By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
August 4, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to announce that Alexandra Maniscalco of Rye Brook is receiving a scholarship through the Cortlandt ODP College Scholarship Program. ODP, short for the Olympic Development Program (ODP), is a high-level supplementary program where players are guaranteed to be seen by national and regional coaches.
Alex graduated from Blind Brook High School and played club soccer for Connecticut FC in addition to ODP.
Alex wrote in her essay that “those who know me best would say I have a disproportionally high amount of empathy compared to my peers. I best exemplified this quality when I was recovering from my ACL and meniscus tears during my freshman year of high school.
During my multiple weekly physical therapy sessions, I learned that it was likely that I suffered this injury due to a predisposition that can be predicted by assessing certain physical characteristics. Upon understanding this, I knew instantly that I wanted to find a way to help others avoid suffering the same fate as me.
I located the patient outreach coordinator at the Hospital for Special Surgery and found that they offered a free preventive screening program. I then worked over several weeks to convince our high school Athletic Director to bring this program to our school. We met throughout the spring and summer and ultimately, each student was offered the opportunity to be screened for free for preventable injury as part of the fall sports enrollment process…
If I was able to help even one person, it was time well-spent.”
We wish Alex the best studying computer science at Boston College plus playing club soccer and other sports.
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/