December 13, 2010
WNEC women's soccer coach Ron Dias receives prestigious Larry E. Briggs Award
LUDLOW, Mass. - Ron Dias of Western New England College received the prestigious Larry E. Briggs Award for contributions to soccer at the Pioneer Valley Soccer Officials Association (PVSOA) Banquet on Friday (Dec. 10) at the Polish American Citizens Club.
Dias has a 209-131-17 record in 17 seasons as the Golden Bears' women's soccer coach. He led his team to a 13-9 record this fall, including a 10-3 mark for third place in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC). His team also competed in the post-season Conference Championship and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England Championship.
Dias, a native of Ludlow, won his 200th all-time match with a 2-1 victory at Wentworth on September 21. He is a member of the school's Downes Athletic Hall of Fame and the second Golden Bears' coach to receive the Briggs Award. Former WNEC men's soccer coach Bill Downes was the 2005 recipient.
The PVSOA awards the Larry Briggs Award to the person who exemplifies the high standards and contributions to soccer over a long period of time.
Larry Briggs is recognized throughout the United States as the "Father of Soccer Officiating." He coached the UMass men's soccer program for 39 years (1929-67) and founded the PVSOA in 1947, and later the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association in 1964.
Briggs was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame as a Builder in 1978, Coach in 1991, and Official in 2000.
Dias has a 209-131-17 record in 17 seasons as the Golden Bears' women's soccer coach. He led his team to a 13-9 record this fall, including a 10-3 mark for third place in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC). His team also competed in the post-season Conference Championship and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England Championship.
Dias, a native of Ludlow, won his 200th all-time match with a 2-1 victory at Wentworth on September 21. He is a member of the school's Downes Athletic Hall of Fame and the second Golden Bears' coach to receive the Briggs Award. Former WNEC men's soccer coach Bill Downes was the 2005 recipient.
The PVSOA awards the Larry Briggs Award to the person who exemplifies the high standards and contributions to soccer over a long period of time.
Larry Briggs is recognized throughout the United States as the "Father of Soccer Officiating." He coached the UMass men's soccer program for 39 years (1929-67) and founded the PVSOA in 1947, and later the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association in 1964.
Briggs was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame as a Builder in 1978, Coach in 1991, and Official in 2000.
