Human Interest

Carl Whyte and Diana Mojica Honored By the New York Soccer Referee Association

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

December 5, 2024-The New York Soccer Referee Association (NYSRA) is by far the oldest referee group in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) as it was founded 86 years ago in 1938. NYSRA held its holiday party on November 21 at the Ukrainian Sport Club in Manhattan.

Carl Whyte (in red sweater) received Lifetime Membership, NYSRA’s version of the Lifetime Achievement Award, from NYSRA President Kambiz Riazi. Whyte became a referee in 1991 at the age of 41, upgraded to Regional Referee in 1995 and during the 1994 World Cup, he chaperoned the Italian and Spanish national teams.

Diana Mojica (on right in bottom photo) received the New Referee Award from NYSRA Vice President Harris Rasheed. 25% of NYSRA officials started in the past two years and Mojica, in particular, has applied and immersed herself in the game.

The Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL), which is five years older than the NYSRA, graciously helped pay for the dinner once again this year.

Would you like to join Carl and Diana as a soccer referee? Eastern New York is seeking new referees to be in the middle and/or on the line as assistant referees in youth soccer games throughout the state. The minimum age is 14 years old to become certified. The certification class consists of both online and classroom learning.

For more information, log on to https://enysreferee.org/how-to-become-a-referee/. If you have any questions, e-mail questions@enysreferee.org

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/

Chris Armas to Be Inducted Into the National Soccer Hall of Fame

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

December 12, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to acknowledge that Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Famer Chris Armas has been selected to be inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Chris was inducted into the Eastern New York Hall of Fame in 2007 and will be inducted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame on May 3, 2025, at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco, Texas.

Born in the Bronx in 1972, Chris grew up in Brentwood, playing for the Brentwood Bandits of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL). He graduated from St. Anthony’s High School and then attended Adelphi University from 1990 to ’93, amassing 17 goals and 15 assists for the Panthers during his four years there. Chris was selected as a NCAA Division 2 First Team All-American his senior year. During the summer, Chris suited up for Hewlett/Lawrence in the Under-23 Ryder/Vass Cup of the Long Island Soccer Football League (LISFL).

Chris played for the Long Island Rough Riders in 1994 and ’95 with Teddy’s troops capturing the United Soccer Leagues (USL) national championship in 1995.

Major League Soccer (MLS) kicked off in 1996, Chris was drafted by the Los Angeles Galaxy in the first round and scored a goal in the first MLS Cup final that year but his Galaxy team lost to DC United, 3-2, in overtime during a downpour. He won the MLS championship in 1998 with the expansion Chicago Fire plus four Lamar Hunt US Open Cups with the Fire. Chris received MLS Best XI honors four consecutive times from 1998 to 2001. In 2003, he was again named MLS Best XI but also was honored as MLS Comeback Player of the Year after returning from a torn ACL. He was also named US Soccer Athlete of the Year in 2000.

Chris earned 66 caps with the US Men’s National Team in the years around the turn of the millennium.

The Floral Park resident then became a coach and has coached with New York Hota, been the head coach of the Adelphi women, the Red Bulls, Toronto FC and is currently the head coach of the Colorado Rapids. Additionally, he was an assistant coach with Manchester United and co-interim head coach of Leeds United in England.

“The recognition to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, if it’s a reflection of the career that I had, the contributions to the game, the type of player and teammate that I was, the way that I carried myself as part of good teams, being a piece of that, then I’m really proud,” Chris said. “It means a tremendous amount to my family, my boys, my wife, my parents, my dad from up in heaven can see that.”

Also being inducted with Chris in the Class of 2025 will be Mark Abbott, Mary Harvey, Carli Lloyd and Nick Rimando.

The Holidays Are a Time to Say “Thank You!”

By Tim Bradbury, Director of Coaching, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

I take great care and pride in the efforts I make to lead players and teams in a holistic way. I’m completely aware that although many of them may not become great players who play professionally or at college, they all may become great people who play for life, coach one day and become active responsible adults. I spend time learning about my players’ lives outside of the game, how they are doing at school, how family life is going and I attempt to display a genuine interest in their likes and dislikes.

As I coach a good number of teenage players, I frequently talk to them about how they are helping their families and what they do to actually support dad, mom, brothers and sisters. Are they a positive member of the family community or are they purely wrapped up in their own needs? The conversation starts with how they perform and act at practice. The challenge I present to all the players I coach is stressed with the following questions:

“Can you be the player who most impacts a practice and ensures that the learning environment is good for all? Can you be the first one in? Can you be the most coachable player in the group? Can you be the one who most helps with equipment? Can you be the player who notices a teammate is down and gives them a word of inspiration or comfort?”

