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Staten Island Soccer Game Pays Tribute to the Remarkable Todd Hack

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

June 18, 2025-More than 100 people gathered at Staten Island Academy on June 6 for the Todd Hack Memorial Game, a friendly soccer match held in honor of the beloved longtime coach at Silver Lake Soccer Academy who tragically passed away on September 12, 2024 of a pulmonary embolism at the age of 46.

Todd Hack was a graduate of both Silver Lake Soccer Academy and Staten Island Academy, where his son, David, graduated, and daughter, Gabrielle, currently attends.

Chris Vega, President of Silver Lake Soccer Academy, called the event “more than just a soccer match, it’s a tribute to a beloved coach, mentor, and friend whose impact on our community continues to be felt every day. This event is a celebration of life, leadership, and lasting influence — and a chance for us all to give back in his name.” 

Ken Granowski, the Staten Island Academy girls’ varsity coach and Silver Lake’s director of operations, emphasized the coach’s profound influence.

“Todd had a huge impact on the girls he coached,” he stated. “He was an amazing mentor — a teacher, coach, father, and husband. He was the kind of man who tried to do it all for everybody.”

Todd’s impact extended beyond the soccer field. He was also a longtime fourth-grade teacher at PS 8 in Great Kills, known for leading integrated co-teaching (ICT) classes that combined special needs and general education students. His dedication in the classroom has been widely praised, further highlighting his commitment to mentoring youth both on and off the pitch.

Ken Granowski on left and Chris Vega on right with Todd Hack’s family

The gathering also included a special moment as Silver Lake Soccer Academy awarded a memorial scholarship in Todd’s memory to Jason Consalvo, a recent graduate of The Michael J. Petrides School and a Silver Lake player. Consalvo will continue his education when he attends SUNY Cortland this fall. Chris Vega described Consalvo as “a young man whose commitment and character reflect everything Coach Hack stood for.”Through the combined efforts of the community, family, and friends, the Todd Hack Memorial Game not only honored the legacy of a remarkable coach but also celebrated the lasting impact of a truly exceptional man.

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 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 US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log onto http://www.enysoccer.com/

Soccer Players Like Certain Numbers

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

May 27, 2025-It used to be that the position where you played on the soccer field determined your number.

Of a team’s 11 players on the field, number 1 was the goalkeeper, number 9 was the scorer and the number 10 was an attacking player who operates in the spaces between midfield and attack. Both Pelé and Messi made the number 10 jersey famous.

Times have changed and players sometimes select numbers not having to do with their position.

Manchester United and US Women’s National Team goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce was born on October 19, 1996 but when she tried to wear #19 on State Cup champion Farmingdale United over a decade ago, that number was already taken so she reversed it and has worn #91, a highly unusual number for soccer players, ever since.

Mike Ludin started the Huntington Boys Club (HBC) TOPSoccer Program in 1979 so that his son, Craig Ludin, who has Down Syndrome, would have the same opportunities to play soccer as his brothers, Bryan and Evan, did. Craig (in photo) has gone on to win so many medals in the Special Olympics in diverse sports that he was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.

Craig wears #22 as that is a good number in his family. His maternal grandmother, Hannah, was in barrack #22 when Auschwitz was liberated on January 27, 1945. She survived, unlike so many others there including her sister Lilly Kallus.

As World War II was ending, Hannah attended a wedding and a Russian soldier was very aggressive in trying to dance with her. A man named Ernest Greenfeld protected Hannah. They were both from what is now Czechia, were alone, fell in love and married two weeks later.

The Greenfelds moved to Apartment #22 on the East Side of Manhattan. They needed to earn money and Ernest started learning how to become a butcher at the Metropolitan Kosher Butcher on Metropolitan Avenue in Kew Gardens, Queens. They moved across the street to Apartment #222.

Evan’s daughter, Hailey Ludin, plays for the Commack Wildcats of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) and she also wears #22 because of all this history.

We’ll conclude this article on a much lighter note as longtime Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League (HVYSL) referee Rich Ceonzo tells the story of cautioning #17 of the blue team and then when the same player committed another foul worthy of a yellow card, he pulled out the yellow and since two yellow cards by the same player is a red card, was going to pull out the red until the player said, “That was not me!” And it was not as that foul was committed by his identical twin wearing #19. Rich thought, “Identical twins wearing virtually the same number?”

