By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
November 18, 2025-The Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League (HVYSL) held its Annual Awards Dinner on Saturday, November 8 at Villa Borghese in Wappingers Falls to honor those who have particularly made a difference on youth soccer fields in the Hudson Valley. The league, affiliated with the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) since its founding in 1974, brings together clubs from Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan and Westchester counties in New York plus Pike County in Pennsylvania.
“We had a great time with a room full of people,” explained Ken Gulmi, HVYSL Awards Chairperson and Eastern New York Hall of Famer. “15 Hudson Valley Hall of Famers were there and it was nice to see and visit with old friends.”
Scott Carruthers and Emmanuel Nneji were inducted into the HVYSL Hall of Fame during the festive day.
Ken Gulmi is on the left in both photos and HVYSL President Chris Decker is on the right.
Poughkeepsie resident Scott Carruthers became a coach in the Town of Poughkeepsie Soccer Club (TOPSC) four decades ago, then helped establish girls soccer in Dutchess County when he started coaching the Dutchess United Girls Soccer (DUGS) club. Scott became a ref and advanced to Regional Referee status and is now a well-regarded assessor too.
Emmanuel Nneji is the District Attorney for Ulster County. His coaching journey began over 35 years ago when he started coaching in the Kingston Area Soccer League. The Kingston resident has stepped up whenever a team needed a coach. Manny is a volunteer coach, his teams have played well but most importantly, he makes all his players feel good about themselves.
Also honored were the following outstanding individuals:
• Boys Competitive Coach of the Year-Alex Gunera, FC Puma
• Girls Competitive Coach of the Year-Hugo Alzate, Beacon Soccer Club
• Administrator of the Year-Felicia Sheehan, Eastern Pike Soccer Club
• Volunteer of the Year-Rebecca Palmatier, Highland United
Congratulations to all!
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/