Staten Island’s Robert Libertelli Honored as Eastern New York Personality of the Month
New York Youth Soccer News: Perhaps Rob’s greatest contribution to youth soccer is his perseverance in getting a soccer complex approved in the Hurricane Sandy-ravaged section of Oakwood Beach, where homes once stood
The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL) First Vice President Robert Libertelli is being honored as our Personality of the Month for November.
Robert became involved with soccer like many Americans when his kids started to play. Nearly a generation ago, his oldest daughter Victoria started school at the Academy of St. Dorothy, where he also went to school.
Victoria signed up for soccer, there were not enough coaches so the nuns asked Rob to coach the team. Besides coaching, he has served on the Academy of St. Dorothy Sports Committee since 2002.
Rob then also coached his younger daughter, Katherine (Katie). The Rossville resident coached his daughters with Staten Island United, Victoria on the Fury and Katie on the Fusion. His girls have graduated from youth soccer but Rob is now coaching the Cedar Stars Reign of the Eastern Development Program (EDP). On the school side, he coached the Boys JV at St. Peter’s High School and now coaches the Girls Varsity at St. Joseph Hill Academy High School.
Rob was the Director of the Our Lady Star of the Seas Soccer Program a decade ago and been a licensed referee for the past dozen years. He climbed the ladder at the SIYSL, serving on the Executive Board for the past decade, and is now First Vice President. He received the SIYSL President’s Award from SIYSL President Bill Smith last year.
“Rob has worked endless hours for the SIYSL. He has no kids playing in the league anymore but that doesn’t stop him as he is all about the children of the league,” commented President Smith. ”I personally count on Rob for many of the projects and events the league does and he always gets the job done. Pee wees and our high school league just to name a few.”
But arguably Rob’s greatest contribution to youth soccer is his perseverance in getting a soccer complex approved in the Hurricane Sandy-ravaged section of Oakwood Beach, where homes once stood. Four fields will be created on four acres and Rob hopes to hire an architect soon and put shovel tothe ground in 2019.
“We’ve been working on this with local politicians and former Family Court Judge Ralph Porzio for more than a year as well as the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery,” Rob explained. “The state wanted to give the land to the city, but someone told the state about the Staten Island Youth Soccer League and that we have no official home and when they found out we were a non-for-profit organization, they thought it would be a good idea to see if we can work something out.”
And also this soccer is in addition to his “real job” as Assistant Security Director of the Staten Island Mall after 23 years as a New York City Police Detective. Congratulations to Eastern New York’s November Personality of the Month, Robert Libertelli!
Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association: 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) reaches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with nine 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.
