Chesapeake, Virginia – The Hampton Roads Piranhas are pleased to announce that the soccer club’s owner and president, Marcie Laumann, will be honored with a 2010 “Women in Business Achievement Award” by Inside Business, The Hampton Roads Business Journal. Ms. Laumann will be presented the award December 13 at a luncheon at the Waterside Marriott Hotel in downtown Norfolk, Virginia.
The 2010 Women in Business Achievement Awards are designed to celebrate women who have been successful in their business and careers, have made a significant impact on the business community and local economy and have served as mentors and examples to others.” 
A panel of judges reviewed many, many nominations before selecting the 24 women who will be honored at the luncheon and profiled in a special issue of Inside Business that will be published the same day as the event.
Ms. Laumann founded the Hampton Roads Piranhas in 1995 and where she has always served as President. The Piranhas are the oldest active W-League franchise in the United Soccer Leagues (USL), entering their 17th season in 2011.
Ms. Laumann is one of the USL’s most respected owners. In 2001 and in 2007, she was named the USL W-League Executive of the Year and in 2004 was inducted into the USL Hall of Fame. In 2003, the Piranhas were named the USL W-League Organization of the Year and in 2000, Ms. Laumann was honored with the Moylan Courage Award. She has served on the League’s Marketing Committee and for seven years, served on the USL W-League Executive Committee. In April, 2008, Ms. Laumann was appointed by the USL as the first Senior Advisor to the W-League.
“Marcie Laumann has been one of the pioneers and continues to be a leader within the USL W-League, the first national women’s soccer league in the United States,” said United Soccer Leagues President, Tim Holt. “Not only has she operated a successful women’s soccer franchise in the Hampton Roads area for the better part of two decades, but she also is a role model for aspiring female soccer executives through her achievements with the Piranhas and overall perseverance. Already a USL Hall of Fame member, we congratulate her on receiving yet another prestigious honor.”
“This is truly a deserved honor for Marcie,” said Amanda Duffy, Senior Director , USL W-League. “Having been entrenched in the Piranhas’ organization and the Virginia Beach community for two summers, I’ve directly benefitted from the passion, determination and knowledge that Marcie displays as the owner of one of our W-League franchises and as an ambassador of community service within the city of Virginia Beach,” she added. “The depth of commitment Marcie has shown to achieve and exceed standards is without a doubt shared by all those who have the opportunity to work with her, and both the USL and the city of Virginia Beach are fortunate to have Marcie as a role model and leader dedicated to making a positive impact personally and professionally.”
Ms. Laumann is also a strong community leader, having donated a great deal of time to local charities. She serves on the Virginia Power Soccer (soccer for power wheelchair users) board of directors, and spear headed the USL Hurricane Katrina Relief charity auction in 2005. She has organized and promoted fund raising events in Hampton Roads to benefit local groups including the Virginia Beach SPCA, Mary Kay Ash Foundation, American Red Cross, Food Bank of South Hampton Roads, and numerous youth soccer teams and public schools throughout the area. Marcie and her husband Doc, live in Chesapeake, Virginia.
For more information about the 2011 Hampton Roads Piranhas, please call 757-572-1592 or visit
www.hrpiranhas.com.
