By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
August 9, 2018-In selecting a Personality of the Month, the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) did not have to look far in honoring Trustee Mike Segreto for the month of August. Mike has volunteered on the Eastern New York Board of Directors for the past three years.
The St. George, Staten Island resident did not grow up with soccer as “it wasn’t very popular when I was growing up,” he explained. Mike became involved with the world’s most popular game, just like many other American adults, when his three daughters––Amanda, Kristen and Michelle––played. They started playing with the St. Joseph Hill Academy of the Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL) and Mike coached all three of his girls.
He then became coach at the St. Joseph Hill Academy Elementary School in 1994 and their Assistant Director of Soccer in 2002, serving in that role for a decade.
In June 2012, he was elected to the SIYSL Board of Directors and volunteers as Fourth Vice President for the league. That was also the year he was named SIYSL’s representative to Eastern New York.
It’s hard to think about how Mike has any free time as he volunteers on the Coaches Education, TOPSoccer, Breast Cancer Awareness and Senior Night committees in addition to being Games Chairperson for SIYSL and on the State Open Cup, Arch Cup, Eastern New York Premier League, Disciplinary and Office committees for ENYYSA. All while being an avid fan of the New York Giants.
SIYSL President Bill Smith commented, “Mike is the kind of guy who is all business and gets the job done. He isn’t into politics of the board, he is a worker and can always be counted on when you need a volunteer. He means a lot to the SIYSL.“
“I am a simple man who never played the game, but grew to love soccer through my daughters and as long I can, I will help keep our children playing,” Mike explained. "I would like to give a special thanks to my lovely girlfriend Fina, for her patience and support in my soccer life."
With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with nine leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.