Former New York Arrows player Doc Lawson will be among six individuals who will be inducted into the Long Island Soccer Player Hall of Fame on Feb. 26.
Ceremonies will be held at the Huntington Hilton in Melville, N.Y.
He will be inducted into the Hall, along with Peter Jianette, Nicky Megaloudis, John Lignos, Jean Varas and Mary Theresa Varas.
Lawson was one of the most celebrated Arrows players. He also was a member of the 1987 Major Indoor Soccer League champion Dallas Sidekicks and was a seven-time MISL all-star. He was a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team, which did not attend the Moscow Games due to a boycott, U.S. men’s national team (three caps). Lawson was also a bronze medal winner at the 1989 Indoor Soccer World Championships and was a three-time All American at Southern Connecticut State University.
A native of Liberia, Lawson probably has accomplished more after his playing career. He has served as a board member with U.S. Soccer, U.S. Soccer Foundation; U.S. Soccer cross culture committee, 1994 World Cup host committee and as U.S. Soccer Olympic representative. He is a missionary in Liberia, where he has brought water, built schools and soccer.
Peter Collins, the late president of the Long Island Junior Soccer League, will receive the Paul LeSueur Ambassador of the Game Award.
The Hall also will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Arrows, who won their fourth and final MISL championship in 1982.
“The Class of 2022 is an extraordinary example of the amazingly rich history of soccer on Long Island,” LISPHOF founder Kevin L. McCrudden said. “In the early days of men’s and women’s soccer in America, you can find the footprints of some of the greatest and most influential players in America on Long Island. Never mind one of the most influential people in American soccer history, Mr. Peter Collins. Truly one of the ‘founding fathers’ of youth soccer on Long Island and America.”
Added Hall executive director Jim Kilmeade: “The Long Island Soccer Player Hall of Fame not only represents world class athletes, but world class human beings. On behalf of our board of directors, we look forward to learning about their individual life stories and are honored to induct this distinguished Class of 2022. These seven individuals have collectively inspired and impacted the lives of thousands of young soccer players, coaches and fans across Long Island and the Country. We look forward celebrating the 1981-82 national champion – NY Arrows and the careers of Doc Lawson, Peter Jianette, Mary Theresa Varas, Jean Varas, Nick Megaloudis John Lignos and the man at the forefront of the sport on Long Island, Mr. Peter Collins.”
