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South Bronx United Executive Director Andrew So Honored as Eastern New York’s Personality of the Month

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Photo of Andrew So in the center with SBU Academy graduates Gnim Bazim on the left and Kevin Anchundia on the right. Photo courtesy of Hakim Kabbaj.

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

February 2, 2016-South Bronx United Executive Director Andrew So, who has changed lives in the poorest Congressional District in the United States, has been named by the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) as our Personality of the Month for February.

Andrew So founded the non-profit organization in 2009 in the South Bronx, along with his wife Stephanie, to build leaders and scholars through soccer.

“I started an afterschool soccer group at the school in the South Bronx where I taught. Through this experience, I realized two things,” Andrew explained. “One was students, many of whom had no prior interest in soccer, needed and longed for an out-of-school program where they could get off the streets, be with their peers and be supported in a safe environment. The second item was youth, primarily from immigrant families who grow up within a soccer culture, could greatly benefit from the chance to compete. Those skills and passion for soccer could provide opportunities in school, college and careers while also developing character and leadership.”

The seven boys travel teams of South Bronx United play in the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) while the three girls travel teams look to join the CJSL if the league resurrects its girls program. Over 800 kids from the South Bronx are registered in the club and they play on Randalls Island plus at Macombs Dam Park (the former site of Yankee Stadium), Mott Haven High School and South Bronx High School.

Along with Downtown United, another CJSL club, South Bronx United co-hosts the City Showcase Tournament every spring on Randalls Island which features teams from throughout Eastern New York. This year’s tourney will be played on March 25 and 26.

A highlight the past couple of years has been the play of South Bronx United SBU 98. After losing to Terryville AC Milan, 8-3, in the 2014 Boys-Under-15 Arch Capital Group Cup final, they rebounded with a 6-2 win over the North Shore Crush in the 2015 Boys-Under-16 Arch Capital final. And they looked good doing it for both finals appearances as all their players arrived at the Peter Collins Soccer Park in Plainview in white dress shirts and ties.

“The youth soccer club is one component of our programs and defines our organization as the primary way we reach and stay connected to youth who are otherwise underserved and often would not connect with other community-based youth organizations and youth service agencies,” Andrew stated. ”We are a youth development organization that merges the passion that South Bronx and immigrant youth have for soccer with off-the-field programs and services to better our community.”

Fields and funding are particular challenges and South Bronx United must raise over 95% of its budget to offer programs. The cost to families to participate is no more than $80 per child annually and it’s waived for many families who face immense financial hardship.

“Working with South Bronx and immigrant families is amazing because of all the unique characteristics, backgrounds and cultures everyone brings,” Andrew said. ”It is very challenging too. Parental involvement is low, because parents are very stretched by work and children and, for many, just making sure they can provide a roof and food. Some youth we work with do not even have any parents here to support them.”

The Manhattan resident used to coach but could not continue to concentrate on fundraising. He also once served as a CJSL Trustee when he had a bit more leisure time.

South Bronx United programs include academic enrichment, college prep, tutoring, mentoring, leadership development, immigration legal services and other social services. Through the SBU Academy, the organization provides a pathway from middle school to high school to college for the kids of the South Bronx. It’s working as 98% of SBU Academy players since 2012 have graduated high school compared to 56% of public school students in the South Bronx. Additionally, 97% of SBU Academy players had attendance rates over 90% and all were promoted to the next grade.

“A big accomplishment has been helping get 22 more South Bronx student/athletes, the Class of 2015, into college, including some very academically selective schools including Sarah Lawrence College, St. Lawrence University, Hobart College, Franklin and Marshall College, Clarkson University and more,” Andrew explained. “94% of our graduates over the past five years have enrolled in college, so that’s not new, but the academic quality of the schools they are attending is new.”

Last fall, another highlight occurred when 10 boys in a soccer program that South Bronx United runs with Catholic Charities and the South Bronx Health Center for unaccompanied migrant youth had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis in East Harlem and present him with a soccer ball.

“Without Andrew and his dedication, South Bronx United would not have become what it is today,” commented CJSL President Dimitrie Draguca. ”The program he has cultivated at South Bronx United should be a role model for all clubs as not only is soccer taught and trained there, but it has become a institution of education for the children.”

With all these accomplishments in one of the most impoverished areas in the United States, you can easily see why Andrew So is Eastern New York’s Personality of the Month.

