From left to right, EYHYSL President Jim Purdy, LaGrange Soccer Club Past President Jeff Feldman and EHYSL Hall of Fame inductee Kieran McIlvenny
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
November 21, 2017-More than 80 East Hudson Youth Soccer League (EHYSL) volunteers gathered at Anthony's Catering in Hopewell Junction on November 11 to recognize some very special people at its annual Hall of Fame Dinner:
EHYSL Hall of Fame 2017 Inductee-Kieran McIlvenny, LaGrange Soccer Club
Kieran's involvement in youth soccer kicked off in New York in 1986 shortly after his arrival from Belfast. Since that time, Kieran has been a club coach and Director of Coaching, an East Hudson Academy coach, Olympic Development Program (ODP) North Girls Director, High School Coach of the Year and High School state champion coach (Arlington High School) and multiple Journal News Coach of the Year, including just announced for 2017. Kieran was recently selected to coach the East team in the 2017 High School All-American game on December 2 in Orlando and one of his high school players, Molly Feighan, will be on that team. Additionally, he was honored as the Personality of the Month by the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) last March. His many soccer achievements are even surpassed by his dedication as a husband and father to his family and in recent years founding the Kickin' Back program along with his wife Donna, which has sent thousands of needed items to people in Africa and now Houston after Hurricane Harvey.
Boys Travel Coach of the Year-Brian Horos, East Fishkill Soccer Club
Brian currently coaches multiple travel teams in his club while also serving as his club President. His dedication to his players and his club was evidenced by the glowing letters of recommendation for this award.
Girls Travel Coach of the Year-Marco Lovell, Town of Poughkeepsie Soccer Club
Marco was recognized by his team’s players and parents for his dedication to his team both on and off the pitch. His care and concern for his players on the field is tremendous but is surpassed by his actions with and for his squad, mentoring them academically, educationally and in life's lessons. Marco received the Girls Travel Coach of the Year from Eastern New York as well.
Administrator of the Year-Jim Bohrman, Beekman Soccer Club
In addition to coaching multiple teams in his club, Jim also serves as its club President. His service to his club ranges from lining fields, managing programs and club activities to securing portable lights so the club was able to play “under the lights” and extend practice times. Jim has also been a major supporter to the EHYSL, making his clubs fields available for the East Hudson Academy Program to use for training sessions.
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 11 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.