enypr

Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League Enters Its 81st Year With Important Additions For 2014

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

January 2, 2014-The giant soccer ball came down in Times Square ushering in a new year. 2014 is the 81st year of existence for the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL), founded in 1933 and the most historic youth soccer league in not just the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) but in the entire United States. The league, with teams in all five boroughs of New York City, is happy to show off a new website that can be found at http://www.cjslsoccer.com/

The improvements do not end with cyberspace, though. The CJSL is proud to announce a new Under-7 coed development league that will be kicking off this spring. No scoring, no standings plus T-shirts and medals for all participants. Games will be 6 vs. 6 with Pugg goals. The schedule and game format will be decided by the clubs and the registration fee is only $200 per team.

In an effort to improve the safety of youth sports, the CJSL will be conducting a Concussion Seminar in partnership with NYU Langone Medical Center on Thursday, January 23 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the Smilow Seminar Room at the facility: 530 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016. Dinner will be served and the seminar is free for any CJSL club. This educational coaches’ workshop is presented by Dr. Dennis Cardone, DO, and Brian Im, MD. Dr. Cardone is co-director of the NYU Langone Concussion Center and is also the medical director of New York City’s Public School Athletic League (PSAL). Dr. Im, a member of the Concussion Center team, is a physiatrist specializing in brain injury and is a clinical assistant professor at NYU School of Medicine. For CJSL clubs to register, click here.

The CJSL is also happy to announce a discounted rate of $350 for this spring, 50% off the regular fee, which includes player registration plus players and coaches passes. Clubs new to the CJSL will have to register at least two teams and current clubs can enter any number of teams.

"From a new website to Under-7 play with no scores kept to working with NYU Langone Medical Center plus offering team discounts, the CJSL is thrilled to make these important additions," said Dimitrie Draguca, who succeeded Burt Wilkes as CJSL President in 2013.

For information about the most historic youth soccer league in the United States, please contact President Draguca at cjsl.president@gmail.com

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 11 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.

How They Got Here?

The stage is set for the highly anticipated 2023 US Youth Soccer National Championship in the vibrant city of Orlando, Florida. A culmination of talent, perseverance, and unwavering dedication, this prestigious tournament promises to showcase the best young soccer talents across the nation. Let's take a closer look at the incredible journey of the twelve Eastern NY clubs that have earned their place in this grand event.

Five of these teams emerged as Eastern Regional Champions in Loudon, Virginia only a few weeks ago to continue their quest to a National Championship. Read about their inspiring stories at the links below.

> Stony Brook LGN Wildlings

> Dix Hills Ultimatum

> FC Somers Arsenal

> Middle Country SMBC

> Gunners Soccer Academy

Each team brings a unique story, filled with countless hours of training, sacrifices, and unwavering commitment. The remaining teams, including Force FC, FC Somer Lady Hammers, NY Hota, Brentwood SC, South Shore FC, Patriots FC, and NY Premier, secured their spots by finishing atop their National League P.R.O. Divisions.

> National League PRO Qualifiers

The journey of these twelve teams is a testament to the resilience and passion nurtured by youth soccer, inspiring aspiring athletes to pursue their dreams on the grandest stage.

As these talented teams take to the field, we wish them the best of luck, but let us not forget that it is the journey that has brought them here, shaping them into the champions they are today.

WATCH LIVE STREAMED GAMES >>

OMM/World Class ’99 Patino Win the State Open Cup Championship For the Second Consecutive Year

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

June 7, 2013-In a final game between two Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League (HVYSL) teams, OMM/World Class ’99 Patino defeated Quickstrike FC ‘00s, 3-1, in the Girls-Under-13 State Open Cup final to bring the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) championship back to Rockland County for the second consecutive year. The final was played on June 1 at Stringham Park in LaGrange.

Amanda Mustafaraj, Isabella Patino and Rebecca Van Siclen scored the goals for the two-time champions.

"We’re getting all the players back healthy and we played our style, which is to possess the ball and have fun, and I thought that was the difference in the game," said OMM/World Class coach Alex Patino.

OMM/World Class will play at the Regionals from June 28 to July 2 at the University of Rhode Island. Eastern New York is donating $2,000 to the team and paying all expense fees for the Regionals.

Quickstrike received the Howard Rubenstein Sportsmanship Award as selected by the game officials. Now living in Ohio, Mr. Rubenstein was seemingly involved in every facet of New York soccer for decades and is a member of the Halls of Fame of Eastern New York, the US Amateur Soccer Association and the Long Island Junior Soccer League.

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. Eastern New York 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. Eastern New York 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.

