LaGrange’s Andrew Moroney Honored as the Eastern New York TOPSoccer Coach of the Year
Moroney has reinvigorated the LaGrange TOPSoccer Program
Soccer is a sport that not only unites the world but is able to bring athletes of all levels together to enjoy precious time on the field. TOPSoccer, the outreach program for soccer, is a community-based training and team program for young athletes with disabilities, organized by youth soccer volunteers. This program brings the beautiful game of soccer to any boy or girl, regardless of mental or physical disabilities.
The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that LaGrange Soccer Club coach Andrew Moroney has been honored as our TOPSoccer Coach of the Year.
The award ceremony took place at the ENYYSA Holiday Party on Saturday, December 1 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.
His nomination was passed on to the East Region, which has also honored him, as the Regional TOPSoccer Coach of the Year.
Drew received two letters of recommendation. LaGrange Soccer Club board member Jeff Feldman wrote, “The LaGrange TOPSoccer Program was 15 years old and when our last coach was not able to run the program any longer, we considered ending it about four years ago until Drew, who has a child in TOPSoccer, stepped forward and volunteered. It was clear from our early discussions that Drew was not only well-qualified to coach but also had great ideas for how to make our program better. He has made the training sessions more fun, more suited to some of the players and more manageable for the parents.“
LaGrange coach Michael Fiege wrote, “Drew changed the name of the program to the LaGrange Special Stars. This is by far the most valuable and heartwarming program I have ever been around. Drew is responsible for leading anywhere between 15-30 amazing children who have various physical, mental and emotional differing abilities. These are not the athletes who receive the spotlight or the attention, but Drew makes sure they are all treated like superstars. The athletes also treat Drew as a hero, which he is in my mind. Our son and daughter volunteer to help Drew every Saturday. He has given them both a golden opportunity. They have learned empathy, compassion and the most valuable lesson that everybody belongs. Every Saturday morning, when I drop off my kids to help, I smile and a tear of happiness comes to my eye because of Coach Drew.“
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.