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 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 US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Liberty Cup to Reboot With a Tournament This Summer on Long Island

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

May 12, 2025-The Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), the largest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), has announced plans to expand the league’s slate of competitions with a summer tournament. Liberty Cup Long Island will be played on Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27 at Brentwood Soccer Park.

“We are confident that the Liberty Cup will become a mainstay of the Long Island soccer calendar,” LIJSL President Andrew Seabury said. 

The event will be for the Under-9 to Under-12 age groups with brackets for both boys and girls. The competition will have a guarantee of three games and the ability to reach a final. All games will be 50 minutes long as the Under-9 and Under-10 age groups compete 7v7, while Under-11 and Under-12 compete 9v9.

“We’re continuously looking for initiatives for our LIJSL clubs and players,” LIJSL Sporting Director John Fitzgerald explained. “The Liberty Cup was a top-flight event that we ran in the past, and in its return is one such initiative. We’re excited to host this local competition, and also hope to attract teams from beyond Long Island.”

Along with bolstering league-wide programming to benefit all membership, the tournament provides a local platform for the LIJSL Academy East and West programs to showcase each team’s hard work over the coming months.

“I’m excited to be part of bringing the Liberty Cup back to Long Island,” LIJSL Technical Director Ronan Wiseman said. “It will provide our Academy East and West teams with a great opportunity for some good competition close to home and it will re-establish the tournament we first started back in the 90s.” 

The upcoming tournament is a reboot of the Liberty Cup in the 1990s that featured competing teams from around the United States and the world. Sister tournaments were Liberty Cup Moscow, Liberty Cup Italy and Liberty Cup Ireland.

The Eastern Pennsylvania ODP team (along with their families) that played in Liberty Cup Moscow. In the front row, Jon Busch is second from the left and Ben Olsen is third from the right (in the orange cap). Coach Len Bilous is on the far right in the back row.

Scores of youth soccer players who would move on to the professional ranks played in the Liberty Cup. Eastern Pennsylvania Olympic Development Program (ODP) players Ben Olsen (now the Houston Dynamo coach) and Jon Busch (now goalkeeper coach for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds) had long professional playing careers and played in both Liberty Cup USA and Liberty Cup Moscow. In Moscow, they were eyewitnesses to history as the August 1991 military coup was defeated and Liberty Cup Moscow truly earned its name.

ENYYSA Public Relations Director Randy Vogt purposely wearing the ironic color of red as Communism was defeated when the August 1991 military coup ended. He’s standing in front of the Russian Parliament Building just after the coup was over. Notice the barricades in the background that were protecting Russian President Boris Yeltsin.

The LIJSL then established an exchange program with soccer clubs in the former Soviet Union and the league purchased flags of the newly independent nations carved out of the USSR. In 1992, a Zenit St. Petersburg youth team was arriving at Kennedy Airport two days earlier than expected, the LIJSL had less than 24 hours notice plus the LIJSL Select Team scheduled to host them was playing in a tournament in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. So LIJSL volunteers scrambled, picking up the team at Kennedy Airport, found host homes that weekend for all the players and provided summer uniforms for the boys as their long-sleeve wool jerseys were too hot for the summer heat.

Commack United players surrounding Juventus goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi in 1994.

Commack United, coached by Ray Anderson, made it to the Liberty Cup Italy Boys-Under-16 final in Turin in 1994. Two Commack United players, Carlo Acquista (Fordham) and Mike Mordocco (LIU), are now NCAA Division 1 men’s college coaches.

Registration for the 2025 Liberty Cup is now open and interested teams can apply here.

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 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 US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Commack Crushes Their Way to the IberCup in Portugal

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

May 8, 2025-The Commack Crush went undefeated in qualifying against Dix Hills, Rockville Centre and Smithtown to reserve a spot in the 2025 IberCup, being played from July 1 to 6 in Estoril, Portugal. Commack qualified through the Elite Clubs Alliance League (ECAL), which is organized by the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) to earn free entry in the IberCup.

