Human Interest

Turkey Bowl Soccer Celebrated Across Long Island

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

December 2, 2025-The friendships started as kids on the soccer fields of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) can last a lifetime. And at no time is this more apparent than at Thanksgiving, when people come home for the holiday. Turkey Bowl soccer games were played on Thanksgiving morning before the players ate turkey with all the trimmings.

We start in Baldwin at the Brookside Elementary School. Baldwin’s Turkey Bowl kicked off in 1979 when Doug Lyn (second from right in the photo above) began a pick-up game for the players he coached in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL). One of those players in the inaugural match was 11-year-old Jimmy Walther, who has not missed a Turkey Bowl in the past 47 years, went on to play for the Long Island Rough Riders and currently organizes the Turkey Bowl in both Baldwin and Commack.

“Whoever wanted to play always has a home with Doug,” Walther said. “The Turkey Bowl has gone from the players that Doug coached, we have added their kids and anybody who wants to play.”

Walther (center in back row) now coaches numerous teams in the Commack Youth Soccer League and started Commack’s Turkey Bowl in 2022. This soccer hamlet is home to Commack High School, recently-crowned Class AAA state champions in both boys and girls soccer. The 4th Annual Commack Turkey Bowl was played at the Burr Road Soccer Complex. Walther did double-duty on Thanksgiving Day as he left his home in Commack for the 9 am kick-off in Commack, then drove nearly 30 miles to Baldwin (where he grew up), going from the youngest Turkey Bowl to the oldest.

The 38th Annual Brentwood High School Turkey Bowl was played by the alumni at the school’s new soccer stadium, home of the five-time state champions. Ron Eden (standing on far left) has been the head coach of this powerhouse team for the past 31 years. He said, “It has been a great day. This is one of my favorite days of the year as I see all of you guys again.”

Organized by coaches Noah Molina, JP Madden and Aaron Ahmad, St. John the Baptist High School restarted its alumni match this year after taking off in 2024 due to heavy rain. The 9th Annual Cougars Alumni Game was played at the home of the 4-time state champion in West Islip.

The 21st Annual Chaminade High School Turkey Bowl was played at Gold Star Stadium on the campus of the Catholic boys school in Mineola, home of the 10-time and current state champions. It kicked off in 2004 and took a year off in 2020 because of the pandemic. The Flyers alumni game was organized by Matt Chicavich, an assistant coach on the varsity team.

“We had 75 alumni attend. There was bagels and coffee, some good soccer and a lot of reminiscing. It was a good morning!” explained Chaminade head coach Brian Anselmo, standing above on the far right.

Oceanside United, founded in 1962 and where two dozen former professional players cut their teeth as kids, held their 36th Annual Turkey Bowl at wind-swept Oceanside Park. Promowear again supplied the shirts. Memories of Alfredo D’Antonio, a former pro player in Italy who was a fixture at many Turkey Bowls and passed at 91 last year.

Additionally, two other Long Island soccer clubs played their alumni games after Thanksgiving. Garden City Centennial played on Friday, November 28 and Rockville Centre played on Saturday, November 29. The friendships made on soccer fields as kids can last forever.

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, east of Route 81. ENYYSA encourages 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 US Soccer and US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

TOPSoccer Integrates With Unified Players For the First Time on Long Island

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

November 20, 2025-Children With Special Needs playing soccer in an organized league first started in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) in 1978 when the Huntington Boys Club and Massapequa Soccer Club separately started programs at a time when those with Special Needs playing sports is not as accepted as it is today. That was the first seeds of what is now TOPSoccer, The Outreach Program for Soccer, for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical challenges, all under the US Youth Soccer umbrella.

Three dozen Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) clubs now have TOPSoccer teams.

Smithtown TOPSoccer coach Bob Kinney, recently selected by Eastern New York as our 2025 TOPSoccer Coach of the Year, explained that “when Smithtown TOPSoccer player Steven Heimerle moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, I helped him find a new team through Emily Mohlin of the Special Olympics Long Island. Steven ended up playing on a Unified Soccer team, and enjoyed it so much that he contacted me to talk about it. Steven’s input on his experience led to several discussions within the Smithtown Kickers on how we could do something similar.”

Unified teams consist of those with and without challenges playing on one squad. It’s inspired by the simple principle that playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.

