By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
December 12, 2022-The Long Island Soccer Referees Association (LISRA) is the largest referee group in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). 680 referees make up LISRA and they officiated 12,300 games during the recently-completed Fall Season.
The LISRA Holiday Party at the James E. Allen Elementary School in Dix Hills last Thursday night, December 8 saw awards given to 15 referees who have particularly made a difference on Long Island soccer fields.
“None of the referees we are honoring tonight have stood still, they continue to improve, sometimes by quantum leaps,” explained LISRA Recording Secretary Jean-Marie Maio.
The 2022 LISRA Referee of the Year Award, for the ref who goes above and beyond every day for the non-profit organization, went to Marty Foeppel, pictured above surrounded by his loving family.
Marty does not give out red or yellow cards as much as white cards, the LISRA business card, in his unending efforts to recruit new referees. 200 recently completed certification, partly through the efforts of Marty, and many will join the LISRA ranks next spring.
The Silver Whistle Award for excellence in officiating went to Gus Koldorff, pictured above, who not only refs very well but makes sure that he always offers suggestions to improve the perfomance of his assistant referees. From left to right is LISRA Recording Secretary Jean-Marie Maio, Gus, LISRA Trustee Cheryl Aronson and LISRA Executive Vice President Alan Starost.
Sam Abdelfattah received the Emrys Joseph Rookie of the Year Award. Emrys was a very personable LISRA ref and member of the Board of Directors who passed away 32 years ago and this award has been given annually in his honor ever since.
Atahan Yetimoglu (left in photo above) won the Rising Star Award for young referee of the year. His sister, Tuana Yetimoglu (center), received the Ironwoman of the Year Award for officiating 117 games as both referee and assistant ref (AR) during the Fall Season. They are pictured with their injured sister, Armina Yetimoglu (on right), who will be back officiating in 2023.
The Ironman of the Year went to Kenny Salguero, who officiated an incredible 138 games during the Fall Season as both ref and AR.
Officiating is also a family affair in the Koldorff family and Gus’ son, Adam Koldorff, received the Ace of Initiative Award. Adam is on the left in the above photo standing next to LISRA Trustee Cheryl Aaronson and Executive Vice President Alan Starost.
Adam just got back from officiating the MLS NEXT Fest in Palm Springs, California. Also noted as up-and-coming refs are Justin Grinberg and Anthony Spiezio.
Allison Abzug and Liam Brown-DeVirgilio received the Mario Boltri Assistant Referee Award. The award’s namesake is a former LISRA President who created the chapter’s AR program after the turn of the millennium.
Assistant referees also honored by LISRA on that cold winter night were Oona Brown-DeVirgilio, Julia Cruz, Nick Neri and Gabriella Schwalm. The AR awards are based on the ratings of the refs who grade the assistants after every game plus comments from the refs as well as the assignors.
Interested in becoming a soccer referee or assistant ref on Long Island? Then contact 2022 Referee of the Year Marty Foeppel at mfoeppel@lisoccerrefs.org and he will explain how to get started.
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. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/