By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
August 14, 2018-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Matthew Barresi is receiving a Livio D’Arpino Scholarship. The scholarship’s namesake was a beloved Eastern New York Vice President who was seemingly involved in every level of local soccer before his untimely passing in 2002. The award is based on success in high school as well as community service.
The Farmingdale resident plays for the Dix Hills Hurricanes in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) and the team is five-time State Open Cup champions, including winning the Boys-Under-16 Livio D’Arpino Cup two years ago. They have also been US Youth Soccer National League champions. Adding to his résumé, Matt has also played for the Olympic Development Program (ODP) of both Eastern New York and Region 1 and served as team captain at powerhouse St. Anthony’s High School.
Yet with all this soccer, the National Honor Society member received the St. Bonaventure Award for maintaining a 4.0 GPA and also received a LIJSL Scholarship.
Matt wrote in his essay, “I look at work as a privilege rather than an obligation or a necessity, which allows me to succeed. Whether it is grades in the classroom, skill on the pitch or just growing as a person, the opportunity to be able to build on those things is something I treasure. Since I was little, soccer has been my life, from the LIJSL, State Cup, Region 1 League, Eastern New York ODP, Region 1 ODP and National League. I have been to multiple states along with numerous countries to play and develop.“
We wish Matt the best as he starts studying and plays college soccer at American University 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.