By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
August 16, 2018-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) congratulates Brittany Shaneberger, who is receiving a Jack Bauman Scholarship, which is based on success in high school as well as community service. The scholarship’s namesake, Jack Bauman, is considered the father of women’s soccer on Long Island. He was devoted to the Massapequa Soccer Club, Eastern New York and making sure that girls had as many opportunities to play soccer as boys did in an era when girls playing sports was not as accepted as it is today.
Brittany, a South Huntington resident, is the granddaughter of Livio D’Arpino, who volunteered for Eastern New York as Vice President before his untimely passing in 2002. Every summer, two worthy boys receive Livio D’Arpino Scholarships from Eastern New York.
”From the time I first began to walk, I could always be found with a ball at my feet. As the granddaughter of the late Livio D’Arpino, I have an inherited his passion for soccer. My grandfather never had the opportunity to see me play, but I take the field in honor of his legacy. Since joining my first team at age three, I’ve never missed a game,” Britanny wrote in her essay.
Eventually, Brittany found her way into goal, and helped lead the HBC Apaches of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) to the State Cup finals, the Long Island Rough Riders to the Super Y-League Nationals and Walt Whitman High School to its first playoff run in a decade, all while maintaining a 90% GPA. Additionally, she coaches teams and referee games in addition to starring as goalkeeper.
We wish Brittany the best as he starts studying and playing soccer at John Jay College in New York City this fall.
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.