By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
August 1, 2016-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Christopher Mistretta will be receiving a Livio D’Arpino Scholarship. The award is based on academic and athletic success as well as community service. The scholarship’s namesake was a beloved Eastern New York Vice President who was seemingly involved in every level of local soccer before his untimely passing in 2002.
Chris was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Tri-M Honor Society at West Hempstead High School and did not receive a grade lower than 90% in his four years there. He played varsity soccer and baseball plus ran varsity track and was also a member of the Student Council and Mathletes.
Chris’ varsity soccer coach, Christian Van Kovics, wrote, “Christopher’s positive attitude, dedication, communication skills and work ethic have allowed him to become a strong leader and positive influence within the school community.“
In the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), Chris volunteered his time for the LIJSL TOPSoccer Special Children’s Program, served as a LIJSL referee plus played eight years for the West Hempstead Tomahawks. His club soccer coach, Loraine Magaraci, wrote, “Over the past eight years, I have watched him grow and mature into the amazing person he is today…He helps motivate and keep the team going at all times. Christopher is a huge part why our team is so successful. We are one of the few teams to not only stay together as long as we have, but take first place in our division and win the LIJSL Sportsmanship Award four different seasons.“
Eastern New York wishes Chris the best as he starts studying at Binghamton University this fall.
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 11 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/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.