By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
October 11, 2012-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is excited to announce that Michael Passantino of the Our Lady Star of the Sea Bears has been selected as the Boys Recreation Coach of the Year. Mike has been coaching this Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL) team for the past five years.
Mike has coached the Bears from the SIYSL Division 4 up to their current place in Boys-Under-9, Division 2. Three of the mothers from the team nominated Mike, including Teresa Marino, who wrote, “He teaches the boys that winning is not everything but to give their best shot and work as a team. The team has stayed together and the families have become one big happy family thanks to Mike and his great way if coaching and the comfort and happiness of the kids who play for him. He never yells or shows favoritism. He is fair and gives each child an equal opportunity for positions and time on the field.”
“I could not imagine anybody but Mike coaching my son in a sport that he loves to play and Mike has made that possible with his own love of soccer.”
Mike is now being considered for Region 1 honors as well.
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 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.