Name: Louise Waxler
Job description: 13th year as director of the Columbia Invitational Soccer Tournament, conducted each Memorial Day weekend by the Soccer Association of Columbia/Howard County. Coordinates services, fields in county and at Fort Meade for nearly 300 youth teams -- about 4,800 players -- from mid-Atlantic states and elsewhere. Budget about $300,000. Staff of 100-plus volunteers. Negotiates with vendors, obtains sponsorships.
Age: 51
Residence: Hickory Ridge village, Columbia
Personal: Born in Pittsburgh, health/physical education major at Slippery Rock State University. Husband Richard and daughters Jamie and Lindsay (a player at Arkansas). "Growing up, we didn't have soccer, so I played field hockey." Began playing soccer indoors in Pittsburgh in 1983; began coaching after move to Columbia a year later. President, Integrated Sports Management Inc.; clients include the Washington Area Girls, Columbia Classic, and Kicks Against Breast Cancer Women's Intercollegiate tournaments, Maryland Soccer Camps for girls and boys, and Pete Caringi's All-Maryland Soccer Camps, Southern Soccer Academy. Chairsince 1995, Women's Committee, National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Sub-regional director, Region I (Northeastern states) for U.S. Youth Soccer Association. On SAC/HC board since 1989.
Best part of Columbia tournament job: "Showing up at the fields and watching games with thousands of kids playing. And Monday, when we break the fields down, we know that thousands of kids have spent a great weekend in Columbia playing soccer. There's nothing like it."
Biggest challenge of job: "Planning what we have to do. It's the coordination of the volunteers, the staff, and all the details that make the tournament successful so that when Saturday comes, the fields are lined, the referees are on the field and the equipment is in place. It's also important that we are gracious hosts to the teams that come here from throughout the country. We want them to feel welcome and know they are important in this event."