Human Interest

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

January 28, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to announce that Luis Lewis of Pleasantville has been honored as the Eastern New York Boys Competitive Coach of the Year. Luis was honored along with Beth Tiffany for this award. The ceremony took place during the Eastern New York Hall of Fame Banquet on January 25 at Marina Del Rey in the Bronx.

His friend and team parent Scott Searle wrote: I was amazed at this individual who had an endless enthusiasm for the game. He was constantly organizing round robin tournaments for the Under-12 boys which was above and beyond what anyone else was doing. In fact, no one was even close. As I would later learn, his passion for the game is boundless. A couple of years later, after I became personally frustrated and disillusioned by modern youth soccer with adult interest superseding that of the kids, I started coaching with Coach Lewis. Pure and simple, he gave me back my love of the game. I’ve learned more about soccer working with Coach Lewis over the past eight years than in my prior 45…

More important than the many accomplishments of his teams in the Westchester Youth Soccer League (WYSL) and beyond is the passion for the game that he shares with his players. In my experience, there is no coach more deserving of this award given his competence, passion and impact on these young men. Players regularly come back from college to train with the Gauchos and always say the Gauchos were their favorite soccer experience.

And in a world of pay for play, the Gauchos costs $150 a year. It caters to kids who can’t afford academy programs and/or are not good enough to make academy teams. All the coaches are volunteers and Coach Lewis solicits donations to limit costs. He has regularly turned down paying coaching roles to coach these kids. And he no longer has kids in the program as his last son graduated high school two years ago.

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/

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

January 31, 2025-For the past five decades, Peter Clinton has been associated with Clifton Park soccer. Makes sense as Clinton is just one letter different from Clifton and he was one of the Clifton Park Soccer Club’s co-founders in 1976.

Peter Clinton was also one of the founders of the league that Clifton Park plays in, the Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL), two years later in 1978. 

The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is mourning the passing of Peter at age 91 on January 22. For all his volunteering, Peter was one of the first people to be inducted into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame, in 2001. He was also part of the 2009 inaugural class of the Shenendehowa Central School District Hall of Fame as a Soccer Contributor.

Peter was born on April 23, 1933, in Middlesborough, England. His passion for soccer began in his childhood and helped shape much of his life.

He emigrated to the United States with his family in 1964 and settled in Gouverneur, New York, before relocating to Clifton Park in 1968.

A decade later in 1978, he took over the Clifton Park Recreational Soccer League (CPRSL), which grew to over 1,000 kids from ages 4-17. He volunteered as CPRSL Director for over 40 years and was very proud that every child played a minimum of 50% of each match.

He served as Clifton Park Soccer Club President for an amazing four decades as well and was instrumental in the development of the Clifton Commons soccer fields, one of Eastern New York’s best soccer complexes.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 8 with calling hours from 10 am to 1 pm at Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 Route Nine, Clifton Park, NY 12065. A service will immediately follow at the same location. Friends and family are invited to join in celebrating Peter’s life with a reception at the Hilton Garden Inn at 2 pm, 30 Clifton Country Road, Clifton Park, NY 12065.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York Chapter.

We have lost a very good man who contributed so much. May he rest in peace!

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/

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

January 29, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to announce that Beacon’s Rheyan Cader has been inducted into the Eastern New York Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place at our Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, January 25 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

As a kid growing up in Zimbabwe, Rhey played soccer for Arcadia United and Prince Edward Academy plus the Zimbabwe Youth National Team before emigrating to New York in 1998.

Rhey then started coaching his oldest son’s intramural team in the Beacon Soccer Club, quickly moving them to travel and eventually a State Cup championship. He has continued coaching travel teams for nearly three decades, long after his own children aged out. He recently started coaching a Boys-Under-10 squad that had no coach so that the team did not have to disband.

The good people of the Beacon Soccer Club saw Rhey’s potential early on and recruited him to volunteer on the Board of Directors and he soon became President, a position that he has held for the past 15 years. Rhey revitalized the club and has grown registrations to nearly 700 children.

Rhey created an Angel Fund to provide financial assistance to those who would otherwise not be able to play and he started Volunteer Recognition Awards plus a Beacon Hall of Fame which has contributed significantly to increasing volunteerism. He leads by example and can often be found lining fields, working the snack bar and negotiating with vendors. He is a very much respected volunteer in the Hudson Valley soccer community.

Additionally, Rhey was honored as Eastern New York’s Personality of the Month in October 2015 and inducted into the Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League (HVYSL) Hall of Fame in 2019 for his many contributions to youth soccer.

