Mulrooney (FC Dallas), Bo Oshoniyi (Kansas City), Cobi Jones (Los Angeles), Chris Henderson (New York), Seth Trembly (Real Salt Lake), and Craig Waibel (Houston). More information on the contributions of the 12 finalists can be found at www.USSoccerFoundation.org. A voting panel at U.S. Soccer Foundation selected the individual Humanitarian of the Year winner.
U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year Winners:
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