Dix Hills Hurricanes Win Their Third Consecutive State Open Cup

Dix_Hills_Hurricanes_for_Web

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

June 9, 2016-As US Youth Soccer National League champions, the Dix Hills Hurricanes of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) have already qualified for the national championships this July in Frisco, Texas. But they added their third consecutive State Open Cup with a 3-0 win over the Pleasant Valley Cobras of the East Hudson Youth Soccer League (EHYSL) on June 4 at Stringham Park in LaGrange.

Leo Musacchia scored on a penalty kick for Dix Hills and Ethan Homler added two late insurance goals while keepers Mark DePasquale and Nick Gabiria shared the shutout in goal to bring the Boys-Under-16 Livio D’Arpino Cup back to Dix Hills. D’Arpino was a beloved Vice President of Eastern New York who was involved in seemingly every level of local soccer before his untimely passing in 2002.

“We were patient with our style of play of keeping the ball on the ground,” said Dix Hills coach Jose Luis Rebay. “After the first goal, they pressed to get the tying goal and it opened up opportunities for us to capitalize on.”

After the match, all the Dix Hills players signed the game ball and gave it to Sal Pugliese, whose brother plays on the team. Sal is currently physically-challenged after going through multiple surgeries.

“We played the game today in Sal’s honor,” added Coach Rebay.

Dix Hills also added the Howard Rubenstein Sportsmanship Award, as determined by the game officials, to their overflowing trophy case.

As Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) champs, Dix Hills will be playing for the Regional championship from June 30 to July 5 in Barboursville, West Virginia and Eastern New York will help pay for their costs.

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 11 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 onto http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

How Playing Soccer in Italy’s Serie C Led to Gelato in Williston Park

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

July 27, 2017-Life can sometimes take you on a very sweet turn. Native New Yorker Allen Aingorn was playing professional soccer during the 2004-05 season for Como in northern Italy in Serie C, two levels below Serie A teams such as Juventus, Inter and Milan. He fell in love with gelato when he hung out at the team owner’s gelateria.

Allen_Aingorn_for_Web

Allen eventually put his pro soccer career on ice and returned to New York, where he became a partner of Baci Gelato in Williston Park 12 years ago. This past February, he took over sole ownership of the gelateria and renamed it dei Coltelli Gelato & Sorbet to honor Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli, the Sicilian chef who first popularized Italian ice cream at his Café Procope in Paris in 1686. There is a large sign in the gelateria about dei Coltelli’s life. At dei Coltelli, virtually all the ingredients, except for fresh fruit, are imported from Italy.

Dei Coltelli sponsored Nassau County Executive Cup college showcase soccer that was played at Cantiague Park on Saturday, July 22.

Allen grew up in Roslyn, playing central midfielder in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) for the Port Washington Strikers and New York Hota Bavarians, both coached by Roby Young. His New York Hota team won the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) State Open Cup in 1999.

It was then off to Penn State and later New York University, where he played for both college teams. He spent summers playing for the New York Pancyprian Freedoms of the United Soccer Leagues (USL).

Upon graduating from NYU in 2003, he went to Hungary to play for Heviz in the First Division, one level below the country’s Premier Division, then made what turned out to be a very fateful decision to play in Italy.

Since his return to New York a dozen years ago, he has played for Mineola Portuguese, Shamrock Rovers and New York Polet Over-30 of the Long Island Soccer Football League (LISFL). He currently is on the Cosmopolitan Soccer League’s New York Pancyprian Freedoms Over-30 team.

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 11 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 onto http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

Rockville Centre’s Josh Levine Named Best Goalkeeper in ODP Thanksgiving Interregional

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

December 12, 2012-Congratulations to Joshua Levine of Rockville Centre, a member of the Olympic Development Program (ODP) of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). Josh was named best goalkeeper in the 1998 age group while competing for Region 1 at the US Youth Soccer ODP Boys Thanksgiving Interregional in Casa Grande, Arizona from November 24 to 26. ODP is considered the highest level of competition in all of youth soccer.

Josh also plays for South Side High School where he was one of two freshmen to make the varsity team this fall. In the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), Josh has played for the Rockville Centre Revolution since the team’s inception at Boys-Under-10.

"Josh is a gifted athlete with good size, strength and surprising agility to match," commented Revolution coach Cameron Livingstone. "He is a committed player who reads the game well, is eager to learn, demands a lot of himself and urges the best from his teammates. I always marvel how Josh would make a spectacular save on a shot that everybody thought was a sure goal––psychologically deflating opponents while inspiring his own team."

This Revolution side takes its name from the original Rockville Centre Revolution team that was in the news in 2001 when their 41-year-old coach, Steve Tighe, was killed in the World Trade Center on 9/11. Cameron took over coaching the Revolution after that tragedy.

"The original Revolution was a great group of boys and, for me, an opportunity to try to continue the level of development and love of the game that Steve imparted," commented Coach Livingstone. "As that team finished high school and my own son began travel soccer, we named the new Under-10 team the Revolution. It is an honor and legacy that I always remind the boys of, especially when we have a game at Tighe Field."

