The Florida Youth Soccer Association honors Boca Raton’s Bob Rollins for his service to Florida’s youth soccer community.
BOCA RATON, Fla. (Aug. 14, 2023) – Long a pillar of Boca Raton’s youth soccer programs, Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District Commissioner Bob Rollins recently received recognition on a much larger scale.
On August 5, 2023, during its annual meeting in Orlando, the Florida Youth Soccer Association inducted Rollins into its Hall of Fame.
“It was something I never expected,” Rollins said, “You don’t do things like this – work with these programs – to get accolades. You work with kids to teach them the game, teach them teamwork, teach them how to be good sports.”
Established in 1987, the Florida Youth Soccer Association’s Hall of Fame recognizes people for their promotion of the sport, contributions to the growth of the game, service as a role model, and standard-setting for future generations.
A President with the Beacon Group insurance agency, Rollins warranted induction not only for his on-pitch soccer contributions, but also his organizational guidance and expertise.
“With his professional career in insurance, the expertise that he’s lent to FYSA over the decades has really just been invaluable,” said Joel Dragan, FYSA Executive Director. “People talk all the time about free legal services, but Bob has lent free insurance expertise to the Association during a time that type of information has never been more valuable.”
Rollins became one of only 30 people inducted into the FYSA Hall of Fame.
Approaching his third decade as a Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District Commissioner, Rollins championed youth soccer in Boca Raton for nearly 40 years. He started coaching his son’s team, later became the president of the Soccer Association of Boca Raton – Florida’s largest soccer club – and has served as SABR’s treasurer for 20 years.
He’s also been a referee at the recreational, travel and high school levels.
“There is no one I know who deserves this recognition more and I’m humbled to have called him my friend for many years,” District Commissioner Susan Vogelgesang said. “Congratulations, Bob!”
To Rollins, one of the most rewarding aspects of his longevity comes from attending games and seeing players who he once coached. Many of those former players, who still refer to Rollins as ‘Coach,’ are now coaching their own sons and daughters – extending the legacy of excellence Rollins helped create.
“That’s where the satisfaction comes in,” Rollins said. “It’s just great giving back.”
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ABOUT THE GREATER BOCA RATON BEACH AND PARK DISTRICT: The District is committed to the acquisition and development of parks and recreation facilities. It seeks to provide entertaining and engaging leisure, educational, athletic and cultural activities to all of its residents and guests. The District owns multiple recreational facilities and/or parks in the Boca Raton area, including Sugar Sand Park, Patch Reef Park, the Swim and Racquet Center and Ocean Strand. In addition, through interlocal agreements with the City of Boca Raton, it funds the operating expenses of the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Red Reef Park, Spanish River Athletic Facilities and Mizner Bark Dog Park.
