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.
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.
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.
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/