This led to a 3-day soccer camp last July at Moriches Fields in St. James where 12 TOPSoccer players were integrated with five college and adult players, all under the direction of Miquel Gasparin, the Smithtown Kickers’ Director of Boys Training.

“The camp was a huge success. The players enjoyed it tremendously and in the Unified setting, they were able to work on more refined soccer concepts like ball possession. Everyone did not want the camp to end and asked to do it again,” Bob stated.

At the Special Olympics’ Fall Games on September 20 at Cantiague Park in Hicksville, Bob met Michael and Kristen Carolan, who had been involved in Unified Sports in Florida and are currently volunteering with Huntington Boys Club (HBC) TOPSoccer. Together with Sachem TOPSoccer coach Brian Pontecorvo, they planned their first Unified event on Saturday, November 15 at Moriches Fields as the TOPSoccer Fall Season concluded.

Photos of Sachem vs. Smithtown in a TOPSoccer and Unified game

Unified players were on each team as Smithtown played against Sachem. The partner players’ goal was not to star on either squad but to aid each teammate in getting the ball down the field so everybody touched the ball and had a good time. For the more advanced TOPSoccer players, the higher level of play enabled them to be at their best while for the less experienced kids, they saw how soccer should be played and gave them ideas and a pathway to improve.

Bob concluded by saying, “Our partner players did a great job involving all the players plus helped them with positioning. Everyone had a great time and is very interested in pursuing Unified play when we resume next spring.”

CJSL to Host Its Winter College Showcase on December 1 at Queens College

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

November 18, 2025-The players of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) are held in such high esteem by college and junior college coaches that they are even scouting the tryouts for the CJSL Winter College Showcase.

Welcome to the 9th Annual CJSL Winter College Showcase, organized by andGo Sports and the CJSL, founded in 1933 and the oldest league in American youth soccer. The showcase receives financial support from the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). Tryouts for high school senior boys are currently being held at Manhattan University and Queens College.

“We utilize multiple locations to have players from different parts of the city for this recruiting opportunity,” explained Max Watson, the CJSL First Vice President who is organizing the showcase. “We are definitely excited for the event this year!”

The selected players will be playing in the showcase on Monday night, December 1, kicking off at 6 pm at Queens College. Three teams will be playing 45-minute matches.

College and junior college coaches from Division 1 to Division 3 are once again expected to scout the CJSL Winter College Showcase.

For more information, please log on to the CJSL website.

Play New York Futsal This Winter

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

November 11, 2025-Team and individual registration, training and pick-up games are important features of New York Futsal as it gets set for its new season this winter going from December 6 to March 8. Boys-Under-7 to High School Boys will be playing on Saturdays and Sundays.

Games will be played in two gyms at the PS 333 Manhattan School For Children, also known as the Joan of Arc School, as well as at the Tito Puente Education Complex, both in Uptown Manhattan.

Futsal is a great skill developer by enhancing ball control, pinpoint passing, dribbling, vision and running off the ball. Played 5 vs. 5, the goalkeepers get an intense workout too. Futsal’s increased popularity comes from players using these skills that they acquired in the indoor winter season when they return to playing outdoor soccer in March.

The league has been affiliated with the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) since its inception in 2010. Futsal every day of the week as games will be played on weekends and training with a UEFA coach around that, just taking a break for the holidays.

Longtime New York Futsal coach Jaime Arias is also back to help with the training sessions. The league is excited to give away entry to their summer camp to one lucky player. Referees are needed too for New York Futsal games this winter.

Remember that if your children are not playing in an ENYYSA-affiliated league or tournament, then they are not covered by our insurance, and chances are, they are not covered by any insurance. Always ask about the insurance coverage before registering your children or team. And unlike like most other indoor leagues, New York Futsal has certified refs and heat in the gymnasiums.

Log on to https://www.newyorkfutsal.com to register. For more info, go to that website or phone New York Futsal’s Leslie Hamer at 917-861-9782.

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 Exceptional Senior Games Are a Veterans Day Tradition in Guilderland

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

November 5, 2025-The Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) started the Exceptional Senior Games in 1981 so that top high school senior soccer players could be scouted by college coaches all in one venue. This all-star competition spread throughout the United States and continues on Long Island 44 years later, although it’s now organized exclusively by Nassau County Boys Soccer and the Suffolk County Boys Soccer Coaches Association.