Under the coaching of former Long Island Rough Rider Jim Walther, Commack has done well, being champions of their EDP division and the East Meadow Tournament in 2024 plus reaching the championship game of the East Islip Fall Classic and SUSA Spring Kickoff. This solid Girls-Under-11 team is currently playing up a year in EDP Southeast 2 to prepare for the IberCup.

“The Crush is a very good team because the players are close, love and play for one another,” Coach Walther stated.

In the LIJSL’s agreement with the IberCup, squads that qualify through ECAL such as Commack receive free accommodation during the trip as well as three meals per day. Transport to and from the airport in Portugal as well as to and from the tournament venues is provided. Yet there is need for the girls to fundraise to help decrease the cost for their families for the trip to Portugal. Anybody who would like to help out can contact coach Jim Walther at jwalther827@gmail.com

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 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 US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Ron Restrepo Named CJSL Director of League Club Development

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

May 7, 2025-America’s oldest youth soccer league, the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL), is pleased to announce that Ron Restrepo has become the CJSL Director of League Club Development. This brand-new role was created to support, guide and elevate every CJSL club and Ron is ready to make an impact from player development to club growth and community connection. Ron explained that “my goal is to ensure every club feels supported, heard and equipped to grow, on and off the field.”

The 46-year-old Jackson Heights resident first became involved with soccer back in 1996 as a teenage coach, working as an after-school soccer coach with the Sports & Art Foundation Program under the umbrella of the New York City Board of Education. In 2001, he took the reins coaching a Boys-Under-11 team in the Brooklyn Patriots Soccer Club and the men’s team of the Borough of Manhattan Community College. The next year, he coached the Manhattan Kickers women’s team in the New York Metropolitan Women’s Soccer League.

2002 was a pivotal year as Ron founded the Chelsea Piers Soccer Club and it joined the CJSL two years later. 

“I currently work with many of our Chelsea Piers Soccer Club boys and girls travel teams, and I continue to enjoy being on the field and staying connected with the player development side of the game,” he stated. One of the players that Ron coached at Chelsea Piers was New York City FC midfielder Justin Haak.

And if all this coaching was not enough, Ron started volunteering as the CJSL Games Chairperson in 2010 and worked his way up that ladder. He volunteered as CJSL President from 2018 to 2024 and highlights during his presidency include:

• Expanding league membership and improving club development standards

• Successfully navigating the league through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic

• Launching initiatives to support coaching education and referee recruitment

• Enhancing the league’s relationship with GotSport to streamline operations and communication

• Organizing competitive, well-structured tournaments that continue to grow every year

The first CJSL President, Erwin Klaus, reigned for 27 years, which was the longest Presidency, from the league’s founding in 1933 to 1960. Paul Kontonis is the current and 17th CJSL President and placed Ron in this vital new role.

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 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 US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Four Staten Island Teams Play on the Red Bulls’ Pitch

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

April 30, 2025-The Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL), the southernmost league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), held a special event with the Red Bulls at Sports Illustrated Stadium last Saturday, April 26 during the Red Bulls’ 1-0 win over CF Montreal.

Four SIYSL teams that sold the most tickets were invited by the Red Bulls to play on their field at halftime.

Congrats to the Great Kills Tornados (in yellow), Richmondtown Knights (blue and white), St. Charles Cobras (red) and Staten Island SC Inter (navy blue). A great time was had by all!

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 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 US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

The Long Island Junior Soccer League Inducts Three Longtime Volunteers Into Its Hall of Fame

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

April 8, 2025-The Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), the largest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), inducted three volunteers into the LIJSL Hall of Fame on Sunday, April 6 at the Stonebridge Country Club in Smithtown.

From left to right: Michael Saint Laurent, Gina Titus and Michael Lombardi

Michael Saint Laurent has been President of the Central Islip Soccer Club for the past 15 years and coaches several teams every season. With its large Latino population, Central Islip has great potential as a soccer community and that potential is becoming a reality under Michael’s inclusive policies by making soccer accessible to every family regardless of financial status or the child’s skill level. Several of the club’s players have gone on to play college soccer as Michael has become a role model in the community.

