Class of 2025 Regional Award Winners – Florida Region of USA Volleyball

Eustis, FL – March 17, 2025 – The Florida Region of USA Volleyball is excited to recognize several outstanding members for their dedication and commitment to furthering the sport of volleyball. Countless hours go into coaching a team, managing a club, attending clinics, earning certificates, organizing events, growing the game, and improving our Region each year. This year, the Florida Region will be presenting twenty-four (24) awards at the 2025 Florida Region Awards Ceremony. The ceremony will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL on May 1, 2025, at 6:30 PM ET, alongside the 2025 ASICS Florida Volleyball Challenge tournament.

Below is a list of the 2025 Scholarship Recipients (in alphabetical order):

Bruce Perry Volleyball Ambassador Award – Sue Wainio
Ernest Langford Pioneer Award – Gordon Mayforth
Extra Mile Award – Joya Teter
Extra Mile Award – Luke & Monica Ewalt
Meritorious Service Award – Donna Beasley
Most Improved Juniors Club – Tampa United Volleyball Academy
Outstanding Adult Referee (Ben Jordan Golden Whistle Award) – Robert Owen
Outstanding Club Director – Nicholas Behrens, Elite Sports
Outstanding Junior Coach – Altone Williams, Tribe Volleyball Club
Outstanding Junior Coach – Aaron Phillips, Winter Park Volleyball Club
Outstanding Junior Coach – Miguel Dapena, Florida Gulfside Volleyball Academy
Outstanding Junior Coach – Eric Marshall, Gainesville Juniors Volleyball Club
Outstanding Service Award – Gear4All Foundation
Outstanding Service Award – Terry & Barb Small
Florida Region Hall of Fame Inductee – Maria Hardwick
Florida Region Hall of Fame Inductee – Landon Thomas

In addition to the 2025 award winners, the Florida Region officials that advanced to Jr. National or National during the 2024 season will also be recognized and presented with their official customembroidered jacket:

Cristina Gonzalez, National Referee
Fernando L Ortiz-Boria, Junior National Referee
Giovanna Corona, Junior National Referee
Mineily Rivera, Junior National Referee
Gabriel Mercado Junior National Referee
Ariadna Cruz Fernandez, National Scorer

The Executive Director and President of the Florida Region, Kurt Esser, commented, “As my first Awards Ceremony as Executive Director, I am thrilled to celebrate the incredible individuals who have made such a significant impact on the sport of volleyball in the Florida Region. This event is an opportunity to recognize their dedication and hard work, and I am excited to be part of this special evening. Alongside honoring our award recipients, we will also be presenting scholarships to deserving high school seniors, supporting the continuing education of these young athletes through their upcoming college careers. This would not be possible without the generosity of our partners, and I’m looking forward to sharing this unforgettable night with our volleyball community here in the Florida Region!”

Additionally, this annual event is where the Florida Region awards scholarships to the very deserving high school seniors that are selected. Last year, at the 23rd Annual Awards Ceremony, over $131,000 in scholarships were presented to high school seniors in the Region. The scholarship program began in 2007 with only four high school seniors receiving scholarships, and thanks to our generous sponsors and partners, the Florida Region has been able to grow the scholarship program and award over $876,100 to 306 students!

Click the link below to learn more about this event and to purchase tickets! https://www.floridavolleyball.org/regional-awards-ceremony.html

About Florida Region of USA Volleyball

The Florida Region of USA Volleyball is a 501c3 non-profit that began operations in 1977 and was officially incorporated in 1982 to promote the sport of volleyball and to create competitive playing opportunities for volleyball enthusiasts of all ages throughout the State of Florida. The Florida Region is one of the 40 regional volleyball associations under the umbrella of USA Volleyball and currently serves over 20,000 members. Indoor, outdoor, and para programming is available for adults, juniors, coaches and officials. The Florida Region of USA Volleyball is headquartered in Eustis, FL. Since 2007, the Florida Region has been able to award a total of $876,100 to 306 student-athletes through the Florida Region Scholarship Program. Additional information on the Florida Region can be found at: www.FloridaVolleyball.org

For additional information contact:
Kris Cifelli, Marketing and Social Media Coordinator Florida Region of USA Volleyball, Inc.