DJ playing for the LIJSL Select Program as a boy and, in the inset, pictured today.
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
September 3, 2014-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is kicking off a Personality of the Month to honor our members who have distinguished themselves on and off the soccer field. Our honoree for September is Don (DJ) Corrao, who on July 7 was named as the new head coach of the Assumption College men's soccer program in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Division 2 Greyhounds finished 5-8-2 last year. At the age of 25, DJ is one of the youngest college head coaches in any sport in the United States.
"It's really special to have this opportunity at Assumption College and I look forward to leading a great group of young men," DJ commented.
"I would like to welcome Don to Assumption College as our men's soccer head coach," said Director of Athletics and Recreation Nick Smith. "I am impressed by his knowledge and passion for the game and I think he will do a great job to build on the foundation that we have in our program. Our goals are to excel on the field, in the classroom and in the community and I am excited about the future of our men's soccer program."
DJ grew up playing in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL). The Commack resident started playing in the Commack Soccer Club, then competed for the Huntington Boys Club Arsenal.
DJ also played three summers with the LIJSL Select Program. "Those were great opportunities to play with new teammates and really start to develop as a player," he stated.
School-wise, DJ competed for the Friars of St. Anthony's High School and the Fordham Rams.
After graduating from Fordham, DJ started coaching in the LIJSL's Garden City Centennials Soccer Club. He then coached LIJSL teams for Storm Academy under the tutelage of David Price. "For me, the time that I spent there helped me to really understand what it takes to be a coach."
Continuing to advance, DJ then became the Director of Soccer for the LIJSL's Village of the Branch Soccer Club in 2012 at the age of 23.
DJ was also the member of the staff at two Long Island colleges. He served as the Director of Operations for the men's soccer program at Adelphi University for the 2010 and 2011 seasons as the Panthers advanced to the 2011 Atlantic Soccer Conference championship game.
He also worked as an assistant coach for Molloy College in 2012 and '13. He played a key role in community relations and fundraising for the program and was responsible for all aspects of recruiting, training and academic planning for the student/athletes, which prepared him for taking over the program at Assumption.
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.