By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
January 29, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Michael D’Ambrosio has been inducted into the Eastern New York Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place at the Eastern New York Hall of Fame Banquet on January 27 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.
ENYYSA President Richard Christiano stated, “Local soccer people know that when you need something done, you can call and depend on Mike D’Ambrosio. It’s incredible the number of hours he volunteers for soccer and other organizations. Somehow in his free time, he also finds the time to serve on the Oceanside School Board since 2013, volunteer on the Pastoral Council of St. Anthony’s Church in Oceanside and work as the Deputy to the Nassau County Commissioner of Parks. Michael continues to work, volunteer, is dedicated, selfless with a heart of gold we all know and love him for.”
Mike’s soccer journey started back in 1988 when he started coaching his daughter Danielle for Oceanside United. Mike was very busy moving up the ladder as a volunteer at the Oceanside United Soccer Club, serving on the Board of Directors from 1989 to 2003. He volunteered as Intramural Director, Bob Schrager Labor Day Tournament Director, and Co-Director of the Rudy Lamonica Indoor Tournament. If volunteering for Oceanside United was not enough, he started volunteering for the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Board of Directors in 2004 and continues that to this day.
He has served as a Trustee, then Vice President and was inducted into LIJSL Hall of Fame in 2017. As the league grew, so did Mike’s dedication.
Former LIJSL President Addie Mattei-Iaia explained, “Michael D’Ambrosio is the best of the best when it comes to being a volunteer. I have known Michael for more than 25 years, part of which he served on the LIJSL Board of Directors during my tenure as President. Whenever I needed a job done, he was the one I went to. He never questioned, just would say ‘You got it.’ Loyal, honest, dependable and friend is my best description of Michael.“
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/