Kevin Stott named as 2023 Terry Vaughn Match Official of the Year
In January, the inaugural Terry Vaughn Match Official of the Year award was presented to Kevin Stott at PRO’s preseason camp.
The new award was introduced last year and is open to all roles – referee, assistant referee, and video match officials – employed by PRO. It is voted for exclusively by officials in PRO’s senior match officials’ group and PRO2, who collectively proposed the nominations for their colleagues who best epitomize the qualities of long-time MLS and FIFA Referee Terry Vaughn, who passed away in May 2023 after a courageous battle with Huntington’s disease.
Mark Geiger, PRO general manager, said: “Terry was an incredible ambassador for officiating who did so much for the referee community, both on and off the field. Naming this after Terry is a fitting way for us to continue to recognize the great contribution he made, and I was honored to represent the Vaughn family to present the award.
“On the field, Terry’s work rate to be in the optimal position and decision-making ability made him one of the best officials. He was approachable and always communicated professionally and calmly with the players, which earned him the respect of all the participants in each match.
“He was an incredible teammate who empowered each of the other officials to do their job and to contribute in a way that always benefited the game. Off the field, Terry was a coach and mentor to the other officials in the group, and he was always looking for ways to make each official the best they could be. He also gave back to the referee community at the grassroots level through his work with US Soccer and his academy in Iowa.
“There couldn’t have been a more fitting winner for the first award than Kevin, who worked his seventh MLS Cup in December and continues to inspire us all.”
Stott said: “Terry Vaughn was a man who exemplified excellence, on and off the field and was committed to developing referees. He was all about the family and focused on improving everyone as a team. He left our space a better place for us to work and forge our own ways.
“His legacy is something we will all carry forward and I would like to thank those who have created an award that recognizes everything Terry represented.
“I was humbled to be nominated, and I strongly believe that the shortlist of myself, Cam, Corey, Armando, and Victor, epitomized all of the characteristics Terry had as one man, between us. Any one of us was a worthy winner, and I am grateful to everyone who took the time to vote.”
2023 Terry Vaughn Match Official of the Year nominees:
Cameron Blanchard
Victor Rivas
Corey Rockwell
Kevin Stott (WINNER)
Armando Villarreal
May is #HuntingtonsDisease awareness month and PRO officials will be wearing blue HD wristbands to help raise awareness of Huntington’s disease.
Please click here to learn more about the Huntington’s Disease Society of America