In Loving Memory

The Indigenous Soccer Cup is deticated in loving memory of Vaughn Aldrich Lujan. Vaughn was born March 25, 2006 and passed on April 19, 2008 after a brief illness. In his short life he demonstrated a powerful love for soccer. Vaughn’s parents would often find him dribbling a ball through the house and scoring goals. His determination was evident, even at such a young age.

Vaughn’s father, Arron Lujan (Kiowa/Taos), grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico. As a former Professional soccer player and Chair of the Native American Soccer Coaches Committee, Arron has kept his love for the game, coaching soccer at the collegiate level for the past seven years. After serving as the assisitant coach for Princeton University’s men’s soccer team, Arron was soon named head men’s soccer coach at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA.

As a lifelong player and coach, Arron has always recognized the positive impact that the sport of soccer can have on the lives of children, both on and off the field. It is the Lujan family’s wish that Vaughn’s spirirt and love for soccer live on through the Indigenous Soccer Cup and that Native American children are always able to find a similar joy through the beautiful game of soccer.

In that spirit, Arron and his wife, Heather, have asked friends and family to make contributions to   SYS and the ISC. Those funds will be used to provide other Native American children with the opportunity to benefit from the game of soccer for years to come.