I work hard to make them aware that the mission above should be their number one priority and that if I can get all 18 to place it as their core mission, we will soon have a team that makes remarkable progress.

Another of the core values that I work on with players is respect. The team dynamic is that we respect each other, we respect the refs, we respect the parents and all the work they do so that players get to train and play. Part of this culture that deals with respect is saying, “Thank you.” I encourage them to thank each other at the end of each game and practice, thank the refs at the end of each game, and of course thank their parents at the end of the drive home. I ask them all to try and display their thanks by helping at home by doing something around the house that helps the family.

It seems appropriate at this time of year to once again encourage a few thank-you notes (Jimmy Fallon-like). So not just because it’s the holiday season but also because it’s just the right thing to do I encourage all:

Players to thank your parents for the endless hours spent driving you to practice and games while remembering not to shout orders to you as you play.

Parents to thank coaches for their efforts in developing your child even though they didn’t win as many games as you thought they should have and have yet to recognize your child is next Messi.

Coaches to thank club officials and administrators for all their efforts even if the biggest space you got to train in was really only suitable for 3v3 and you got the 9:00-10:30 pm slot on a Friday.

Coaches to thank referees for the courage they show in turning up game after game knowing they will be subjected to endless, ridiculous comments shouted at the top of their voices from an adult who never kicked a ball.

Coaches to thank the refs who forget to give you and the players the 5-minute speech on when and where substitutes may enter the game like they are sharing some news on a new discovery in creating energy.

Coaches to tournament organizers who remember that we live in the Northeast of the US and that winter along with frigid temperatures arrives at about the same time every year. They also should be thanked for remembering how it feels to play outside when the real feel is so harsh you lose the feeling in your toes after five minutes.

And lastly but most importantly

Players to parents who spend the car ride home listening to loud Christmas music and in so doing forget to share the latest postmortem on your performance in the game.

Best wishes to everyone,

Tim

Manhasset’s Owen McCormack Selected as the National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year

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

December 3, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is thrilled to announce that our TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year, Owen McCormack, has been selected by US Youth Soccer as the National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year. Owen will be honored at the US Youth Soccer Workshop in Chicago and the Eastern New York Hall of Fame Banquet in New York City, both in January.

TOPSoccer stands for The Outreach Program for Soccer, providing an opportunity for children with intellectual, physical and/or social characteristics that may require modified educational practices and services in order to develop to their potential.

Owen has volunteered with the Manhasset Soccer Club’s Adaptive Program since the 9th Grade, the earliest that the club allows student volunteers. Due to his dedication to TOPSoccer, he was appointed Director of Student Volunteers in the 10th Grade. Owen recruits volunteers from Manhasset High School’s varsity and junior varsity soccer programs as well as the rest of the student population.

The Manhasset resident is responsible for creating the schedule at the start of the season and communicates with students and their families to ensure that every child with special needs receives the attention they deserve. During practices, Owen takes the initiative in guiding new volunteers. His positive energy and inclusive nature has helped build strong relationships with players and their families.

Additionally, Owen reaches out to a special education teacher in a neighboring school district to offer her students participation in Manhasset’s Adaptive Program as there, unfortunately, is no such program in her town.

In addition to being a leader with TOPSoccer for the past three years, Owen is a leader at Manhasset High School, volunteering as the Student Government Class Treasurer in the 9th, 10th and 11th Grades and organizing events promoting school spirit, fundraising and community engagement. Owen also volunteers at St. Francis Hospital and for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). He was selected as team co-captain of the 2024 LLS Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign on Long Island.

Owen grew up playing in the Manhasset Soccer Club in both the intramural and travel team programs, has been a player for Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) for the past three years and also currently plays for the East Meadow Soccer Club and Manhasset High School.

This is the second time in the past six years that a teenager from Eastern New York has been selected as National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year as Jessica Lee received this huge honor in 2019.

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/

Allan Emmanuel is Quickly Moving Up the Ref Ladder Through Natural Ability and Hard Work

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

November 3, 2024-Happy Birthday to up-and-coming referee Allan Emmanuel, who turns 25 today.

The Crown Heights resident grew up playing soccer in Haiti and moved with his family to Florida 14 years ago, then to Brooklyn the next year. He took up the whistle as a referee in September 2018.

Allan explained, “I love refereeing! I have always loved soccer and like the fact that you have to make quick decisions as a ref and that each game is different.”

Allan Emmanuel is second from the right.

Allan recently graduated as a Computer Science major at Brooklyn College and the attributes that he has learned as a referee–leading others, remaining calm at all times and that it’s about others rather than yourself–should serve him well as he launches his work career. He volunteers as Secretary of the New York Soccer Referees Association (NYSRA).