One of the most successful Exceptional Senior Games takes place a long corner kick from the state capital in Albany every year. The Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL) will be organizing its Exceptional Senior Games on Tuesday, November 11, continuing its tradition of playing these games on Veterans Day at DiCaprio Park in Guilderland. CDYSL volunteers have been partnering with NYSPHSAA Section 2 coaches in organizing this competition of both public and private schools annually during its three decades of existence with the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) providing financial support.

High school senior student/athletes are selected by their leagues/coaches to represent their individual conferences and showcase their talent by competing against other Section 2 players. Coaches from colleges and junior colleges from all over the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions have been invited to attend the games and evaluate local players who hope to continue their soccer careers next year.

Team photos from previous versions of the Exceptional Senior Games

The schedule:

Boys Games
10:00 am, Field 1, Western Athletic Conference (WAC) vs. Adirondack
11:30 am, Field 3, Wasaren League vs. Patroon Conference
1:00 pm, Field 2, Foothills vs. Colonial Council
2:30 pm, Field 1, Suburban Council White vs. Suburban Council Red

Girls Games
10:15 am, Field 2, Colonial Council vs. Foothills
11:45 am, Field 1, Wasaren League vs. Patroon Conference
1:15 pm, Field 3, Adirondack vs. Western Athletic Conference (WAC)

Please join us for an exceptional day of high school soccer!

For more info, please contact the CDYSL at 518-435-2325.

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/

Welcoming Tom Frambach as Our Director of Marketing & Membership Programs

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

October 23, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is proud to announce the appointment of Tom Frambach as our new Director of Marketing & Membership Programs, a position newly created to enhance the association’s support for players, coaches, referees, clubs, and leagues across the state.In this role, Frambach will lead initiatives aimed at growing participation in the Beautiful Game, expanding educational and developmental opportunities and strengthening engagement throughout the Eastern New York soccer community.

A Washingtonville, NY native and longtime product of Eastern New York soccer, Frambach fondly recalls his early playing days—where he built lifelong friendships, learned valuable life lessons, and capped his youth career by winning a State Cup championship during his senior year of high school.

Frambach continued his soccer journey at SUNY Cortland, where he captained the men’s soccer team and earned a B.S. in Physical Education. He later completed his M.S. in Sports Management at East Stroudsburg University, serving as a graduate assistant coach and helping guide the Warriors to a PSAC Conference Championship and an NCAA Division II Tournament appearance.

During a summer internship with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars (now the New York Red Bulls) of Major League Soccer (MLS), Frambach was invited to train with the first team by then–head coachOctavio Zambrano, an opportunity that allowed him to experience the professional level firsthand.

After injuries brought his playing career to a close, Frambach turned to coaching—beginning as Head Men’s Soccer Coach at St. Andrew’s College (NC), where his team was recognized among the nation’s top 10 most improved programs. He later held assistant coaching roles with North Carolina State University (Division I) and SUNY Purchase (Division III).

Frambach’s passion for teaching led him deeper into youth soccer, coaching with CASL, North Carolina FC, and the North Carolina Olympic Development Program (ODP), Asphalt Green and DUSC before transitioning to leadership and management roles.

His management career includes serving as Director of Soccer at Asphalt Green (Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League), Sports Director at Club Fit, and nearly a decade as General Manager of Downtown United Soccer Club (DUSC), also part of the CJSL. Under his leadership, DUSC players advanced to U.S. Youth National Teams, MLS and NWSL clubs and collegiate programs across all levels of play.Reflecting on his journey, Frambach shared,

“Soccer is a microcosm of life. We all face challenges, but maintaining perspective reminds me that faith, family, and futbol are beautiful things we must cherish. I’m deeply grateful to the Eastern New York board for the opportunity to inspire a love of the game and positively impact the next generation—both on and off the field.”

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/

Volunteering With TOPSoccer Led to a Career in Special Ed

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

October 28, 2025-Jocelyn Davis always wanted to become a teacher. Then known as Jocelyn Grafstein, she started volunteering as a teenager with the Smithtown Kickers’ TOPSoccer Program for four years around the turn of the millennium. TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a US Youth Soccer initiative that gives the opportunity to play soccer to those who are differently-abled.