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.

HBC Makes Quite an Impact as It Wins Its Third Consecutive State Championship

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

June 17, 2017-HBC Impact won its third straight State Open Cup when they defeated Stony Brook Surf, 5-1, on Sunday, June 4. This Girls-Under-17 championship game between two Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) teams was played at Stringham Park in LaGrange. Stony Brook did not leave the Hudson Valley empty-handed, however, as they received the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials.

HBC is in the middle of another amazing season as they went undefeated in the Eastern Regional Premier League and have conceded only three goals all spring. They have played in five State Open Cup finals, winning the last three years.

“Our success starts with a club president in Bill Rudy who really supports the team, gives us access to great fields to practice possession-based soccer on a regular basis so it’s not surprising to see HBC have multiple teams consistently in the state finals,” commented HBC Coach Billy Carroll. “Our administrator Kim Houlahan is the reason the team runs so smoothly. Our team would never be as successful if it wasn't for her. She does all the administration work but it's so much more than that. Kim is so experienced at this point, she takes care of issues and problems before they can manifest themselves. She is amazing with the girls, and is a large part of the reason the girls are so tight.”

Coach Carroll continued, “Most of these players have been with HBC for the last four years and through these last four State Cup finals. Anyone we've brought in has fit the idea of being a good soccer player, but more importantly a good person. We strive as a whole to be a team people can be proud of both on and off the field. They really play for each other, and for team success. We have a great group of parents who also support the model and the thought process of team first. We receive production, minutes and work from the entire roster. We are really proud of the girls, and the success they've had.”

Illustrating that everybody contributes, HBC had 16 different players score goals in Region 1 play or during the State Cup.

HBC will represent the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) at the Regionals, which they have won the past two years, from June 30 to July 4 in Spotsylvania, Virginia.

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.

Congratulations to Eastern New York’s Six Scholarship Recipients

The scholarships are based on academic and athletic success plus community service. Click on their names to read a bio on each of these winners.

Empire State Alleycats Win the Barry Salter Cup as Girls-Under-14 State Open Cup Champs

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

June 12, 2023-Empire State Alleycats defeated Asphalt Green, 6-2, to win the Girls-Under-14 State Open Cup championship on June 3 at overcast Stringham Park in LaGrange. The cup’s namesake, Barry Salter, volunteered as President of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) from 2006-10 as well as serving in the same role with the Westchester Youth Soccer League (WYSL). He was inducted into the Halls of Fame of both groups plus was present for the game and awards ceremony.

Alexis MacPherson scored a hat trick, Payton Galuski had two goals, Marianna Chudy added one and plus Ella Mullin had four assists.

Alleycats’ coach Valerie Daloia stated, “We stuck to our game plan and put the ball in the net.”

The Alleycats also received the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials. Amoroso, a US Soccer Life Member who died in 2016, started the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Sportsmanship Program in 1980 and it spread to Eastern New York, nationally and then to China and Ireland, amking soccer games kinder ans gentler in the process.

The State Cup was presented by LifeVac, the choking rescue device that has saved over 900 lives and counting.

The Alleycats will represent Eastern New York at the East Regionals from June 23 to 29 in Loudoun County, Virginia as part of the National Championship Series.

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 10 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/

Life Lessons and Sports…

By Tim Bradbury, Director of Coaching Instruction

I have written previously on the multi-sport culture and tried to balance both sides of the argument. I have always believed that in the right hands, team sports and dedication to training can help build character. I will, until I take my dying breath, believe that the lessons that can be learned from the sporting arena can help people deal with all life has to throw at them.

As firmly as I hold all the above to be true I also hold on to the belief that we increasingly place our players in ridiculous and immoral situations. Ones in which there is no winner, no one gets to feel good, and no social or moral development takes place.

At the center of this moral decline and at the focal point of the issues is the well meaning parent who has to have their child be the star on as many teams as possible. I grew up in a working class part of England and vividly remember the first time I asked for a pair of cleats, because I had made the soccer team. The fight between my Mom and Dad that I listened to from behind the bedroom door centered on how could they afford to spend seventy five pounds ( $125) on a pair of cleats for me, and not buy things for my three brothers. Perhaps the emotions of that discussion fused my ideas of what a TEAM means, and how I should take it very seriously. I think that all the discussions held with my dad after that time, centered around how seriously I should take the responsibility of being on a team, that he expected me at all times to do my best, to always practice, to be first at training and last to leave.

