The José A. Alvarez Award annually recognizes the outstanding Hillsborough County High School soccer player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of athletic and academic excellence.
The recipients epitomize great leadership ability combined with diligence, persevervance and hard work. The first year of the award was 1985.
“I hope I have been a positive influence on your life and hope what we have done in the past will help you in the future. Always remember to give of yourself to help others.”
- Jose Alvarez
Letter to past soccer “sons”
About Jose A. Alvarez – A Man For Others
Throughout Jose Alvarez’s life, he was always giving: his enthusiasm, his passion, his faith, his wealth, and his love.
When he coached soccer for almost 30 years, he taught his players to always give their all. He taught them to never give up. He taught them to be team players, to be happy, and to believe in themselves.
His positivity and confidence he had in his “kids” allowed them to have confidence in themselves. Not just on the soccer field, but also in life in everything that they did.
When he felt there was a lack of backing by Hillsborough County for an award for the best male and female soccer players of the year, they told him that if he wanted to sponsor it and pay for it himself then they would allow it.
He pushed for it and got it. 30 years later, there are 60 different winners of this award in Hillsborough County recognizing them not only for their playing ability but their abilities in the classroom, their leadership and their social and community involvement.
When his son Steven’s coach quit in the middle of the season, Jose decided to take on the responsibility of coaching the team. All while coaching his other 2 sons already, Kevin & Ryan, being the president of the league B.A.Y.S.L, and being on the Board of the “A” league ASCOWF and running a successful CPA practice.
We would like to continue his giving spirit. His love for children and sport were intertwined. We would love to continue his giving and good deeds by allowing us to continue this great award, have the ability to help others who may be in need thru sport, and help the CJD foundation continue their work in helping find a stop to this progressive, fatal disease that took Jose’s life much too early.
Donations can be made to:
Jose A. Alvarez Memorial Fund
605 Apollo Beach Blvd.
Apollo Beach, Florida 33572
OR