Jack Sullivan, known as "Mr. Soccer" in Hawai'i, will be the first from the state inducted into the American Youth Soccer Organization's Hall of Fame.

Sullivan was an integral part of AYSO in its early years in Hawai'i, helping to publicize and promote it. His involvement in AYSO had a profound effect on all levels of soccer in Hawai'i: at the prep, collegiate, and recreational and professional leagues.

"I never played a game in my life," Sullivan said. "I missed that part, the joy of playing. But I have as much joy being a part of it as playing. I get joy from seeing the development of soccer."

Sullivan will be honored by the National Annual General Meeting in New Orleans, La., May 25. The next day Sullivan and his wife Mary Kay celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary.

"A long time ago I heard of the soccer Hall of Fame, and I said, 'Wow, what a place!' " Sullivan said. "Who would imagine I would be a part of it?"

As an inductee into the "Volunteer" category of AYSO's Hall of Fame, Sullivan will be honored at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, N.Y., as part of the Big Three Inductions (AYSO, National Soccer Coaches Association of America and National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association).

"The last three inductees (into the AYSO Hall of Fame) were Brandi Chastain, Julie Foudy and Joy Fawcett," Sullivan said. "And me? I can't believe it."

In other AYSO soccer honors, Alan Heu, a long time contributor, won the AYSO National Spirit Award.

Mark Stewart, the former Section Seven (Hawai'i) director, is on the AYSO National Board of Directors and is in the running for president of AYSO National.

TRESCHUK, SCOTT ON PRO SOCCER TEAM

Honolulu's Kenji Treschuk joined Maui's Zach Scott on the Seattle Sounders roster a few weeks ago, joining a short list of Hawai'i soccer players playing professionally.

Hale'iwa native Brian Ching plays for Houston and Kapolei's Duke Hashimoto is with Real Salt Lake, both Major League Soccer teams. The Sounders are a United Soccer League First Division team.

Former Honolulu resident Mati Bishop, media relations director for the Sounders, is the color commentator for the Seattle team. You can hear him and catch games of Treschuk and Scott on www.usllive.com for $5 per game or $50 for the season.

15 TEAMS QUALIFY FOR SOCCER REGIONALS

Fifteen teams qualified for the U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Regionals in Las Vegas, Nev., June 18 to 24, at last month's U.S. Youth Soccer Hawai'i State Cup.

GIRLS

Under 12: Ka'oi Rampage. Under 13: Ka'oi Express. Under 14: Real 93. Under 15: HSC Bulls 92. Under 16: Leahi 91 Premier. Under 17: Leahi 90 Premier. Under 18: Leahi 89 Premier.

BOYS

Under 12: Abunai 95. Under 13: Hawai'i Rush 94 Nike. Under 14: Hawai'i Rush 93 Nike. Under 15: HSC Bulls 92. Under 16: HSC Bulls 91 (Real 91, wild card entry). Under 17: Maui United Hurricanes. Under 18: Real 89.

The Under-19 qualifier for boys and girls is May 26 to 28 at the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Complex.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.