Each year the Virginia Legacy Soccer Club and the Williamsburg Soccer Foundation awards up to $1000 in scholarship aid in memory of David Pickeral.   David was a travel player with the club, who passed away at age 16, suddenly on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2005.   David’s passing was subsequent to an injury he suffered while playing the game he loved.    A native and lifelong resident of Hampton, David was an honor student at Bethel High School.  David loved soccer and played with pride for the U18 Wizards Elite.  When his grandmother passed away, he took great joy in driving her 1994 Cadillac.  He also had a love for children which was displayed by the interest he took in working along the side of his mother at the daycare center "Friends in Jesus Learning Center."  

The David Pickeral Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a male or female player who intends on continuing his/her studies in college.  The applicant is not required to continue to play soccer in college.  The VLSC Board of Directors developed and oversees the application process.  A review committee appointed by the board will recommend the award of the scholarship.  The money must go towards tuition, fees, housing or books.  The applicants must have played for the Virginia Legacy Soccer Club for at least three years prior to consideration for the scholarship.

The Virginia Legacy is proud to announce the 2017 award winner is Axel Bax!  

Axel was with the Virginia Legacy since 2013 and was a long time member of the CCL team.  While pursuing colleges – he received an offer to play collegiate soccer at the College of Wooster in Ohio, but turned it down to pursue the one of the most rigorous possible academic programs at one of the nations top universities – Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. While attending JHU he will also be playing club soccer.  Axel was an all conference soccer player and team captain at Atlee High School in Richmond.  He also participated in Virginia ODP and also was an invitee to multiple US Soccer Futsal ID Camps. In the classroom Axel held a 4.55 GPA and was 10th in his class of 438.  He was accepted to some of the top schools in the nation (UVA, William and Mary, Vassar and Washington and Lee) but will choose to study Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University.  During his high school career he was also a member of National Honor Society, National Beta Club, National Latin Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars.

“We are extremely proud of everything Axel has accomplished.  He and his family will surely be missed at Virginia Legacy. Its always nice when players go on to play college soccer – but its especially gratifying when players take the "off the field” tools and traits we try to teach young players and apply them in a way that allows them to excel beyond the field –  in the classroom and in life – and achieve goals that will take them to the next stage of their young lives.” Bobby O’Brien – Technical Director

Axel had this to say about being named the 2017 recipient - "I came to the Legacy for the great coaches and strong development program, but it's the lessons on sportsmanship and teamwork I will remember forever. It was these lessons I learned as a Legacy player which helped me as a student. I am humbled to be a David Pickeral Memorial Scholarship recipient. Thank you Legacy.”

For more information on the David Pickeral Scholarship and the past winners – please visit the website here - http://www.valegacysoccer.com/travel/david-pickeral-memorial-scholarship