I do not believe I had a choice, being on a team, a team I had a try-out for and made would always be the holy grail for me, with all the sacrifices my family made, how could I ever believe differently?

I know that times have changed. I know that I now call America my home and am incredibly proud to be an American citizen. I also know that we have it wrong.

When being on a team means nothing more than this is where mom and dad drive me to, and how I spend my time, we have it wrong! How can being on a team mean anything? How can we expect our kids to take life lessons from sport when all we do promotes the opposite! At the start of the season, I have been amazed by how many players are missing league or cup games due to play off games in other sports. I wish I could hear the explanations in the cars and kitchens when the parents tell their kids which coach or team they are letting down. How do they justify it, how can it make sense? How can the team concept and all it holds; consistent effort, never giving in, never letting your teammates down, be held on high one moment, to be disregarded the next. How can we expect this generation of kids to get it right when so many parent actions scream loudly IT DOES NOT MATTER!

I see a moral decline and I read the newspapers with headlines full of stories of bullying, cheating in tests, fights at sporting events, parents attacking officials, and a generation that all to often seem void of a moral code. As firmly as I believe in all the great things that a true commitment to a team and sport can promote, I also believe in the damage that can be caused when the team concept is eroded and means nothing.

Coaches I talk with, all share the same concerns and all have "I cannot believe what this parent did story." Often the stories have the same themes, "missing games due to other sports", "demanding playing time after missing practice", "leaving for another team in the middle of the season", " this is where you have to play me". All the stories have the same major plot …"the decline of the concept of team."

I think that my dad might of had it right.

Red Hook’s Michael Whitman Receives the Livio D’Arpino Scholarship

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

August 19, 2013-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Michael Whitman of Red Hook is receiving the 2013 Livio D’Arpino Scholarship.

Mike plays for the Hyde Park Lightning of the East Hudson Youth Soccer League (EHYSL). His coach, Dave Owens, once said that "I wish we could play 11 Mike Whitman’s on the field at once."

Mike’s varsity coach, Steve Sutton of Red Hook High School, stated that he "is the quietest MVP" he has ever coached.

As Mike wrote in his essay, "I prefer to let my actions speak louder than words. Yelling at the referee will not change his/her mind…All I can do is improve my play to the best of my ability. I have only received one yellow card my entire soccer career and my character defines who I am on and off the field."

The National Honor Society member had perfect attendance from Kindergarten to the 8th Grade and was on the High Honor Roll from 2009 to 2013. He will be majoring in Engineering and playing soccer at Western New England University.

The scholarship’s namesake, Livio D’Arpino, was an ENYYSA Vice President who was involved in seemingly every level of local soccer before his untimely passing in 2002.

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.

Jackson Mitchell Receives the Livio D’Arpino Scholarship

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

Association

July 26, 2022-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Jackson Mitchell 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.

Jackson was a National Honor Society member at Washingtonville High School and was selected as the school’s Player of the Year in 2018 and also competed for the Wizards’ tennis and track teams. In youth soccer, Jackson played for the Washingtonville Premier League, Washingtonville Warriors, Cedar Stars Academy and Fox Soccer Academy. He played for four years for the East Hudson Academy and a phenomenal seven years with Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP). Additionally, he has been an official with the Hudson Valley Soccer Referee Association (HVSRA) for the past four years.

Jackson wrote in his essay that “soccer has taught me that nothing in life comes easy and that with hard work, almost anything can be achieved. However, it has also taught me to set realistic goals, knowing that setbacks and injuries can happen, and while we always give our best, not every game can be a win. These are skills that can be applied to everything in life. Playing soccer has been such a privilege, and I am so thankful for all it has done for me as a person, teammate and friend.”

We wish Jackson the best at William & Mary this fall.

Region 1 ODP Wins Kuban Spring Tournament

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

March 18, 2013-While the question of local winter sports fans is how many gold medals the United States will win in the Sochi Winter Olympics less than a year away, an American team has already won a gold medal in Sochi. The Region 1 Olympic Development Program (ODP), made up of the best Girls-Under-19 players from Maine to Virginia, won the Kuban Spring Tournament even though Region 1 is just one part of the United States and they were playing other countries’ Girls-Under-19 national youth teams.