Gina Titus coached the Stony Brook Panthers squad for a dozen years and was assistant coach for the girls varsity soccer team at Ward Melville High School from 1996 to ’98. She then volunteered as tournament director from 2001 to 2012 for the Long Island Soccer Shootout that was played at the Three Village Soccer Park. She was Chairperson of the hugely popular LIJSL Convention at the Huntington Hilton for nearly two decades and served on various other LIJSL committees. For the past decade, Gina has volunteered as President of the Long Island Ladies Soccer League and its 60+ teams in six divisions are a place for LIJSL girls to play after they graduate from youth soccer.

Michael Lombardi coached his children—Danielle, Michael and Christine—when they were growing up in the West Islip Soccer Club and has been the Club President for the past dozen years. During his tenure as President, Mike has helped develop a new lighted soccer field that’s coming soon, built and manages the club’s highly-successful concession stand, expanded the Adam Novellano Indoor Tournament to over 400 teams, partnered the club to form the Long Island Soccer Classic tourney with over 500 teams every summer plus expanded the club’s High Flyers TOPSoccer Program. Additionally, Mike leads the club in West Islip’s Annual Memorial Day Parade plus is a LIJSL and high school referee.

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 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 US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

The Pat McComiskey Father’s Day Weekend Tournament Has Been a Massapequa Tradition For the Past 53 Years

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

April 10, 2025-The Massapequa Soccer Club, in partnership with US Youth Soccer’s League America and the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), is pleased to present the 53rd Annual Pat McComiskey Father’s Day Weekend Tournament.

Pat McComiskey co-founded the Massapequa Soccer Club in 1970 along with Hank Oustecky, long before most other Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) clubs were founded, and the Massapequa duo helped start the youth soccer boom of the 1970’s. 

“The Massapequa Soccer Club Tournament Event Series has, on the whole, continued to grow over the past three years. As a legacy event, perhaps the Pat McComiskey Father’s Day Weekend Tournament does not receive the publicity that it used to. Partnering with Eastern New York as a US Youth League America Festivals-presented event should help us in that regard,” explained Massapequa Soccer Club Chief Club Administrator Steve Padaetz. “This is in-line with the legacy of the Pat McComiskey Tournament and its dedication to and focus on the intramural and recreational player for more than 50 years.”

The fun begins on Friday night, June 13 from 5 to 10 pm as Under-9 and Under-10 travel teams, both boys and girls, play 7 vs. 7. Under-6 to Under-12 intramural players, both boys and girls, take the field all day on Saturday, June 14. The Under-6 and Under-7 age groups play 4 vs. 4 with no goalkeeper, Under-8 plays 5 vs. 5 and Under-9 to Under-12 play 7 vs. 7. The teams will play four 25-minute mini-games. 77 teams played in the Pat McComiskey Tournament last year.

For more information and to register, click here. 

For questions, e-mail tournamentdirector@massapequasc.com

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

The Staten Island Youth Soccer League Inducts Four Volunteers Into its Hall of Fame

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

March 18, 2025-The Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL), the southernmost league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), inducted four longtime volunteers into its Hall of Fame on Thursday night, March 13 at LiGreci’s Staaten.

From left to right: Tara Kalikas (accepting for her father, Joseph LaBarbera), Robert Ollis, Mark Murasso Jr. (accepting on behalf of his father, Mark Murasso Sr.) and Richard Weir (accepting for his father, Alex Weir)

Joseph LaBarbera, inducted posthumously, began coaching in the St. Patrick’s Soccer Club and later co-founded the Richmondtown Soccer Club. As head coach at St. John Villa Academy, he led the Bears to arguably the most successful era in program history, winning CHSAA Archdiocesan titles in 1995, ’96 and ’98. But much more than those wins, he’s still remembered fondly as a role model for his players.

Robert Ollis was one of the first coaches in the Our Lady Queen of Peace Soccer Club and went on to become OLQP Director for seven years. He became a referee, was assistant coach at St. John’s Villa Academy and Wagner College women’s soccer as well as Second Vice President of the SIYSL. He coached teams on Staten Island with OLQP, Petrides and Staten Island United and even in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL). There are many memorials to his son Michael Ollis who played in both the SIYSL and LIJSL and gave his life while saving a Polish soldier in Afghanistan in 2013.

