By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
October 12, 2023-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is mourning the loss on October 8 of Marco Malusa, one of the co-founders of the Glen Cove Junior Soccer League in 1969. It is believed that Marco was 88 years old. The first Glen Cove travel team, a Boys-Under-19 side, played in the fledgling Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) that had been founded three years earlier.
Marco, who was inducted into the LIJSL Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Eastern New York Hall of Fame in 2010, was irreplaceable in making Glen Cove soccer what it is today. Besides being a co-founder of the club (along with Bill Doyle), he co-founded the intramural program with his wife Marie in 1975.
“Marco has done it all,“ explained Club President Martin Shannon before the 50th anniversary celebration in 2019 that honored Marco. “He was the treasurer, the registrar, a coach, a referee and most importantly, a lifetime board member. He's been present at board meetings and on the field for all 50 years of the club's existence. To this day, he still participates and offers his guidance and wisdom.“
Beneficiaries of the club Marco helped found are thousands of boys and girls during the past five-plus decades including notable players such as Roberto DeLuca, Mike Grella, Danny Mueller, Stephen Mueller and Peter Zaratin, who all wore Glen Cove’s red-and-white uniforms while growing up playing in the LIJSL. The Marco Malusa Sportsmanship Award is given annually to Glen Cove High School soccer players who display the highest standards of Fair Play.
Marco’s son, Marco Malusa Jr., stated, “He loved his soccer and spent many, many evenings with ENYYSA and various New York soccer organizations. He was very proud of his work with ENYYSA, the LIJSL and Glen Cove."
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 10 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. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/