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.

Eastern New York Continues Its Video Series––Week 4: Interview With Longtime Pro Chris Wingert

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

May 27, 2016-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) continues its unprecedented video series educating soccer parents with an interview with longtime Major League Soccer player Chris Wingert.

Chris comes from Babylon and grew up playing in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) with the clubs in North Babylon, Deer Park and Commack and for Eastern New York's Olympic Development Program (ODP). He must like patterns as he played for four years for St. John the Baptist High School, winning the state championship in 1996 and ’98, then played four years for St. John’s University and made the national final with the Red Storm in 2003. Chris always did well both academically and athletically and received a LIJSL Scholarship because of this and is the only Academic All-American to be honored with the Hermann Trophy (2003), soccer’s version of the Heisman Trophy, plus also received the NSCAA Scholar-Athlete Award.

In Major League Soccer, the now 33-year-old has played for the Columbus Crew, Colorado Rapids, NYCFC and has had two tours of duty with Real Salt Lake, his current team. He has also represented the United States internationally with different age groups, playing primarily at the Under-23 level, and had one cap for the US Men’s National Team, against Sweden in 2009.

“I’m just happy to still be playing (professionally),” Chris explained. “I love the game and I feel that I will be involved with it for the rest of my life."

The video is linked here:

Part of Chris' advice is “to play as much as you can without getting burned-out. If you get in a lot of good soccer environments, that’s only going to help you and the more you play, the better, but you still have to find a balance. I played a lot of different sports growing up and I think that helped me. It was a balancing act trying to find how much I could train and push myself without going overboard and making sure it was still enjoyable.“

Eastern New York consulted with Kevin L. McCrudden to produce the video series with Aurora Productions of Huntington, Long Island. McCrudden is an international author and speaker, known as “Mr. Motivation” and “America’s CMO – Chief Motivation Officer,” Publisher of Soccer Long Island Magazine and Founder of the Long Island Soccer Player Hall of Fame, as well as an alumnus of both the LIJSL and Eastern New York.

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 11 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.

Ray Wolfe Honored as a Life Member by the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

Ray_Wolfe_for_Web

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

August 17, 2017-Up until the recent Annual General Meeting of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), we had six people who had been honored as Life Members—Jack Bauman, Chuck Blazer, Peter Collins, Herbert Heilpern, Peter Masotto and Howard Rubenstein. At the meeting in Nanuet on August 5, the Eastern New York Board of Directors unanimously passed honoring Ray Wolfe as a Life Member and adding his name to this very esteemed list.

“We are very happy to honor Ray Wolfe,“ commented Eastern New York President Richard Christiano. “He gave tirelessly of himself for decades as a player, coach, referee and administrator. With Ray, it was always about the kids!“

The native of Ridgewood, Queens started playing for the Kolping Soccer Club and B/W Gottschee in the German-American Soccer League, now called the Cosmopolitan Soccer League (CSL). As a young father, Ray coached his son, Ray Jr., playing for B/W Gottschee in the CSL’s junior circuit, the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL). Michael is his other son.

Ray began a stellar career as a referee in 1985 after he and his family moved to Franklin Square, Long Island. He quickly moved up the ranks from pee-wees to Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) youth games to amateur, professional and international matches. Ray officiated the World University Games in Niagara Falls in 1993 and did so well that he was assigned both a semifinal and the final. Two years later, he served as an assistant referee for the United Soccer League’s nationally-televised championship game.

He also excelled as a high school and college ref and was honored as the 2000 Official of the Year in the New York Metro Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (NYMISOA).

Ray volunteered for many years as a Trustee for the New York Soccer Referee Association. In 2009, he received a promotion to State Youth Referee Administrator (SYRA), and tirelessly canvassed the Empire State to develop Eastern New York’s youth referees until his retirement earlier this year.

It has been said that beside every good man there is a good woman and the Wolfe family is no exception. Ray’s wife Hilda was a longtime Eastern New York staff member who was honored as the 2002 Region 1 Administrator of the Year. Both Ray and Hilda have been inducted into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame and this is a rarity as just one other husband-and-wife team, Phil and Bessie Lamonica, are Eastern New York Hall of Famers.

Ray was also honored as Eastern New York Personality of the Month this February, upon his retirement from soccer. May our dear friend, who passed away on July 11, rest in peace!

Bill Smith Honored By Staten Island Youth Soccer League

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Bill_and_Maureen_for_Web Association

June 22, 2021-The Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL) was set to honor President Bill Smith at the Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis Senior Night on May 26 at the Owl Hollow Soccer Complex but it was rained out just as the ceremony started. Smith was also honored at a dinner on June 11 at Millie’s of Staten Island along with outgoing Secretary Maureen Motley.

