By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
July 28, 2023-The Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), the largest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), distributed 27 scholarships at the LIJSL Scholarship Breakfast on Sunday, July 23 at the Huntington Hilton. These well-rounded teenagers, selected based on academic and athletic excellence plus community service, exemplify the mission of the league and its slogan of “Building Character Through Soccer.”
The LIJSL Scholarship Program began in 1981 when one boy and one girl each received a scholarship and it has grown exponentially over the past 42 years just as soccer has grown in the United States. The scholarship program is now under the direction of Matt McElwee.
New this year is the Robinson-Monses Pay It Forward Scholarship. Sean Monses received a LIJSL Scholarship in 2009 and since the Robinson and Monses families were helped by this scholarship, they decided to pay it forward to help another deserving teenager.
Lynn Scarpati, the former Scholarship Chairperson, exhorted the student-athletes to “Surround yourself with positive influences and continue to be the positive influence that you are.” LIJSL President Andrew Seabury quoted Ted Lasso in stating, “Doing the right thing is never the wrong thing.”
Congratulations to all the LIJSL Scholarship recipients:
• Finnegan Corcoran-Doolin attending Marist College, Bill Peet Memorial Scholarship
• Michael Fallon attending The Ohio State University, Marc Stein Memorial Scholarship
• Nicholas Mrakovcic attending the University of South Carolina, Jerry and Sally Marinan Memorial Scholarship
• Natalia Lutz attending Oneonta State, Brittney Walsh Memorial Scholarship
• Riley Schroeder attending Coastal Carolina University, Brittney Walsh Memorial Scholarship
• Sean Browne attending the University of Pittsburgh, Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award Scholarship
• Gabriel Alcaraz attending Boston College, Sean Urda Memorial Scholarship
• Gabriel Alcaraz attending Boston College, Sean Urda Memorial Scholarship
• Nicholas Piombino attending the College of Wlliam and Mary, Peter C. Collins Presidential Scholarship
• Christopher Simon attending Auburn University, Addie Mattei-Iaia Presidential Scholarship
• Christopher Simon attending Auburn University, Addie Mattei-Iaia Presidential Scholarship
• Jacob Raphan attending Vassar College, Pat Grecco Scholarship
• Jack Young attending SUNY Maritme, Robinson-Monses Pay It Forward Scholarship
• Jonas Mata attending Queens College, Frank and Michael Vertullo Foundation Scholarship
• Nicolas Neri attending the University of Buffalo, Frank and Michael Vertullo Foundation Scholarship
• Juliana Ayala attending Boston University, Tania Bonilla Memorial Scholarship
• Juliana Ayala attending Boston University, Tania Bonilla Memorial Scholarship
• Jack Lamberg attending Binghamton University, LIJSL Merit Scholarship
• Taylor Weber attending SUNY ESF, LIJSL Merit Scholarship
• Michael Glueck attending Tufts University, Joseph Lombardo Memorial Scholarship
• Sal Meloni attending SUNY Delhi University, Michael Scarpati Memorial Scholarship
• Sal Meloni attending SUNY Delhi University, Michael Scarpati Memorial Scholarship
• Jasmine Roldan attending SUNY Old Westbury, Miles For Matt Foundation Scholarship
• Jessica Fackler attending Syracuse University, Carolyn Page Memorial Scholarship
• Fiona Schlegel attending Boston College, Sandra Atlas Bass Scholarship
• Fiona Schlegel attending Boston College, Sandra Atlas Bass Scholarship
• Efstathios Spathis attending St. Joseph’s University, Frank Gorman Memorial Scholarship
• Christopher Pena attending Nova Southeastern University, John Pinezich Memorial Scholarship
• Ava Matlin attending the University of Delaware, Michael Secko Memorial Scholarship
• Christopher Pena attending Nova Southeastern University, John Pinezich Memorial Scholarship
• Ava Matlin attending the University of Delaware, Michael Secko Memorial Scholarship
• Juliana Edwards attending the University of Delaware, LIJSL and George Hoffman TOPSoccer Volunteer Scholarship
• Sophia Mania attending Tufts University, LIJSL and George Hoffman TOPSoccer Volunteer Scholarship
• Isabella Pepe attending George Washington University, LIJSL and George Hoffman TOPSoccer Volunteer Scholarship
With approximately 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 10 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. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/