With firm game control and exquisite positioning, he’s climbed up the ladder quickly, refereeing the Youth and Adult Regionals this year and being selected to ref the Boys-Under-15 Regional Final. Allan was also chosen to referee US Youth Soccer’s Nationals in 2024 as well as officiating US Open Cup games and eight local adult championship games in the past three years. He started officiating college soccer as well this year.

“My goal is to become a MLS referee and possible FIFA referee one day,” he added.

Would you like to join Allan as a soccer referee? The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is seeking new referees to be in the middle and/or on the line as assistant referees in youth soccer games throughout the state. The minimum age is 14 years old to become certified. The certification class consists of both online and classroom learning.

For more information, log on to https://enysreferee.org/how-to-become-a-referee/. If you have any questions, e-mail questions@enysreferee.org

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 Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Becoming a Ref Could Be One of the Best Decisions You Ever Make

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

September 17, 2024-The growth of the membership and programs of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) has created a continuous need for more soccer referees and assistant refs so please consider becoming certified. There are certification classes held throughout Eastern New York.

There are many wonderful things that happen when a person starts to ref including earning money, learning to manage people, learning more about the game, staying or becoming fit, expanding yourself by leaving your comfort zone as well as meeting the greatest people on soccer fields, including your new officiating colleagues. Many become officials as a way to stay involved with the Beautiful Game as their playing, coaching or soccer parenting career is coming to an end. Becoming a youth soccer ref could be one of the best decisions you ever make!

Photo courtesy of the Massapequa Soccer Club

Eastern New York is seeking new referees to be in the middle and/or on the line as assistant referees in youth soccer games throughout the state. The minimum age is 14 years old to become certified. The certification class consists of both online and classroom learning.

For more information, log on to https://enysreferee.org/how-to-become-a-referee/. If you have any questions, e-mail questions@enysreferee.org

Deadline Fast Approaching to Honor Your Best and Hardest-Working Members

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

September 10, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is asking that each member, club and league turn their attention inwards to their volunteers in an effort to acknowledge those whose contributions have truly made a difference.

We’re seeking nominations for a variety of awards to demonstrate our appreciation for the hours of devotion these valued individuals donate to our players.

Eastern New York will select a person in each category who will receive our recognition at the Hall of Fame Banquet next winter and will also be forwarded as our candidate for additional recognition at the National level. Last year, we received a nomination in nearly every category because our members took the time to nominate somebody.

The entries MUST be on a specific form and be completed as comprehensively as possible or they cannot be considered. These forms are attached below.

Awards will be presented in the following categories:

Girls Competitive Coach of the Year

Boys Competitive Coach of the Year

Girls Recreational Coach of the Year

Boys Recreational Coach of the Year

Volunteer of the Year

Administrator of the Year

TOPSoccer Coach of the Year

TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year

Young Female Referee of the Year

Young Male Referee of the Year

Nominations for the above awards must be received at the Eastern New York office on or before September 27, 2024 to be considered. The address is Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association, 167 Nassau Boulevard, Garden City South, NY 11530 or the material can be e-mailed to Randy Vogt at enypublicrelations@enysoccer.com

As with everything else, your nominees have to be in it to win it! Please take the opportunity to recognize the best and brightest through this great awards program.

There is a College Soccer Program For Every Travel Team Player

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

September 10, 2024-Every travel team player in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), from the East End of Long Island to the Canadian border, has the skills to play college soccer. Yet most of our families believe only the most-skilled can play college soccer. While it is true that Division 1 programs are looking for the best and sometimes the tallest players, Eastern New York and Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Hall of Famer Pat Grecco, CEO of the College-Bound Athlete Scholarship Service, says there is a college soccer program for you!

“I have been placing student-athletes, mostly soccer players, into colleges for the past 30 years. There are multiple options regarding college soccer programs at various levels, many of which would be a good fit for travel team players,” Pat explained. “Sometimes ego gets in the way of players and parents who feel they have devoted lots of time and money into soccer and they should be playing at the highest level, D1. Do not have tunnel vision! There are many outstanding colleges in the various conferences. Not everyone goes to college at Harvard, Princeton or Yale but that does not mean you can’t go to college and receive a degree.”

For men and women in Division 1, there are 500 plus programs, there are over 400 D2 programs and Division 3, almost 1,000 programs, all which are NCAA-affiliated. Junior college includes over 400 soccer programs. There are other affiliations outside the NCAA including the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) with over 400 member schools, United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) with nearly 100 schools and, lastly, National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) with 100+ programs and growing.