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/

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

January 28, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that longtime volunteer Peter Bralower has been inducted into the Eastern New York Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place at our Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, January 25 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

Peter was a founding coach of the Rockville Centre Soccer Club in 1971. He helped grow the club as a Board Member for over four decades plus as President from 1989 to 1991.

Peter brought cutting edge programs such as small-sided games as a player development tool to the club long before US Soccer adopted it. He initiated Rockville Centre’s player giveback program, Kids Helping Kids, and helped start the club’s TOPSoccer Program. Additionally, Peter has organized Rockville Centre’s Alumni Games for the past generation of the six decades that it has been played over Thanksgiving weekend.

He has a United Soccer Coaches National Diploma and has coached over 1,750 youth soccer and high school games in the past 54 years. Peter led the Rockville Centre Royals to State Open Cup and Regional titles plus Sacred Heart Academy to the 2016 state high school championship, the same year that he was honored as Newsday Soccer Coach of the Year. Additionally, Peter coached men’s and women’s teams made up of college players to 13 summer championships in the Long Island Soccer Football League (LISFL), retiring the Pat Ryder Cup in 1989. 

As another sign of the impact he’s had, Peter was inducted into the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Hall of Fame in 2000 and Peter Bralower Field in Rockville Centre was dedicated in 2012.

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/

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

January 29, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to state that Chris Ingwersen of Northport has been honored as the Eastern New York Girls Competitive Coach of the Year. The ceremony was at the Eastern New York Hall of Fame Banquet on January 25 at Marina Del Rey in the Bronx.

Chris is currently the head coach of the South Huntington Wolves and South Huntington Fire plus the assistant coach of the South Huntington Storm. His teams have won the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) division championship plus advanced to the Long Island Cup finals.

The four nominating letters from South Huntington Soccer Club members stated that Coach Chris routinely engages his players in discussion about respect, both for their opponents plus the rules. He encourages the girls to recognize that every game is an opportunity to show good sportsmanship, regardless of the outcome. He demonstrates this by remaining even-tempered, displaying the behavior that he expects his players to emulate.

Chris’ ability to manage personalities within his teams ensures that every girl feels included and valued. Yet every player understands that playing time is earned through hard work and commitment. He challenges his girls by placing them in different positions during matches plus every practice and game is approached with a sense of purpose.

Chris is also actively engaged in the community as President of the Beverly Beach Association, he’s the former chief of the Cold Spring Harbor Volunteer Fire Department and was an Eagle Scout.

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/

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

January 30, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to announce that Aristotelis Kougemitros of Huntington has been honored as the Eastern New York Volunteer of the Year. The ceremony took place the Eastern New York Hall of Fame Banquet on January 25 at Marina Del Rey in the Bronx.

Telly has been the backbone of the Elwood Soccer Club for nearly a decade. He coaches multiple teams, wrote a coaching checklist for new coaches, lines fields, is in charge of uniforms and helps fellow Board members when they are overwhelmed with their responsibilities. He connected with the local PTA to help promote registration and created an active presence for the Elwood Soccer Club on Facebook.

Telly built a relationship with a local sod farm so the club can obtain cheaper seed and fertilizer by purchasing opened or damaged sod bags.

Before Telly became involved, the club was at a low, its fewest registered number of players ever and in financial debt. Now the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) club is at its highest registration ever for Pre-K and K players plus is financially stable once again.

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/

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

January 27, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to announce that the Niskayuna Soccer Club’s Beth Tiffany has been honored as the 2024 Eastern New York Boys Competitive Coach of the Year. Beth was honored along with Luis Lewis for this award as the Of the Year Committee could not exclude outstanding candidates like these two coaches.

Beth was nominated by three people who all wrote about her outstanding character with words such as “deeply passionate coach” and “truly inspiring role model.” Coach Beth cultivates a culture of respect, integrity and camaraderie in training and games that reaches beyond the players to their families and fans. Many small actions contribute to building this culture, but above all, Beth is a leader who brings out the best in others.

One example given was connecting with a boy who missed living in his native country. Prior to a Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL) game, you’re likely to see that Beth is one of the first to arrive and in all probability, chatting with the referee and the opposing coach as players arrive. This small action is effective to setting a positive tone.

Additionally, all her players are on the field for at least half the game as building confidence is central to her coaching philosophy. She has taken a Boys-Under-9 squad which won just a few games to what’s now a Boys-Under-12 team that is one of the most competitive in the area.

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/