Luis Montoya Inducted Into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame
New York Youth Soccer News: The Big Apple Youth Soccer League founder and President was inducted into the Eastern New York Hall of Fame on December 4 in the Bronx
From left to right: Eastern New York President Richard Christiano, Luis Montoya, Eastern New York First Vice President Ken Gulmi
The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to announce that Luis Montoya has been inducted into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place at our Holiday Party on December 4 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx. 2016 must be Luis’ year as he was also selected as Eastern New York’s Personality of the Month In June.
He founded the Big Apple Youth Soccer League (BAYSL) in 1997 to serve the growing Latino community in New York City and is the only President that the BAYSL has known in its 20 years of existence. 62 boys teams and seven girls squads from Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx currently play in the league.
Luis has spent much of his life making certain that all children in the United States have the opportunity to play the world’s most popular sport. He has served as a member of the Diversity Committee for US Soccer under three Presidents––Alan Rothenberg, Dr. Bob Contiguglia and currently under Sunil Gulati. He is a native of Lima, Peru who immigrated to the United States in 1970.
The Astoria, Queens resident has had two tours of duty as Trustee of Eastern New York––previously, when Barry Salter was President of Eastern New York and the last three years serving the Presidency of Richard Christiano.
With Eastern New York, Luis chairs the Soccer Start/Inner City Committee and also volunteers as a member on the Appeals, Tournament Control and Publicity Committees.
Luis has also volunteered as Games Chairperson for the Hellenic-American Soccer League and was on the Board of Directors for that league for seven years as well as serving as Trustee for a few years in the Eastern New York State Adult Soccer Association. Working under the various State Directors of Coaching Education, he has organized numerous “C,” “D,” “E” and “F” courses, mostly in Spanish, reaching an important demographic of coaches who otherwise would not have received the benefit of Eastern New York’s support.
Luis has five adult children. His sons Oschta and Paschco were given Peruvian Indian names and live in Florida. Paschco plays soccer in the Sunshine State. Luis’ daughter Monica also lives there, while his other daughters Carrine and Katie live on Long Island. Carrine’s children, Michael and Madison, play for Oceanside United of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL).
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) 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.