Pat says that she places colleges and universities based on the following in importance:
1) Intended major
2) Soccer level
3) Academic standing
4) Distance from home, climate and other factors
5) Available athletic and academic scholarship opportunities

“Maybe you play competitive club soccer and you’re a very good student, then you should be looking at highly competitive academic schools like Emory University, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Chicago where your soccer can help open that heavy door to Admissions,” Pat stated. “Another situation might be that you struggle a bit in school, then perhaps your best opportunities lie with two-year junior college programs and then after two years with improved grades, you could transfer to a four-year school with an athletic or academic scholarship. Either way, there is a college soccer program for you!”

For more information, please log on to www.collegeboundathlete.com or contact Pat directly at soccervol@aol.com

LIJSL Teams Donate to Breast Cancer Research Through the Pink Ribbon Soccer Festival

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

August 15, 2024-Four Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) teams in the Girls-Under-12 and Girls-Under-13 age groups played friendly games against one another on Sunday, August 11 on fields marked with pink lines at the Peter Collins Soccer Park in Plainview. Baymen United, Mount Sinai Galaxy, Northport/Cow Harbor Panthers and Plainedge X-Treme all had fun in the 18th Annual Pink Ribbon Soccer Festival. Additionally, four adult coed teams made up of Estée Lauder employees from their offices on Long Island and in New York City were part of the action as well.

“We’re so appreciative of all the people here today. Many thanks to Stephanie Hernandez and the LIJSL staff who schedule the event. Big thanks to the amazing referees who donate their precious time every year to make the games official and so much fun,” said event coordinator and Estée Lauder employee Carlos Ospina. “Love the spirit from the players, coaches, parents and refs as they wear their pink!”

Carlos, the Lynbook/East Rockaway Soccer Club President, formerly coached LIJSL teams Lynbrook/East Rockaway Lizards (boys) and Lynbrook/East Rockaway Landsharks (girls) before they graduated from youth soccer and now coaches the Lynbrook/East Rockaway TOPSoccer Program.

Through player entry fees, breast cancer support merchandise sales and raffle tickets, over $4,000 was raised for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, founded by Evelyn Lauder in 1992. A particularly coveted item during the raffle were US Soccer balls signed by the United States Women’s National Team players who had just won the Gold Medal at the Paris Olympics.

Refs from the Long Island Soccer Referee Association (LISRA) donated their time in officiating from 9 am to 2 pm.

The LIJSL, through its partnership with the Estée Lauder Companies and Breast Cancer Research Foundation, has donated the use of the Peter Collins Soccer Park since the inaugural Pink Ribbon Soccer Festival in 2004. This wonderful event took a break from 2020 to 2022 because of the pandemic.

Teams from the LIJSL, the largest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), are also encouraged to wear pink and play with pink soccer balls throughout October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Mike Finnegan Honored as Life Member by the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

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

August 8, 2024-At the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Associaton (ENYYSA) Annual General Meeting on August 3 at the Sonesta Hotel in White Plains, Eastern New York’s youth leagues unanimously gave Life Member status to longtime volunteer Mike Finnegan. The Life Member award in local youth soccer is equivalent to the Lifetime Achievement Award designation used by other groups.

“A reason that the vote was unanimous is Mike’s steady personality is so deserving for Life Member status and he has volunteered in youth soccer for nearly 50 years plus continues volunteering today,” stated ENYYSA President Richard Christiano.

Mike began his soccer journey like many other American adults, after his daughter Noreen registered for youth soccer. He started coaching Noreen in intramurals in 1977 in the Rockville Centre Soccer Club, coaching her Rockville Centre Cardinals travel team up to the Under-23 division, for the next 15 years. Mike’s other daughters, Sharon and Veronica, also played soccer but he did not coach them.

Mike also coached St. Agnes High School (just before it became Kellenberg High School) in 1986 for one year and arguably his greatest accomplishment in his brief time there was getting the Private School Girls players included in the Exceptional Senior Games that were organized by the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL).

Mike’s volunteering increased substantially when he was elected to the Board of Directors of the Rockville Centre Soccer Club in the 1980’s, helping lead a period of great growth in the club, and he served as Intramural Chairperson, Travel Chairperson, Secretary, Vice President and President.

The longtime Rockville Centre resident was elected ENYYSA Treasurer in 1986 and performed this important role for over two decades. He became a member of the East Region Olympic Development Program (ODP) in 1986 and served as camp director and team administrator for the next 30 years until 2016.

Awards include being inducted into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame in 2002 and honored as Volunteer of the Year by the East Region in 2005.

Now in his eighties, Mike has not been slowing down as he has volunteered as the ENYYSA Scholarship Chairperson since after the turn of the millennium and as Appeals Chairperson for more than a decade.

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