Nominated by
Shayne Hernandez
June 11, 2017
Todd Maria is the head coach of the Lost Souls Rugby Club. He co-founded the team along with three rugby mates who shared a common vision; to build a socially-based team with a philanthropic purpose. In four short years, through recruitment of both talent and character, this small movement has grown into one having a big community impact.
The team's mission is to provide an environment of inclusion for the promotion and development in North Texas. The Lost Soul Rugby Football Club welcome players of all ages, backgrounds,sexual orientation, and athletic ability. The Lost Souls have been voted Best LGBT Sports Team by Dallas Voice readers four years running.
Saturday may be a "rugby day” but Todd makes sure the teamwork extends into other days of the week as well by seeking out and organizing volunteer opportunities. Last summer, a school supply drive stocked the shelves for an entire classroom of low income children. The Lost Souls hold an annual canned food drives which helps stock the shelves at Dallas Resource Center's Food Pantry. Each year you can find the Lost Souls players and their loved ones serving Thanksgiving lunch at The Resource Center. The team’s annual Ugly Sweater Toy Drive was hugely successful this past holiday season as they were able to ensure all students (nearly 600) at a local elementary school (Adelfa Botello Callejo Elementary) received a toy. This spring Todd, spearheaded a book drive to promote literacy at the aforementioned elementary school where they were able to collect more than 350 book for students.
It's is a pleasure to nominate Todd Maria for consideration as a recipient of the Awesome Awards Program.