Four Volunteers to Be Inducted in to the Eastern New York Hall of Fame During the ENYYSA Holiday Party
New York Youth Soccer News: The four will join a very elite list of Hall of Famers
Four worthy volunteers––Rich Ceonzo, Giuseppe “Joe” Licata, Jimmy Svendsen and Jeff Wexler––will be inducted into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame during the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) Holiday Party on Sunday, December 17 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx. They will join this esteemed list of over 100 Hall of Famers, both men and women, who all have been irreplaceable in making soccer what it is in Eastern New York:
Cesar Aliaga has played soccer for most of his life, founded the Port Chester Soccer Club in 1994 and served as club President from 1994 to 2001 and 2003 to the present.
Rocco Amoroso, Mr. Sportsmanship, founded the LIJSL Sportsmanship Program in 1980 and it was copied around the world. Served as Chairperson of Eastern New York’s Hall of Fame Committee until his passing in 2016 at the age of 89.
Chris Armas is a LIJSL and Eastern New York ODP alumnus who played in Major League Soccer for over a decade and had 66 caps with the US National Team.
George Barr played professionally for 15 years in the American Soccer League, then volunteered as a coach for the Syosset Police Boys Club in the LIJSL.
Jack Baumann, the father of girls’ soccer on Long Island, was devoted to the Massapequa Soccer Club, Eastern New York and making sure that girls had the same opportunities to play soccer as boys.
Ben Boehm played for Pfaelzer Soccer Club in the CJSL, then played local adult soccer and has been coaching at BW Gottschee since 1967.
John Boulos was New York City schools’ MVP while leading the Manuel Training School to the city championship, played on the Bay Ridge Hearts of the CJSL, then competed professionally in the American Soccer League.
James Bowne is a player and referee who is also a referee instructor and assignor plus a Board member of the Eastern District Soccer League.
Gordon Bradley coached Pelé, Carlos Alberto, Franz Beckenbauer and Giorgio Chinaglia with the Cosmos, then coached the Washington Diplomats. Helped grow the game by giving numerous youth clinics in the New York metro area.
Carlo Bucich co-founded the youth program of the Istria Sport Club in 1978, which plays in the CJSL. Became a CJSL Trustee, coaches the Istriamen’s team in the LISFL.
Orlando Byfield is a player, coach and referee who has served on the Board of the Directors of Eastern New York adults and Nassau County High School Referees Association.
Tony Cangero played for the Forest Park Soccer Club of the Long Island Soccer Football League when he was a teen in the early 1960s as it was a few years before the LIJSL was born. Switched to rival Glen Cove Soccer Club, volunteering on its Board as well as that of the LISFL.
Nino Catalioti played for New York Hota and served on its Board of Directors, coached with the Franklin Square Raiders Soccer Club, became a ref and served as President of the New York Referees Association for over a decade.
Richard Christiano, who has brought fiscal responsibility to Eastern New York as our President since 2010, was a youth coach for the New Hyde Park Wildcats and served on the LIJSL Board of Directors for 14 years, greatly improving the LIJSL Select Program during this time.
Mike Clarke coached Brentwood Soccer Club teams in the 1970s, then served as club President and Director of the Brentwood Columbus Day Tournament. He has volunteered on the LIJSL Board of Directors and many league committees as well as being State Cup Chairperson and Director of the Peter Collins Soccer Park.
Peter Clinton was one of the Founding Fathers of the CDYSL in 1976 as well as being one of the Founding Fathers of the Clifton Park Soccer Club.
Jack Cohen was a top coach for Oceanside United in the LIJSL as well as New York Hota in the CJSL before becoming Eastern New York’s ODP Chairperson.
Emil Cohill serves as Secretary of the CJSL, has been refereeing for over three decades and played local amateur soccer.
Peter Collins volunteered as LIJSL President for 27 years, a time when the league quadrupled in size. On his watch, the league started TOPSoccer, the Exceptional Senior Games, LIJSL Convention and the Peter Collins Soccer Park.
Joan Connor started as a Bethpage Soccer Club coach, became club President, is now 1st Vice President of the LIJSL and serves as Chair of the Registration and Tournament Control committees.
Dr. Bob Contiguglia grew up on Long Island, then moved to Colorado, playing, coaching and managing soccer teams. During his tenure as US Soccer President, the US Women’s National Team won the 1999 Women’s World Cup and the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
Syd Crossley has been serving on the Long Island Soccer Football League Board of Directors for the past three decades. Played in the LISFL from 1977 to 2006, coached his kids in the LIJSL.
Miguel Cuellar played local soccer, served as President of the Metrokids Interregional Soccer League plus coaches and referees.
