The Charleston Battery are thrilled to officially announce the winners of the 2023 Club Awards.
The slate of awards includes the Lou Salvatore, Sr. Players Award (voted on solely by the players), the Betsy McAdams Award (voted on by club management, candidates include members across the whole organization) and the Tim Hankinson Most Outstanding Player Award (voted on by the fans).
Lou Salvatore, Sr. Players Award: Derek Dodson
Dodson was selected by his teammates as the player who best exemplified the attitude, reliability, consistency, and character that were vital to the team’s togetherness, on and off the field. Derek was the only player on the Battery to start every USL Championship match (34) and logged a team-high 3,043 minutes played (seventh-most in the league). He led by example in the effort and professionalism he brought each day, match, and training session, and on and off the pitch.
The honor is named after Lou Salvatore, Sr., a down-to-earth, loyal, family man whose motto was “work hard and be good.” As an avid sports fan, he always gravitated to players who demonstrated the qualities of the award.
Betsy McAdams Award: Bobby Weisenberger and Amanda Gorman
Bobby and Amanda were selected as co-winners by club management as the organization members who best displayed exemplary qualities of the game of soccer, community involvement, sportsmanship and contributions to the club.
Amanda first joined the Battery’s front office in 2015 and has been a staple to the club’s front office and ticketing operations. Her positive attitude, friendliness and willingness to go the extra mile has been integral to the success of the club and the team’s relationships with their supporters and Season Members. Additionally, Amanda single-handedly championed bringing the club’s ticketing operations into the digital age with the implementation of SeatGeek’s user-friendly platform to the club.
Bobby has been the club’s athletic trainer since the 2010 season, looking after the squad’s health week in and week out. Bobby’s care and compassion extend beyond the field of play. He’s been called on to step up and save lives, including during an incident at the Charleston International Airport during a routine trip to Louodun. He was called into action to administer CPR to a traveler who collapsed in the terminal, ultimately helping to save their life once paramedics arrived.
Amanda and Bobby are dedicated to making an impact by providing first-class service both in the stadium on match days and in the community of Charleston. Bobby and Amanda are true representations of Betsy McAdams and of the value of the Charleston Battery.
The award is named after Betsy McAdams, a co-founder of the club and former Battery COO, who passed away in 2009 after a courageous battle against cancer. McAdams was inducted into the USL Hall of Fame (Class of 2010) as a Builder. In addition to players, both club staff and supporters are candidates for this honor.
Tim Hankinson Most Outstanding Player Award: Leland Archer
Archer won this award after securing 32% of the fan vote. In his sixth season with the Battery and the longest-tenured player on the squad, Archer was an important fixture in the Battery’s defense that tied for the league lead in shutouts (12). Leland recorded team-highs in clearances (140) and blocks (15), along with 77 duels won, 19 interceptions and one goal in Championship action. Additionally, Archer developed into one of the team’s core leaders, donning the captain’s armband in the final 13 matches.
The award is named in honor of club co-founder and the first Battery head coach, Tim Hankinson. Coach Hank was a pioneer in American soccer whose career spanned over 40 years and touched numerous clubs at various levels in addition to his time in the Lowcountry.
Congratulations to Derek, Bobby, Amanda and Leland on their awards and thank you for all you have done this season!
