Indiana University Athletics
Rawson Honored with Inaugural Jerry Yeagley Award
1/26/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Jan. 26, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Former Indiana men's soccer assistant coach and one of the groundbreakers for the IU program gaining varsity status, Don Rawson, was presented with the inaugural Jerry Yeagley Award for Exceptional Personal Achievement at the National Soccer Coaches Association (NSCAA) of America Convention in Philadelphia on Jan. 21. The distinction is presented to a college men's or women's soccer player (past or present) who has demonstrated exceptional personal achievement amid extraordinary accomplishments that transcend normal expectations and who was an example and inspiration to his or her teammates and university.
The award was established by the Indiana University Foundation in cooperation with the NSCAA to honor Jerry Yeagley and to recognize individuals that represent the characteristics he has demonstrated his entire life. The six-time NSCAA National Coach of the Year saw the Hoosier program elevated to varsity status in 1973 after serving as the head club coach since 1963. In his 31 years at the helm of the Hoosier program, Yeagley led Indiana to six national titles, including his final season in 2003. When he retired following the 2003 campaign, he was the all-time winningest Division I head men's soccer coach with 544 career victories.
Rawson played four years at IU under Yeagley with the final two being the first two seasons of varsity play. He was a member of the first IU team to make the NCAA Tournament as the Hoosiers went during his senior season. Following his playing career at IU, Rawson served as an assistant coach at IU for a combined 14 years. He was an assistant from 1975-83 and 1987-92. During that time, the Hoosiers went a combined 273-41-24 with nine College Cup appearances and the program's first three national titles.
Since 2000, Rawson has been the Executive Director of the Indiana Youth Soccer Association where he has helped to develop a model for recreational program, as well as a statewide league for the competitive programs. Additionally, he is a member of the Indiana Youth Soccer Hall of Fame and became the first Vice President of the Indiana Youth Soccer Association. He has an USSF "A" License for coaching and attended the first-ever NSCAA coaching academy and received his Advanced National Diploma.
Following his first stint at Indiana as an assistant coach, Rawson was the regional marketing manager for adidas. While with adidas, he helped develop the Scholastic All-America program with the Intercollegiate Soccer Association of America, which has grown into one of the NSCAA's most positive awards programs.
In 1992, Rawson organized the United States-Canada Olympic qualifying game in Bloomington. He also was the director of operations for the World Cup site in Chicago from 1993-94.