Joan Czach, the Executive Director of the LIJSL, has been involved in youth soccer since 1978 and coached the West Babylon Panthers to the 2000 Boys-Under-17 national championship.
Vincent D’Albis, Mr. Soccer, refereed professionally as well as youth games in Eastern New York. He became a national assessor plus a Board member of the New York Referee Association for 15 years.
Livio D’Arpino was an Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association Vice President who was seemingly involved in every aspect of local soccer until his untimely passing in 2002.
Nino DePasquali is a successful coach at the youth and adult levels. He coached Regis High School to two New York City championships.
Vinny Diliberti co-founded the USA Soccer Club in 1980 that eventually merged into the Auburndale Soccer Club. Coached youth soccer and served as Italian-American Soccer League President.
Gino D’Ippolito officiated over 2,000 pro games as well as international matches in 29 different countries. Still referees and serves as an assessor today in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association.
Isabel Driscoll was one of the original members of the Massapequa Soccer Club, serving the club as President, Board member, tournament director, coach and referee. Volunteered as Secretary of Eastern New York for nearly a decade.
Jim Eleftherion has volunteered as coach, Mahopac Sports Association Soccer Club President and is currently 1st Vice President and Games Chairperson of the EHYSL plus Eastern New York Treasurer.
Dieter Emmerling played local amateur soccer. After a hip fracture, he turned to coaching and led the New York Hota BU18 team, then the CJSL BU18 Select Team. Also volunteered as President of New York Hota.
Joe Ferraro started coaching in what is now the Northport/Cow Harbor Soccer Club, served on the club’s Board of Directors, then volunteered for many years as LIJSL Registrar plus was Chairperson of the LIJSL Hall of Fame Committee.
Mike Finnegan volunteered as a longtime coach in the Rockville Centre Soccer Club, then served as club President. For over two decades, he served as Treasurer of Eastern New York.
Jack Flamhaft played soccer in New York City public schools, served as US Soccer President from 1959 to 1961.
Steve Flamhaft played professionally in the American Soccer League as well as for the US Maccabiah Team. Has served as a member of the Oversight and Member Grants Committee of the US Soccer Foundation.
Bruce Friedman coached intramural teams in Sachem and Lake Grove, served as President of the Lake Grove Soccer Club and then as President of the Long Island Soccer Football League.
Eddie Gamarra co-founded the Our Lady Queen of Peace soccer program on Staten Island in 1980 and served as its President for nearly every year since until his retirement last year.
Joseph Goldberg co-founded the Oceanside United Soccer Club in 1962, served on its Board of Directors for many years and he was a player, coach, referee and administrator for decades. The Long Island Soccer Football League indoor tourney is named after him. His basement was like a soccer museum.
Norma Gorman was President of the Brentwood Soccer Club for a decade and saw to it that the Pilgrim State Soccer Complex, now Brentwood State Park, was preserved.
Pat Grecco volunteered as Director of the Exceptional Senior Games, the College-Bound Player Program and the Scholarship Program, all organized by the LIJSL.
Richard Groff served as President of the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association, was Commissioner of the A-League and promoted US Soccer’s international games.
Albino Guimaraes is the smiling presence at Eastern New York meetings. Founding father of the Mamaroneck Junior Soccer League plus served as President of the Eastern District Soccer League.
Sunil Gulati, the US Soccer President since 2006, has been involved in player development since the 1980s and his kids have played in Eastern New York. He is now completing his third term as US Soccer President.
Ken Gulmi volunteered as EHYSL President for an amazing 22 years and has been on the Board of Directors of Eastern New York for the past two decades. A longtime coach who directed his teams to 60 tournament championships.
Jack Hahn played for Brooklyn Sport Club of the CJSL, then volunteered as Secretary and Vice President of New York Hota. Refereed for a decade, then served Eastern New York as State Youth Referee Administrator.
Herbert Hellpern played local amateur soccer, was President of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League and co-founded both the New York Cosmos and original North American Soccer League. The CJSL indoor tourney is named after him.
Robert Hopkins restructured Yorktown Youth Soccer during his time as President of the club, volunteered for the EHYSL as Treasurer and also as Director of the Hudson Invitational Tournament.
Jack Hynes played for Curtis High School and professionally in the American Soccer League while still a teenager. Also played on the US National Team in 1949.
Dinos Iordanou won three Lamar Hunt US Open Cups and three Cosmopolitan Soccer League titles with the New York Pancyprian Freedoms as a player and has graciously donated $500,000 to ENYYSA during the past decade.
Klaus Kleinstauber played local soccer but is best known as a top referee and then he became an assessor, which he has been doing for decades.
