NEW YORK – Major League Soccer named New England Revolution midfielder Zak Boggs as the 2011 MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year on Wednesday.
Boggs received the award for volunteering his time in assisting with cancer research at Children’s Hospital Boston. The hospital’s cancer research laboratory will receive a $5,000 donation from MLS W.O.R.K.S on behalf of the Revs midfielder.
Boggs finished first in voting conducted with members of the media, MLS players and club representatives. The other two finalists were San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski, who finished second, and Houston Dynamo midfielder Brad Davis. Kansas City’s Kei Kamara and Seattle’s James Riley rounded out the top five.
Each week, under the supervision of Dr. Marsha Moses, Boggs volunteers in the hospital’s research laboratory, assisting in efforts to identify potential cancer diagnostics and prognostics and cancer-indicating proteins in the body. He is also a regular visitor at the Children’s Hospital during the Revs' monthly team visits. Boggs was also recognized for his efforts earlier this year as the MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Month for June.
Boggs graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in biomedical sciences and was nominated as a Rhodes Scholar candidate. He began volunteering at the Moffitt Cancer Center and the Shriners Hospital in college before transitioning to the Children’s Hospital Boston when New England drafted him in the second round in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft.
After making nine appearances and scoring two goals as a rookie, Boggs started 16 games under former New England manager Steve Nicol in 2011, contributing one goal and one assist in 1,348 minutes on the field.
Michael Parkhurst is the only other Revolution player to win the award. He earned the honor in 2006.
Seth Stammler of the New York Red Bulls was the MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year in 2010.
About MLS W.O.R.K.S.
MLS W.O.R.K.S. is Major League Soccer’s community outreach initiative dedicated to addressing important social issues affecting young people and serves as a platform for both League and club philanthropic programs. MLS W.O.R.K.S. seeks to establish Major League Soccer as a leader for improving the lives of people through sport.
