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Human Interest

The Many Challenges in Being Recruited to Play College Soccer

By Pat Grecco

Especially with the evolution of pay-to-play soccer in our nation, I have often wondered about the increasing numbers of international players on the rosters at all levels, NCAA Divisions 1, 2, 3 as well as NAIA programs. It’s like asking a question about the elephant in the room. But not many people in the soccer community care to comment. With the onset of the transfer portal, I have found that the pot of gold (playing soccer in college, perhaps with an athletic scholarship) has become more and more difficult. Boys in high school seem to be the most affected by the challenges of foreign players and transfer portal players. High school girls still make up the majority on rosters at the collegiate level but this could change.

I recently helped a female player who wanted to transfer from a D-1 school, she entered the portal and, within 72 hours, had four offers from D-1 schools for a full scholarship with stipend. She was a defender, good speed, size, and a B+ student. She brought to her new program two years of solid collegiate playing experience, could a high school senior compete with her?

My friend played American football in the UK, but there was a cap on American players for each team, no more than three. When I search rosters for the student-athletes I work with, I see foreign players outnumbering American players and this is not just for D-1 programs. Should the NCAA and NAIA think about some type of caps on the international players and the transfer portal recruits? In actuality, a college coach could fill his entire roster by just recruiting foreign players and topping it off with some from the transfer portal without taking one high school player. I really hope this is not the future!

Parents are spending thousands of dollars each year in pay-to-play programs, many kids are giving up playing high school soccer but what is the outcome? Not always what they expected. I recently wrote an article on the decision to play college club soccer after not being recruited to play at the Varsity level. 

I researched the current NCAA D-1 Men’s Soccer National Champion, the University of Vermont, and congratulations to them on their success. Their roster revealed players from the following countries: Germany, Canada, Spain, Israel, Hong Kong, Hungary and Gibraltar. Plus six on the roster from the transfer portal who played at D-1 colleges.  

I encourage the student-athletes that I work with to have very strong academics, GPA and SAT/ACT. D-3 programs can only offer academic scholarships to a recruited player as there are no athletic scholarships from D-3 programs. I also encourage players to look at private D-3 schools known to have generous endowments. 

Final thoughts: Parents, ask questions when engaging pay-to-play clubs, evaluate the driving time, perhaps having to give up playing at the Varsity high school level plus time taken away from studies. Ask the pay-to-play club what is the outcome for their high school seniors, where are they headed for college and what percentage will be playing soccer at the collegiate level. Keep eyes wide open, ask questions and be pro-active for your student-athlete.

Pat Grecco is an Eastern New York and Long Island Junior Soccer League Hall of Famer who is CEO of the College-Bound Athlete Scholarship Service. For more info, log on to www.collegeboundathlete.com or contact Pat directly at soccervol@aol.com

Ella Biolchini Honored as Eastern New York’s Young Female Referee of the Year

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

February 5, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to state that Ella Biolchini has been honored as the Eastern New York Young Female Referee of the Year. The festivities took place during the Eastern New York Hall of Fame Banquet on January 25 at Marina Del Rey in the Bronx.

From left to right: ENYYSA President Richard Christiano, Young Female Referee of the Year Ella Biolchini, State Youth Referee Administrator Cheryl Aronson, State Referee Administrator Joe Brosi.

Ella took up the whistle in 2022 at the age of 14, the minimum age for becoming a referee. Since that time, she has blossomed into one of the most improved refs in Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League (HVYSL). The Mahopac resident has officiated multiple youth soccer tournaments in the Hudson Valley and was the referee for the 2023 Challenge Cup Girls-Under-10 final and 4th official for the Boys-Under-10 final. 

“Always open to receiving support through our mentoring program, we see a bright future for Ella,” stated Hudson Valley Soccer Referee Association (HVSRA) President Brian Baer.