Gregg Knight coached for the LIJSL’s Merrick PAL for two decades, serving as club President and starting its Sportsmanship Program. Served on the Board of Directors of both the LIJSL and Eastern New York.
Steve Kovalenko played for the New York Ukrainians of the CJSL as a kid in the 1960s, serves as player/coach of their adult team and volunteers on the Cosmopolitan Soccer League Board.
Bessie and Phil Lamonica founded Oceanside United’s girls program in 1972 and have supported the Oceanside indoor tournament named after their son Rudy for the past five decades.
Steve LaRosa became the second President of Eastern New York in 1976. A longtime coach, he founded both the indoor and outdoor tournaments of the North Babylon Patriot Soccer Club.
Boris Lazari became a referee in 1975 after playing local soccer. Served as State Referee Administrator and is currently State Adult Referee Administrator.
Marco Malusa founded the Glen Cove Soccer Club in 1953, Glen Cove Junior Soccer in 1964 and was a LIJSL Board member for six years. Player, coach, referee, assessor and administrator.
Cesar Maniccia was one of the Founding Fathers of the CDYSL in 1976 and served as President plus Director of its Select Program. Also founded the Rotterdam Youth Soccer Club. A longtime player, coach and referee.
Patricia Louise Masotto played on the Massapequa Falcons team that won the Girls-Under-19 national championship. Scored a record 120 goals in two seasons at Massapequa High School before her life was tragically cut short by a drunk driver.
Peter Masotto volunteered as President of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association from 1984 to 2006. Coached the Massapequa Falcons to the Girls-Under-19 national championship, honored as Youth Coach of the Year in both 1984 and 1996.
Addie Mattei-Iaia served the LIJSL as its President from 2004 to 2015. Volunteered as LIJSL Convention Chairperson, co-founded the Smithtown Kickers Soccer Club and directed its international tournament for over a decade.
Jack McCabe served on the committee that helped bring the 1994 World Cup to the United States but is best known as a pro ref, serving as State Referee Administrator, Region 1 Referee Director and National Referee Director.
Ian McDougall played professionally in the American Soccer League, co-founded the Oceanside United Soccer Club in 1962 and coached Oceanside teams for 35 years.
Lloyd Monsen played for Gjoa of the CJSL, professionally in the American Soccer League and represented the United States in both World Cup qualifying and the Olympics. Also served as a referee for 30 years.
Luis Montoya founded the Big Apple Youth Soccer League in 1997 to serve the growing Latino community in New York City and is the only President the league has known during its 20 years of existence. The league remains mainly Latino but has players from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
Rocco Morelli scored in the NCAA Final, then served as a top coach in both the LIJSL and Eastern New York’s ODP.
Dr. Gabriel Nigrin founded the Silver Lake Soccer Club in 1970. Silver Lake was the first soccer club on Staten Island and he entered its first team in the CJSL.
Bob Palmeiro served as Region 1 Director for over two decades and has been a long-standing member of both the US Youth Soccer and US Soccer Board of Directors.
Lincoln Page served as President, Treasurer and coach of the Massapequa Soccer Club and Director of the Massapequa Memorial Day Tournament that now bears his name.
Al Pastore, a longtime coach, was the founder, President and head coach of FC Westchester.
Pelé greatly helped the youth soccer boom by signing with the New York Cosmos in 1975. Won three World Cups with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
Giulio Petruccelli has been honored as Coach of the Year in both the Auburndale Soccer Club and entire LIJSL. Co-founded both the Auburndale TOPSoccer Program and SS Cosma e Damiano of the Italian-American Soccer League.
Peter Pinori has served as Eastern District Soccer League President, increasing membership an amazing 7x in the past two decades. Works with the Eastern New York youth to improve local soccer.
Joe Palumbo founded the Yorktown Soccer Club, serving as a player and coach, plus founded the Joe Palumbo Soccer Academy in 1997 in the Putnam Valley.
Sal Rapaglia has been President of the Eastern New York adults since 1990, worked closely with adult and youth teams particularly in the Italian-American Soccer League. Received the Werner Fricker Builders Award for his tireless dedication to soccer.
Kevin Reardon played in the Hicksville Americans Soccer Club as a boy, then served as club President as an adult. Played local amateur soccer and served as Director of the Peter Collins Soccer Park and on the Long Island Soccer Football League Board of Directors.
Barbara Rodriguez volunteered as Northport/Cow Harbor Soccer Club President, girl’s coordinator of Liberty Cup USA and as State Cup Chairperson, a title she held for an amazing two decades.
Werner Roth played for Brooklyn Technical High School, was the Cosmos captain and had a starring role in the movie “Victory.” After his professional career, became a LIJSL volunteer.
