Written by Greg Andrulis, Head Coach of the George Mason Men's Soccer Team

FAIRFAX, Va. - "Success to me is having accomplished something, then going and accomplishing something else, and then when you do that, you accomplish something else. Each time you try to have more success, you go to zones of life that people only dream of."

- Nick Bollettieri, IMG Academy

It may be no coincidence that Richard Edgar spent part of his young life at IMG, with our U-17 National Team's soccer program. This is the same site that produced tennis prodigies like Andre Agassi. If famed tennis coach Nick Bollettieri knew Richard Edgar, he would know that Richard is a prime example of building on success.

Richard Edgar has succeeded on the field, in the classroom, in the community and perhaps most importantly as a leader and mentor. His soccer accomplishments speak for themselves. At the collegiate level, he has started every game of his career! He has been a member of our all-conference team every year, and has been the recipient of numerous awards for his soccer accomplishments. Prior to joining Mason, Richard was a member of our U-17 National Team and our U-15 National Team. He was an All-American for all three years of his high school career. He has succeeded at every level of his soccer career and his future looks brighter than his past.

One of the reasons Richard was only a three-year All-American is because he graduated in three years from high school with a 4.0 GPA and was valedictorian of his class. As a collegiate student-athlete, Richard has continued his academic success. He has been a member of the dean's list each semester at George Mason. His academic accomplishments have been recognized by Mason and by the Colonial Athletic Association. In 2008, he was named the CAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year for men's soccer. Richard will graduate from George Mason University this December with a bachelor's degree in psychology. He is a strong candidate to be a NSCAA College Scholar All-American this year, having been named to the regional team in 2008.

As a person of strong character and incredible leadership abilities, Richard is a shining example of all that is good about sport and student-athletes. His parents, Cathy Jo and Richard Edgar, are incredible people who have instilled authentic values and a positive sense of self that is truly remarkable.

Richard's positive effect on the lives of others is not only felt on the soccer field. Richard was diagnosed with type 1, or juvenile diabetes, when he was 11 and just beginning to show his promise as a soccer player. Juvenile diabetes is a challenge for any person who is diagnosed; it is a life-long journey that dramatically changes your life. Since people with type 1 diabetes can't produce their own insulin, they must inject insulin into the bloodstream through injections or an insulin pump. In order to determine how much insulin is required, Richard must test his blood sugar on a regular basis via a finger prick, often as much as seven-to-eight times a day; more often on game days. The finger pricks are used to draw blood so that he can test his blood sugar.

We may have concerns about getting a seasonal flu shot or be afraid of needles, but Richard lives with injections and needles. As a part of his daily existence, he has to manage his diabetes on a daily, even hourly, basis. It is how he lives and wards off the complications of diabetes. Can you imagine that so far in his lifetime he has had more than 20,000 needles and finger pricks? The complications of unregulated blood sugar levels can lead to serious damage to the heart, nerves, kidneys, eyes and other parts of the body. Insulin is not a cure for diabetes but a necessary part of Richard's survival.

Richard has been active in helping raise awareness and valuable research dollars for diabetes research. Richard and his family are sponsors of a "Diabetes Walk" in his hometown, an event that galvanizes his local middle school and community. Richard has participated in numerous clinics and always is available to parents and young people in need. The best part of Richard's journey with juvenile diabetes is the shining example he is to the hundreds of thousands of other type 1 diabetics and their families.

Arthur Rubinstein once said, "If you love life, life will love you back." Richard Edgar is a person who not only loves life, he is a shining example of how to live it, all while battling a difficult disease. Richard is living his life to its fullest with CLASS!

Please help us recognize this great young man by voting for Richard Edgar for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award at http://www.seniorclassaward.com/vote/mens_soccer_2009.