Marie Onorato Schweitzer

Marie Onorato Schweitzer (Player) - Inducted 2020

Marie Onorato Schweitzer is one of the pioneer female soccer players from Fairfax County.  As a founding member of Braddock Road Cougars, Marie began playing for WAGS in 1975. The Cougars played in the first WAGS Rael Vodicka Memorial Tournament that same year. Over her entire youth career as a center back, the Cougars claimed Virginia State Championships from U12 - U19, Regional Championships from U14 - U19 and earned National Silver Medalists during her senior year in high school.  During that span, Marie was also a member of the Virginia State ODP and Region 1 ODP.  Her role as central defender continued throughout high school as she played for Lake Braddock, earning team co-captain, MVP Defensive Player, All-District, All-Regional, and All-Met Player honors.  Marie was one of the first three players in history to receive an athletic soccer scholarship from Radford University.  Radford gained National recognition during her collegiate stint, where she started all four years, served as co-captain and garnered Most Valuable Player accolades as a central defender.  Radford retired Marie’s number in 1989 in recognition of her defensive contributions.   Since graduating in 1987, Marie entered coaching and has guided numerous teams in both the USL Northern Virginia Majestics (Super Y, Super 20, and W-league) programs and Mid-County/Northern Virginia Soccer Club recreational and travel teams.  In 2013 she received the Positive Coaching Alliance Double Dual Coach Award.  Marie continues to play in Coed Open and Women’s Open leagues and currently participates in Women’s National Cup competitions.  This past year she was selected to go on the first WAGS All Female International Coaching Education Trip to France for the 2019 Women’s World Cup. Marie is currently the Assistant Director of Coaching for Northern Virginia Soccer Club, a teacher and a coach.