The Staten Island Youth Soccer League Distributes Scholarships While Honoring One of Its Former Players
New York Youth Soccer News: The Staten Island Youth Soccer League distributed scholarships, now named for one of its former players and a local hero.
The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and five of our member leagues––Capital District Youth Soccer League, Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League, East Hudson Youth Soccer League, Long Island Junior Soccer League and the Staten Island Youth Soccer League––all have scholarship programs.
Staten Island, the southernmost league in Eastern New York, held its annual Senior Night Festivities on Wednesday, May 25 at Owl Hollow Fields. This big event is now known as the SIYSL–SSG (Staff Sergeant) Michael Ollis Senior Night. Michael grew up playing in the SIYSL and died three years ago in Afghanistan as a 24-year-old soldier while shielding a Polish soldier during an assault on their base that involved grenades, mortars, rockets and a 3,000-pound bomb.
At Senior Night, all of the 8th grade girls and boys from the SIYSL are placed on teams according to where they will be going to high school, play three games and receive commemorative T-shirts as well as a sweatshirt with the colors of their high school they will be attending.
”It’s a great night and we also invite all of the Staten Island high school coaches to attend the evening,” said Event Chairperson Rob Libertelli. “The girls played their games first, then we had our awards ceremony in which all of the scholarship nominees were announced and the winners revealed. Bob and Linda Ollis (Michael’s parents) also attended and addressed the players during the ceremony.”
The SIYSL-SSG Michael Ollis Memorial Scholarship Award Nominees were:
Boys
Gabe Buschmann – St. Teresa Soccer Club
Daniel Chapman – St. Joseph Hill Academy Soccer Club
Joseph Daino – Holy Child Soccer Club
Christopher Di Monda – Our Lady Queen of Peace Soccer Club
Ari Kotlyar – Richmondtown Soccer Club
Jack Molloy – Petrides Soccer Club
Tim Kane – Blessed Sacrament Soccer Club – 3rd Place Boys Recipient
Matthew Bertrone – Great Kills Soccer Club – 2nd Place Boys Recipient
Thomas Mazza – St. John Neumann Soccer Club – 1st Place Boys Recipient
Girls
Emmeline Caplan – Staten Island Academy
Lindsey Ciaccio – Great Kills Soccer Club
Christine Cuenca – St. John Neumann Soccer Club
Nicolette DeGeronimo – Richmondtown Soccer Club
Desiree Dinkins – Our Lady of Good Counsel Soccer Club
Lucy Hartnett – St. Patrick’s Soccer Club
Samantha Joseph – Notre Dame Academy Soccer Club
Isabella Michell – St. Joseph Hill Academy Soccer Club
Madelyn Mullen – Sacred Heart Soccer Club – 3rd Place Girls Recipient
Kaitlyn Nellis – St. Teresa Soccer Club – 2nd Place Girls Recipient
Megan Meagher – Blessed Sacrament Soccer Club – 1st Place Girls Recipient
There were over 90 8th Grade girls and over 110 8th Grade boys who participated this year. In addition, players were treated to pizza and soft drinks as well as music and PA announcements from longtime SIYSL Coach/Director/Referee and now DJ, Andre Boulay.
“There are lots of people to thank for putting this all together,“ added SIYSL President Bill Smith. “It is a wonderful night in which we congratulate our graduates, and give honor to the memory of one of our own SIYSL players, Michael Ollis. Thank you to Bob and Linda for giving their support and their encouragement to our young players. Thank you to the Committee, Rob, Maureen Motley, Colleen Costagliola, and their children, John Moschella, the Staten Island Soccer Referee Association and, of course, our Executive Board for making this event a success.”
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.