“I always wanted to be a teacher and I think that Smithtown TOPSoccer is what sealed the deal to become a Special Ed teacher,” Jocelyn explained. “It truly is what I was meant to do and I absolutely love it!”

Smithtown TOPSoccer, now run by Bob Kinney, was led by Ronnie Whalen and Sue Rapp when Jocelyn was a teen. For her Senior Project at Smithtown High School in 2001 (before the community was divided into East and West high schools), Jocelyn organized a TOPSoccer tournament that May with up to 10 teams and 150 athletes having fun at the New York Avenue School. Helping Jocelyn pull this off were Ronnie and Sue, Jocelyn’s teenage friends plus her parents, Howard and Mary Pat Grafstein.

Howard was Jocelyn’s longtime coach with the Smithtown Kickers in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), the largest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA).

“Dad was my coach forever!” Jocelyn said. “During this time, I babysat for families who were part of TOPSoccer which helped solidify that this is what my calling is and I absolutely love working with the kids!”

Jocelyn is now a Bronx resident, has been a Special Ed teacher for 21 years with the past 19 years at PS/MS 194 in the Bronx.

“I volunteer for a program called Autism on the Seas where I spend my school and summer breaks helping families with Special Needs children and adults have a nice vacation with assistance from this non-profit organization.”

Jocelyn coached lacrosse for a decade at the Ursuline School and Eastchester High School, she coached soccer at Ursuline plus ran a soccer program at the Bronx YMCA for six years.

She took up the whistle and has been refereeing US Soccer youth games plus school games in the Bronx and Westchester consistently for the past five years, and her involvement with soccer came full circle when she refereed the Special Olympics on October 11 on Randall’s Island.

Interested in also volunteering with TOPSoccer like Jocelyn did or even starting a program? Then contact Lauren Lee, Eastern New York’s TOPSoccer Director, at llee@enysoccer.com or 516-538-7303 and she will tell you how to get started.

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/

Tom Frambach Hired By Eastern New York as Our Director of Marketing & Membership Programs

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

October 23, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to announce that Tom Frambach has joined us as Director of Marketing & Membership Programs, a new position created with the state association. In this role, he will focus on supporting our players, coaches, referees, clubs and leagues by developing and leading initiatives to grow the Beautiful Game plus expand programming and education.

Frambach is a native of Washingtonville, NY and a product of Eastern New York. He recalls fond memories as a youth player, forging lifetime relationships and learning significant life lessons through the game. He also highlighted winning the State Cup championship his senior year of high school with Eastern New York.

Frambach went on to captain the SUNY Cortland Men’s Soccer team and received a BS. Ed. in Physical Education at Cortland. Upon graduation, he was awarded a Graduate Assistant Position with the Men’s Soccer Program at East Stroudsburg University, helping to lead the Warriors to a PSAC Conference Championship and a Division 2 NCAA tournament berth. Frambach received an MS. Ed. in Sports Management from East Stroudsburg University and interned with the New York/New Jersey Metrostars of Major League Soccer (MLS) that summer. As an intern, former Head Coach Octavio Zambrano caught his eye during a pick-up session and extended an invitation to train with the MetroStars first team. MetroStars’ Tab Ramos and Clint Mathis were on international duty with the US Men’s National Team and former Ballon D’or winner Lothar Mattheus was rostered with the MetroStars and inactive, which gave Frambach the opportunity to train with the first team.

Eventually, injuries forced Frambach to move into the coaching ranks full-time and he landed his first head coaching position as Head Men’s Soccer Coach at Division 2 St. Andrew’s College in North Carolina, and under his guidance, the Knights were recognized as the top 10 most improved teams in the country. He held additional college coaching positions as Assistant Women’s Coach at Division 1 North Carolina State University and Assistant Women’s Coach at Division 3 SUNY Purchase.

A love for teaching positioned Frambach to get more involved in the youth game as a coach with CASL, North Carolina FC and the North Carolina Olympic Development Program (ODP) during his tenure in Raleigh, NC. He later transitioned from coaching to management.

On the management side, Frambach was Director of Soccer at Asphalt Green in the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) from 2005 to 2008, Sports Director at Club Fit from 2008 to 2011 and General Manager for nearly a decade at Downtown United Soccer Club (DUSC), also in the CJSL, from 2012 to 2022.