Mark Murasso Sr. is a charter member of the Petrides Soccer Club, volunteering as a coach when the club was formed in 1998 and serving as club director from 2000 to 2002. He helped Petrides become one of the largest soccer clubs on Staten Island, started the club’s successful kindergarten clinic and is a longtime referee who has been honored by the Staten Island Soccer Referee Association (SISRA).

Alex Weir, inducted posthumously, started coaching in 1984 at St. Clare’s and later coached at Staten Island United. He coached the girls varsity at Moore Catholic High School and led his Mavericks to the 2005 CHSAA Archdiocesan championship and undefeated regular seasons in both 2017 and 2018. Most importantly, he was a beloved role model to his players. He was responsible for the Knights of Columbus PK Challenge and Staten Islanders always qualify and compete at the New York State finals at West Point.

The SIYSL Hall of Famers who were present at the dinner.

Additionally, a couple of special awards were handed out on that festive night. The Obed Sollis Director of the Year Award was given to Steven Alaimo, the Carmine Cantalino Award of Excellence went to Mario Amorosso and the Friends of Soccer Award was handed out to Son of a Pitch (SOAP) Futbol Company.

From left to right: SIYSL Treasurer Fred Cipriani, SOAP Co-Founders Alex Cuba and John Tardy plus SIYSL President Diana DiLeo. All photos courtesy of Barbara Hogan Schwarzrock.

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 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 US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Staten Island Youth Soccer League Inducts Four Volunteers Into Its Hall of Fame

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

March 18, 2025-The Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL), the southernmost league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), inducted four longtime volunteers into its Hall of Fame on Thursday night, March 13 at LiGreci’s Staaten.

From left to right: Tara Kalikas (accepting for her father, Joseph LaBarbera), Robert Ollis, Mark Murasso Jr. (accepting on behalf of his father, Mark Murasso Sr.) and Richard Weir (accepting for his father, Alex Weir)

Joseph LaBarbera, inducted posthumously, began coaching in the St. Patrick’s Soccer Club and later co-founded the Richmondtown Soccer Club in (getting the year from Bill Smith). As head coach at St. John Villa Academy, he led the Bears to arguably the most successful era in program history, winning CHSAA Archdiocesan titles in 1995, ’96 and ’98. But much more than those wins, he’s still remembered fondly as a role model for his players.

Mark Murasso Sr. is a charter member of the Petrides Soccer Club, volunteering as a coach when the club was formed in 1998 and serving as club director from 2000 to 2002. He helped Petrides become one of the largest soccer clubs on Staten Island, started the club’s successful kindergarten clinic and is a longtime referee who has been honored by the Staten Island Soccer Referee Association (SISRA).

Robert Ollis was one of the first coaches in the Our Lady Queen of Peace Soccer Club and went on to become OLQP Director for seven years. He became a referee, was assistant coach at St. John’s Villa Academy and Wagner College women’s soccer as well as Second Vice President of the SIYSL. He coached teams on Staten Island with OLQP, Petrides and Staten Island United and even in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL). There are many memorials to his son Michael Ollis who played in both the SIYSL and LIJSL and gave his life while saving a Polish soldier in Afghanistan in 2013.

Alex Weir, inducted posthumously, started coaching in 1984 at St. Clare’s and later coached at Staten Island United. He coached the girls varsity at Moore Catholic High School and led his Mavericks to the 2005 CHSAA Archdiocesan championship and undefeated regular seasons in both 2017 and 2018. Most importantly, he was a beloved role model to his players. He was responsible for the Knights of Columbus PK Challenge and Staten Islanders always qualify and compete at the New York State finals at West Point.

The SIYSL Hall of Famers who were present at the dinner.

Additionally, a couple of special awards were handed out on that festive night. The Obed Sollis Director of the Year Award was given to Steven Alaimo, the Carmine Cantalino Award of Excellence went to Mario Amorosso and the Friends of Soccer Award was handed out to Son of a Pitch (SOAP) Futbol Company.

From left to right: SIYSL Treasurer Fred Cipriani, SOAP Co-Founders Alex Cuba and John Tardy plus SIYSL President Diana DiLeo. All photos courtesy of Barbara Hogan Schwarzrock.

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 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 US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/