Howard Rubenstein volunteered as President of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association from 1980 to 1984. He was seemingly involved in every aspect of New York soccer for decades.
Barry Salter volunteered as President of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association from 2006 to 2010. The Westchester Youth Soccer League tripled in size when he served as President for 18 seasons, in addition to him being a Board member with the New Rochelle Soccer Club.
Harry Saunders served as President of New York Hota, the Cosmopolitan Soccer League and the Eastern New York adults. Helped create the New York Cosmos in 1971.
Willy Schaller played for Schwaben and BW Gottschee of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League, played for the US at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, then coached youth soccer.
Peter Sedlmair coached in the EHYSL, founded the Northern Westchester Soccer League in 1990 and also played locally.
Stu Serota volunteered as Eastern New York ODP Administrator from 1994 to 2002. Volunteered as Chairperson of the Rockville Centre Soccer Club’s intramural program from 1979 to 1991.
Philip Slone played for Manhattan’s High School of Commerce, competed for the US National Team that finished in third place in the inaugural 1930 World Cup and played professionally in the American Soccer League during the 1930s.
Bill Smith, the Staten Island Youth Soccer League President, started coaching in the Richmondtown Soccer Club, then soon became the Director of the club, growing membership by 71%.
George Snizek won a national championship as the goalkeeper of the Lynbrook Over-30 team in 1994 and has also served the game as coach, referee and West Hempstead Chiefs’ travel team program founder. Also in the National Drag Racing Hall of Fame.
John Steigerwald grew up playing for Eintracht of the CJSL, played as an adult for local clubs and served as Arbiter of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League plus as Eastern New York State Adult Soccer Association Trustee.
Hank Steinbrecher played local youth soccer with the Kollsman Footbal Club and the German Brooklyn soccer team and eventually had leadership positions with US Soccer, the 1994 World Cup and the 1999 Women’s World Cup.
Peter Strumpf played for the Eintracht Soccer Club in the CJSL, then served on the Eintracht Board, then on the Board of Directors of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League, becoming President in 2004. Currently the league’s Treasurer.
Lynne Thibdeau volunteered as Bethlehem Soccer Club President, Director of the Bethlehem Off the Wall Tournament, CDYSL Games Committee Chairperson as well as on Eastern New York’s Board of Directors for over a decade.
Mario Treglia played in goal for New York Hota youth teams in the CJSL, then played for the men’s team. Served as Italian-American Soccer League President, founding its youth program in 1999. Co-founded SS Cosma e Damiano Soccer Club, serves as the Treasurer of the Eastern New York adults today.
Galo Trujillo founded the Mount Kisco Soccer League in 1997 and served as its President for nearly two decades. Referees and coaches at many levels.
Consalvo Turchi, the State Director of Assessment, was State Assigning Chairperson for two decades. Italian-American Soccer League President from 1987 to 1994, he coached Frosinone in the Northeast Super Soccer League.
Fred Valenti served on the Mahopac Soccer Club’s Board of Directors for 15 years as well as EHYSL’s Hall of Fame and Supervisory committees. A top coach and referee for many years.
Vincenzo Valente played for Mount Carmelo’s CYO Program in the Bronx, he founded soccer club Associazione Sportiva Bisceglie that played in the Italian-American Soccer League plus he became President of the Northeast Super Soccer League.
Jerry Valerio served as President of the Brooklyn Italians Soccer Club for over a decade, emphasizing its youth soccer programs.
Enrico Varani, the 2003 National Amateur Coach of the Year, served for many years as a coach in both the LIJSL and Eastern New York ODP.
John Varas played soccer, then became a coach of both boys and girls as well as a top referee and national assessor.
Jose Vargas, a man of many hats, was a coach, East Fishkill Soccer Club President, EHYSL President, referee, State Director of Instruction, State Youth Referee Administrator and State Referee Administrator.
Ray Ward served as President of the Catskill Soccer Club, CDYSL Vice President plus Eastern New York Vice President, Trustee and State Cup chairperson.
Burt Wilkes, the former Vice Chair of Region 1, has continued moving up the youth soccer ladder, from Silver Lake Soccer Club President to CJSL President to Eastern New York Vice President. Has volunteered on many committees.
Hilda Wolfe was an extraordinary presence in youth soccer for four decades, serving as Eastern New York’s office manager during this time and helping it grow into one of the largest state associations in the United States.
Ray Wolfe, who served as Eastern New York’s State Youth Referee Administrator for nearly a decade before his passing this year, played in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League, coached with B/W Gottschee of the CJSL and then became a top referee, officiating pro games.
Gus Xikis, the Long Island Soccer Football League President, played local soccer and coached many youth teams, including with Eastern New York ODP.
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 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.