Off the pitch, Ella participates in soccer, skiing, and track. Ella plays clarinet in symphonic band, and also plays the piano outside of school. Ella has been playing the clarinet since the fourth grade and piano since second.  She has performed in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) since sixth grade, and was in the All-County Concert for Clarinet in the 7th and 8th grades. Additionally, she volunteers for the Mahopac Friends of Music (the parent volunteer organization that supports the music program in the Mahopac Central School District), and for her school soccer team. 

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/

Parker Jackson Honored as Eastern New York’s Young Male Referee of the Year

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

February 4, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to announce that Parker Jackson has been honored as the Eastern New York Young Male Referee of the Year. The ceremony took place during the Eastern New York Hall of Fame Banquet on January 25 at Marina Del Rey in the Bronx.

From left to right: ENYYSA President Richard Christiano, Young Male Referee of the Year Parker Jackson, State Youth Referee Administrator Cheryl Aronson, State Referee Administrator Joe Brosi.

Parker joined the ranks of referee a few days after turning 14 in 2022, and since that time has developed into one of the Hudson Valley’s most improved referees. The Highland resident seeks the advice of other referees to increase his capacity as an official and has participated in a number of Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League (HVYSL) indoor and outdoor tournaments. Recently, Parker has joined the Hudson Valley Soccer Referee Association (HVSRA) Referee Academy and HVSRA anticipates that the additional support and education will afford him greater opportunities in the future as an official. 

Despite training, playing or officiating five to seven days per week, Parker consistently maintains an A average in school. Playing soccer has been his passion and officiating has allowed him to grow as a player and as a person. He volunteers with the Highland United Soccer Club at their weekend training sessions, where he hopes to cultivate a new generation of soccer players and teach a younger generation to love the sport. Parker can also frequently be found in his backyard with his eight-year old sister, running her through soccer drills. Parker is well-liked and well-respected by peers and coaches, having been named as the team captain for two of his club teams. As a current sophomore, was recently named to the Section IX, Class B All-Class team. 

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/

Luis Lewis Honored as Eastern New York’s Boys Competitive Coach of the Year

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.

From left to right: ENYYSA President Richard Christiano, Boys Competitive Coach of the Year Luis Lewis, ENYYSA Second Vice President Bill Smith.

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/

Remembering the Remarkable Peter Clinton

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/

Jim Volpe Inducted Into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame

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 very pleased to announce that longtime volunteer Jim Volpe 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.

From left to right: ENYYSA Second Vice President Bill Smith, ENYYSA President Richard Christiano, Hall of Fame inductee Jim Volpe, Hall of Fame Chairperson Ken Gulmi.

Now a Long Beach resident, Jim grew up in neighboring Oceanside and has been involved with soccer his entire life.

Long before the youth soccer boom started in the 1970’s, Jim’s soccer career kicked off when he began playing for the Oceanside Dynamo in the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) and he then played for Oceanside High School and 

the Oceanside United men’s team. He was childhood friends with Rudy Lamonica and has volunteered for decades at the Rudy Lamonica Indoor Tournament, the oldest youth soccer indoor tourney in the United States. 

Jim started coaching in Oceanside United’s intramural program in 1977 and coached a half-dozen Oceanside United travel teams playing in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) through the years. Jim grew the club as President for a dozen years from 1989 to 2000. For all his involvement, he was inducted into the LIJSL Hall of Fame a decade ago in 2015.

Jim has served as Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) Administrator since 2014. On his watch, the 1999 Boys South ODP Team won the national championship in 2016.

After Jim’s wife, Marianne, died of blood cancer in 2011, he and his daughters Chelsea (named after the London soccer team) and Shaun started the Marianne Volpe 5K and Pumpkin Fun Run the day before Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The Volpes have raised over $300,000 for blood cancer research during the past 13 years.

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/

Rheyan Cader Inducted Into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame

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.

ENYYSA President Richard Christiano on left with Hall of Fame inductee Rheyan Cader

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/