RICHMOND, VA – (Monday, June 16, 2014) – The Richmond Kickers and the Spence family were pleased to honor Peter Coiley with the 2014 Avery Spence Youth Community Service Award during halftime at the Kickers pro game versus Wilmington Hammerheads Saturday night. Established in memory of Kickers youth player, Avery Spence, who was tragically killed in an automobile accident on May 1, 2011, the Avery Spence Youth Community Service Award was presented to Coiley based on criteria including exemplary volunteer involvement, commitment, leadership and athletic and academic achievements.
“Peter is an extremely motivated individual who knows the true value of hard work and perseverance,” commented Chris Thompson, Richmond Kickers U18 Boys Classic Head Coach. “Whether it is in the classroom or on the athletic field, Peter is always working harder to improve. He inspires confidence in others and the high demands he puts on himself, rubs off on them. His teammates recognize his passion and desire and push themselves further than they would if he wasn’t amongst them.”
A member of the Richmond Kickers travel program since 2010, captaining his team the past three years, Coiley has led his team to several successful tournament appearances. While his inspiration is evident on the field, Coiley’s greatest contributions come off the field. In addition to volunteering regularly with the Boy Scouts, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout with 7 palms, he has donated nearly 1,000 volunteer hours to Impact Richmond, Caritas, the Central Virginia Food Bank, Gordon Elementary School, and the Order of the Arrow.
As a four year member of the varsity soccer team at Monacan High School, Coiley was Academic All-District all four years from 2011- 2014 and was named 2014 All Conference Second Team his senior season. In football, Coiley was named 2013 Virginiapreps.com 4A First Team All-State Specialist as the starting kicker. In the classroom, Coiley received the 2014 President’s Education Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement, the 2014 Governor’s Certificate of Recognition as a member of the Early College Scholar Program, and the 2014 Social Studies Award for AP Government.
Coiley is a member of the National Honor Society, a Chesterfield County Outstanding Youth Award recipient, a U.S Marine Corps Athletic Achievement Award recipient, as well as the winner of a Congressional Award Bronze Medal. Continuing his education at Virginia Tech this fall, he is the son of Jerry and Marian Coiley.
