From left to right in photo: Hugh Grant, Andrew So, Maria Martinez, Mohamed Konate and Sean Fitzpatrick
In February 2021, the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is honoring South Bronx United as our Club of the Month. No big acceptance speeches needed this time partly because we are not allowed to have large gatherings yet.
“Amazing job by Andrew So who not only develops soccer players but also young men and women who graduate club ball and move on to college with athletic and academic honors,” commented CJSL Director Dimitrie Draguca. "This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Andrew and his staff.”
Andrew was recently honored by US Youth Soccer’s East Region as the Administrator of the Year. He founded the non-profit South Bronx United in 2009, along with his wife Stephanie, to build leaders and scholars through soccer.
“I started an afterschool soccer group at the school in the South Bronx where I taught. Through this experience, I realized two things,” Andrew explained. “One was students, many of whom had no prior interest in soccer, needed and longed for an out-of-school program where they could get off the streets, be with their peers and be supported in a safe environment. The second item was youth, primarily from immigrant families who grow up within a soccer culture, could greatly benefit from the chance to compete. Those skills and passion for soccer could provide opportunities in school, college and careers while also developing character and leadership.”
South Bronx United organizes community programs at Macombs Dam Park, Mullaly Park and Patterson Park in the South Bronx in addition to several elementary schools. Their travel teams play most of their home games on Randalls Island or the Mott Haven Educational Campus. 1,300 players are registered with South Bronx United, making it the CJSL’s largest club.
“The youth soccer club is one component of our programs and defines our organization as the primary way we reach and stay connected to youth who are otherwise underserved and often would not connect with other community-based youth organizations and youth service agencies,” Andrew stated. ”We are a youth development organization that merges the passion that South Bronx and immigrant youth have for soccer with off-the-field programs and services to better our community.”
Fields and funding are particular challenges and South Bronx United must raise over 95% of its budget to offer programs. The cost to families to participate is no more than $100 per child annually and it’s waived for many families who face immense financial hardship.
“Working with South Bronx and immigrant families is amazing because of all the unique characteristics, backgrounds and cultures everyone brings,” Andrew said. ”It is very challenging too. Parental involvement is low, because parents are very stretched by work and children and, for many, just making sure they can provide a roof and food. Some youth we work with do not even have any parents here to support them.”
South Bronx United programs include academic enrichment and tutoring, mentoring, leadership development, immigration legal services plus other individual and family services. Through the SBU Academy, the organization provides a pathway from middle school to high school to college to careers. It’s working as 100% of SBU Academy players since 2012 have graduated high school, compared to 56% of public school students in the South Bronx. 94% of program graduates have gone on to college. Graduates of the SBU Academy Class of 2020 are attending colleges such as Binghamton University, Connecticut College, Kenyon College, Fordham University, Skidmore College and Stony Brook University.
