The legal team at BenGlassLaw has announced that Sydney Lojek is the recipient of the 2026 BenGlassLaw Referee and Umpire Leadership Scholarship. Lojek, an incoming student at Northwestern University, will receive $2,500 to support her upcoming academic year. This scholarship recognizes students with referee experience who have creatively applied that experience in professional settings, and Lojek's contributions to addressing the local soccer referee shortage stood out to the selection committee.
Lojek's journey into refereeing began as a response to a community need. When a shortage of referees threatened local youth soccer games, she stepped up to help, developing mentorship and leadership skills that have since become central to her character. Her dedication and community service impressed the BenGlassLaw team, aligning with the firm's belief that commitment to community and young athletes can significantly shape a professional career.
Beyond her refereeing duties, Lojek has demonstrated a passion for mentoring younger officials and fostering a positive environment for athletes. Her efforts have not only kept games running smoothly but have also inspired confidence in the players she serves. As she prepares to start her college journey, Lojek intends to continue officiating, having already researched youth soccer leagues in Evanston, Illinois, to remain active in the sport she loves.
In addition to her athletic involvement, Lojek is academically driven. While she has not yet declared a major, she is exploring interests in economics, legal studies, and the pre-medical track at Northwestern. This diverse range of interests reflects her ambition to make a broad impact in her future career. Her ability to balance rigorous academic pursuits with community service and refereeing showcases a maturity that bodes well for her future endeavors.
Refereeing has been a transformative experience for Lojek, who says, "Refereeing has been such a huge part of my life that I cannot imagine simply stopping when I go to college." This sentiment echoes the values of Ben Glass, the founder of BenGlassLaw, who has over 51 years of experience refereeing youth and high school soccer. Glass, who officiates around 50 games per year, sees refereeing as a platform for teaching leadership, responsibility, and handling pressure. He actively mentors young referees and authored "YOU, A Teenage Soccer Referee" to share practical advice from his decades on the field.
The BenGlassLaw Referee and Umpire Leadership Scholarship is part of the firm's broader commitment to supporting the community and nurturing future leaders. BenGlassLaw, a Northern Virginia-based law firm, specializes in personal injury, auto accident, and long-term disability claims, fighting for fair compensation on behalf of their clients. The firm's lawyers are dedicated to protecting clients' rights and helping them navigate complex legal processes.
The personal injury and disability lawyers at BenGlassLaw extend their congratulations to Lojek and wish her the best as she begins her collegiate career. They are confident that she will continue to be an asset to the communities she serves, embodying the values of leadership and service that the scholarship aims to promote. For more information about the scholarship and BenGlassLaw's community initiatives, visit their website at https://www.benglasslaw.com.
