By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
May 25, 2021-There are many wonderful people who make up the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and today we highlight another one as we write about Marty DiCola, who will soon be retiring from soccer.
“I first became involved in soccer when my son Joe tried out for a rec team in the town of Cortlandt. His coach, Roger Arnold, was a friend and teacher in the district. He asked me to be his assistant coach in 1988 if memory serves me,” explained Marty.
The Cortlandt Soccer Club was founded in 1993 and Marty volunteered as its President from 1995 to the present. As this non-profit organization has decided to field its final travel team, the Cortlandt Soccer Club is making donations to the scholarship programs of its league, the East Hudson Youth Soccer League (EHYSL), and to start a scholarship for the ref org that serves it, the Hudson Valley Soccer Referee Association (HVSRA).
Marty served as a referee from 1994 to 2007, retiring as a State Referee. But the Cortlandt Manor resident is probably best known as a coach, serving as both a youth coach for the Cortlandt Soccer Club and two tours of duty with Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) from 2000 to 2010 and from 2016 to 2019.
“Since I was introduced to the greatest game on earth, I was taken and knew this was my path to be involved in youth development. I found myself constantly learning as much as I could about the game. I began playing every Thursday night and Sunday morning as well as becoming a successful referee,” Marty stated. “I have attended US Soccer’s B, C, D, E and F license programs over the many years I have been involved. This journey in soccer has given me a very satisfied feeling that I have given back to the youth soccer community over the years. I still have contact with many of the players who played for me, now many are adults with children of their own.”
Added EHYSL Treasurer John Hayes, “Everybody loves Marty!”