Under his leadership, players have received numerous honors and gone on to represent US Soccer Youth National teams, professional clubs in MLS, NWSL and internationally, along with countless players participating in all levels of college and junior college soccer.

Frambach emphasized how much soccer has helped him grow as a person throughout his life.

“Soccer is a microcosm of life. There will be challenges that we all face. But perspective has helped me recognize that faith, family and futbol are beautiful things that we must cherish. I am grateful to the Eastern New York board for an opportunity to foster a love of the game and have a positive effect on the next generation on and off the field here in 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 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/

Register For the NY Winter Tournament Kicking Off December 6

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

October 16, 2025-The Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL), the oldest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and all of American youth soccer, is pleased to announce the return of the NY Winter Tournament in partnership with Juventus Academy New York, continuing one of the city’s fastest-growing youth soccer traditions.

Open to all CJSL clubs as well as US Youth Soccer and US Club Soccer-affiliated teams from New York and New Jersey, the NY Winter Tournament gives players a rare opportunity to compete outdoors throughout the winter months.

This year, the competition will feature boys’ divisions from Under-9 through Under-16 and new girls divisions from Under-10 through Under-15 for the first time. Matches will be played primarily at Randall’s Island, Queens and Brooklyn, and with selected CJSL clubs also hosting matches. Play begins on December 6, runs through February, and concludes with playoffs on March 7–8 and the finals on March 14–15. First-place teams will receive championship trophies. Registration closes November 15, 2025.

Click here to register and view tournament details.

The NY Winter Tournament kicked off play in 2022. In 2024-2025, the tournament featured 70 teams, up from 50 the year before, and participation is expected to grow yet again for the upcoming 2025-2026 edition.

“Every year, the tournament grows in scale and competition,” said Giovanni Russo, Founder and President of Juventus Academy New York. “Our goal has always been to provide a professional, high-level winter platform where young players can continue to develop and compete even in the cold months. Seeing the enthusiasm and sportsmanship from so many clubs makes this collaboration truly special.”

Reflecting on the partnership, CJSL President Paul Kontonis emphasized the league’s commitment to elevating opportunities for players across the city. “The NY Winter Tournament has grown into a premier platform, paving the way for all-year soccer for boys and girls. This is a vision that the CJSL is committed to making a reality for every player in our community.”

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/

Marianne Volpe 5K and Pumpkin Fun Run in Baldwin on October 25

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

October 9, 2025-The 14th Annual Marianne Volpe 5K and Pumpkin Fun Run takes place on Saturday, October 25 at Baldwin Harbor Park.

Blood cancer support is important to the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) because of the life of Marianne Volpe. The Baldwin resident was 56 years old when she died of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), an aggressive form of blood cancer, leaving behind her husband Jim, daughters Chelsea and Shaun, three brothers, five sisters and countless friends. There are many stories of extraordinary people like Marianne whose lives are cut tragically short by this horrible disease.

Marianne Volpe

Jim is a Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) and Eastern New York Hall of Famer, an ENYYSA Trustee who served as Director of the Eastern New York Olympic Development Program (ODP) for over a decade. Both Chelsea and Shaun grew up playing in the LIJSL, then played for Manhattan College and are still involved in the game today. The family started the Marianne Volpe 5K and Pumpkin Fun Run the day before Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and both the soccer and running communities have been helping out ever since.

More than $300,000 has been raised for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), which has helped advance 55 of the 65 blood cancer treatment options approved by the FDA since 2017. It’s the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding research towards cures for blood cancers. Since its inception in 1949, the Society has provided more than $1.2 billion to research specifically targeting blood cancers and its mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma.

Shaun, Jim and Chelsea Volpe

On Saturday, October 25, the kids’ half-mile run dubbed the Pumpkin Fun Run (for ages 10 and younger) is at 9:00 am and it’s free. The Marianne Volpe 5K starts at 9:30 am.

Click here to register for the 5K or simply to donate.

In addition to utilizing the website, you can also send a donation check made payable to The Leukemia & Lymphoma’s Society to: LLS Northeast Territory LLS – PO Box 22470, New York, NY 10087-2470

For more information about the Marianne Volpe 5K and Pumpkin Fun Run, please contact Jim Volpe at 516-805-3765.

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

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