Smith is retiring as SIYSL President at the end of June and he will be replaced by First Vice President Rob Libertelli on July 1. Libertelli has some big shoes to fill as the following highlights occurred during Smith’s 16 years as SIYSL President:

• A high enrollment of 6,000 players registered across the borough.

• Creation of the SIYSL Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner in 2007.

• Creation of the SIYSL’s Staten Island Soccer Club, the loop’s travel organization.

• Creation of a recreational summer league for high school players, which usually has an enrollment of 300 kids.

• Creation of the Beach Soccer Tournament.

• Creation of the Owl Hollow Soccer Complex, built in conjunction with NYC Parks thanks in part to a $450,000 grant by former Congressman Vito Fossella

• Creation of a permanent SIYSL office, located across the street from Miller Field at 704 New Dorp Lane.

• Incorporating independent soccer clubs into the league, including New World Prep, Markham Intermediate School and the Islamic Cultural Center.

“Obviously, Bill put in a tremendous amount of volunteer time to create and execute all of these things for the league,’’ SIYSL Third Vice President Rich Nellis told the Staten Island Advance. “He spent a lot of hours to make sure things came to fruition for the kids and I think it really says something that he’s had a tenure as long as he has and he was able to make so many things happen.’'

Smith, inducted into both the SIYSL Hall of Fame and Eastern New York Hall of Fame in 2014, will continue as First Vice President of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). He will also remain active with the Richmondtown Soccer Club that his children used to play for and now it’s where his grandchildren play.

With approximately 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. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Former East Fishkill SC President Karen Shogren Honored as Personality of the Month in Eastern New York

Karen_Shogren_for_Web

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

August 11, 2015-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that longtime volunteer Karen Shogren is being honored as our Personality of the Month for August. This is her month as she was also the honoree for the 2015 Goals for Hope Tournament which benefited breast cancer support and was played on Saturday, August 1 at Stringham Park in LaGrange. 29 women’s teams participated and the tourney has raised over $400,000 in its 12 editions.

“We chose Karen as our honoree because she is an inspiration and role model to countless numbers of people in the soccer community and beyond,” commented Goals for Hope Co-Chairwoman Mary Darcy Schanz. “Along with being a wife and mom, Karen is a friend to many and selflessly extends herself into the community. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 and it barely slowed her down. Our world needs more people like Karen.”

Karen started playing soccer with her three older brothers when she was nine years old and has been involved since. She played youth soccer for HBC of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), then played collegiate soccer for one year at Stony Brook University. It was then on to coaching.

“Before having any of my own children, I coached soccer for the Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation program while serving overseas,” she stated. ”When my oldest child was old enough to join a team, I started volunteering for our local soccer club, East Fishkill, in southern Dutchess County.”

Karen served the past five years as President of the East Fishkill Soccer Club and did not seek re-election this past June. She will continue to serve the club as the travel program secretary. Prior to being the club President, the Hopewell Junction resident volunteered as club secretary, intramural program director and intramural program division leader.

East Fishkill, one of the largest clubs in the East Hudson Youth Soccer League (EHYSL), has 1,400 players with a 60/40 split between boys and girls. Karen also founded the club’s TOPSoccer Program in 2010 and continues to volunteer with the program made up of eight Special Children and 15 volunteer buddies.

If that wasn’t enough, Karen volunteers for the EHYSL, serving as a member of the Board of Directors for nearly a decade and coaching EHYSL’s Academy Program.

“Karen has worn many hats in service to our youth soccer players for many years. Karen has served as a coach, referee, Club President and Board Member as well as volunteering as an Age Group Coordinator on East Hudson’s Board of Directors,” commented EHYSL President Jim Purdy. “She is one of those special people who lets her actions lead the way and gets the job done. All of this soccer stuff is squeezed in and around Karen’s dedication to her family and her church.”

Karen coached Haldane High School’s Girls JV team for three years and is switching to the Pine Plains Central School District Girls Modified Program this September to be closer to her “real job” at the Taconic Retreat and Conference Center in Milan, where she is director of the day camp in the summer and works with the gift shop, hospitality and recruiting volunteers during the school year.

“I am just one person who cannot do it alone. There are so many people who have helped me with the programs I volunteer,” Karen stated. ”I guess the biggest accomplishments are the times I get to watch the kids play the game in a safe, fun way. Between the Friday night pick-up games, the TOPSoccer players and buddies, still running around the field on my women's indoor team and watching my three children play, those precious little moments add up to success.”

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 11 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.

From left to right, Miriam Shogren, Su DeMan, Karen Shogren, Clark Shogren, Mark Shogren, Addison Shogren at the Goals for Hope Tournament

« Previous Page