Krystina Iordanou of Upper Brookville, Erin Neville from Commack and East Islip’s Kayla Saager, all from the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), played for Region 1 ODP and made us proud.

In ENYYSA, ODP tryouts continue in March. Hopefully, many of the kids selected across New York State this spring will play on the Region 1 ODP team in the future.

Region 1 ODP arrived in Moscow on March 3. Coached by Ken Kreiger, who might be best-known for being the father of US Women’s National Team defender Ally Kreiger, Region 1 ODP transferred the next day to Sochi, a long corner kick from the Black Sea. On March 5, Region 1 ODP played Russia in the Sochi Olympic Stadium, where next year’s Winter Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies will be held. The 1,000 local fans went home disappointed as Region 1 ODP shut out Russia, 1-0. Region 1 ODP then tied Turkey and Slovakia, both by 2-2 scores, to win Group B.

Region 1 ODP proved they were a formidable team and very good at taking penalty kicks as they advanced via the shootout. After tying a local side, Krasnodar, 1-1 in the quarterfinals, they advanced in the shootout, 4-2. The semifinal produced a scoreless tie against the much older Iran Women’s National Team but Region 1 ODP advanced 5-3 in the shootout with Krystina Iordanou’s winning kick sending the Americans to the final. The final on March 16 ended in a 2-2 draw vs. Ukraine as Region 1 ODP won the Kuban Spring Tournament, 4-2, via the shootout.

Somehow, the Americans kept on advancing even though their opponents knew which corner of the goal each girl preferred to aim for in the shootout. Congratulations to Region 1 ODP on this wonderful championship!

Long Island Slammers Shut Out the Massapequa Titans to Win the Boys-Under-19 State Open Cup

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

June 24, 2021-How appropriate that two Long Island teams played in the Boys-Under-19 State Open Cup final for the Peter Collins Cup as the cup’s namesake volunteered as Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) President from 1977 to 2004, coached the Hicksville Minutemen to the Boys-Under-19 national finals and was a U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame and U.S. Life Member.

The Long Island Slammers prevailed over the Massapequa Titans, 2-0, in the final on June 5 at Stringham Park in LaGrange.

Long Island will represent Eastern New York at the East Regionals from June 25 to July 1 in Hammonton, New Jersey as part of the National Championship Series.

Massapequa received the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials. The namesake of the award, who died in 2016, was inducted into the Halls of Fame of the LIJSL and Eastern New York plus was also honored as a Life Member by U.S. Soccer like Collins.

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/

Justin Haak Signs a Pro Contract With NYCFC at the Age of 17

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Photo courtesy of NYCFC

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

February 5, 2019-After Justin Haak broke his arm practicing gymnastics as a young boy, he switched to soccer. Justin then played for six years for the Chelsea Piers Soccer Club of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) and it became a family affair as his father Julius volunteered as an assistant coach with his teams.

Coaching Justin as a Boys-Under-8 player was Ron Restrepo, now the CJSL President, who commented, “Justin was always a stand-out player, even at the age of eight years old! He enjoyed playing in the midfield and was a game changer on the field of play. Yet he was a team player and had the will to play any position for the team. Justin was very coachable and even had a winning mentality at a very young age. We would have Justin play up one or two years as he was that good and he was always willing to stay and attended other older club team practices as he was always looking to improve his game.“

Justin was born in Manhattan a day after 9/11, grew up in the East Village, then his family moved to the Bushwick section of Brooklyn when he was 10 years old. Seven years later at age 17, it’s a dream come true as Justin has signed a professional contract with New York City FC.

“When NYCFC was first announced, I knew that I wanted to play for the professional team in my own city where I’ve grown up in,“ Justin stated. “It’s an amazing chance for me and I just wanted to be a part of it. My parents were incredibly happy for me (upon signing a pro contract) because they knew that I’ve been working so hard for this my own life. To be able to play for the team in my own city in front of all these people I grew up around, it’s really an amazing feeling to give something back.”

Justin attended NYCFC pre-season camp last year and impressed in friendly matches vs. the LA Galaxy and Atlético San Luis of Mexico. He continued to train with the first team regularly throughout 2018.

He joins two other teenagers on NYCFC, James Sands and Joe Scally, who also grew up playing in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA).

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.

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