By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
December 7, 2012-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Hilda Wolfe of Franklin Square has been inducted into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place at the 2012 Holiday Party on December 1 at Lido Restaurant on City Island.
Hilda has been an extraordinary presence in youth soccer for nearly four decades. During this time, she has served as Eastern New York’s Office Manager and has overseen the growth from a relatively small state association to a thriving organization.
"She began her career in soccer as a Soccer Mom and team manager 36 years ago when her boys began their playing careers, handling the usual assortment of registrations, hotel arrangements, etc. common to all busy travel teams," commented ENYYSA Treasurer Jim Eleftherion in the induction speech.
Mr. Eleftherion continued, "In 1985, she accepted a position in the state office supporting the member leagues and, within 18 months, became the Office Manager overseeing all areas of support to, what is today, 125,000 players and 25,000 volunteers. Since then, a hallmark of her service has been her unwavering dedication to our youngsters and making their experience in our great sport as rewarding as possible."
"Over the years, she has organized, traveled with and served as liaison to the teams competing in Nationals, administered the State Cup competition up to and including the weekend-long finals for all tiers, overseen all registration administration, organized and managed the logistics for our own meetings as well as for Executive Board members traveling to seminars, conferences and meetings plus served as primary contact for our member leagues. In recognition of her many contributions, Region 1 named her the Regional Administrator of the Year in 2002."
"Without her kind, calm demeanor and guidance, our State Association would simply not be what it is today. She is universally admired and respected by everyone who has the pleasure of working with her."
Congratulations to Hilda Wolfe!
With 123,843 youth soccer players––68,587 boys and 55,256 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 12 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 Special Children. 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.