Donald H. McElhone (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2026

Donald H. McElhone (1942-2003) immediately fell in love with soccer when he began coaching in 1976 for FPYC rec leagues.

He led the Fairfax Sundancers, assisted by John Dolansky, to the 1980 Girls U14 Virginia State Cup Championship and the VISTA Sundancers to the 1982 Girls U16 Eastern Regional Championship. 

He built Chantilly High School’s girls program and coached ODP teams in Virginia and Maryland. A lifelong student of soccer, Don earned his USSF “C” coaching license in 1994 and encouraged players to “Be There” for others and to become coaches.

An advocate for girls soccer, he served as WAGSL Rules & Discipline Chair and as the first VYSA Girls Commissioner. He founded the Virginia Independent Soccer Team Association (VISTA) in 1981, presided for 20 years, and developed Kincheloe into a soccer park.