By Anonymous (not verified), July 22, 2025
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
July 22, 2025-The Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), the largest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), has the largest scholarship program in Eastern New York. The league distributed 27 scholarships at the LIJSL Scholarship Breakfast on Sunday, July 20 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 idealistic 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 44 years just as soccer has grown in the United States. Nearly $30,000 in scholarships were awarded this year. Almost half of the scholarships are named after longtime league volunteers and the program is under the direction of Matt McElwee.
LIJSL Scholarship Committee member Lynn Scarpati, in noting that six of the scholarships are named after teenagers tragically killed by drunk drivers, advised the scholarship recipients that “as you move on to college, seek kids who have the same values as you.”
Congratulations to all the LIJSL Scholarship recipients:
• Emily Love attending Providence College, Bill Peet Memorial Scholarship
• Alex Cerrotta attending Providence College, Marc Stein Memorial Scholarship
• Andrew Greco attending Stony Brook University, Jerry and Sally Marinan Memorial Scholarship
• Samantha Solar attending the University of Scranton, Brittney Walsh Memorial Scholarship
• Peter Udilovich attending Cornell University, Brittney Walsh Memorial Scholarship
• Iyoshua Baxter attending SUNY North County CC, Sean Urda Memorial Scholarship
• Patrick Himmel attending Cortland State, Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award Scholarship
• Patrick Himmel attending Cortland State, Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award Scholarship
• Dana Scruggs attending Cortland State, Peter C. Collins Presidential Scholarship
• Emma Cross attending Utica University, Addie Mattei-Iaia Presidential Scholarship
• Emma Cross attending Utica University, Addie Mattei-Iaia Presidential Scholarship
• Maura Reilly attending Stetson University, Pat Grecco Scholarship
• Christine Lombardi attending Siena College, Tania Bonilla Memorial Scholarship
• Nicholas Genna attending St. John's University, LIJSL Merit Scholarship
• Nicholas Tonorezos attending the University of Maryland, LIJSL Merit Scholarship
• Guilia Zingone attending the University of Buffalo, Joseph Lombardo Memorial Scholarship
• Owen Sacket attending Indiana University, Matthew Scarpati Memorial Scholarship
• Owen Sacket attending Indiana University, Matthew Scarpati Memorial Scholarship
• Sophia McCord attending SUNY-ESF, Michael Scarpati Memorial Goalkeeper Scholarship
• Oscar Dalton attending Swarthmore College, Miles For Matt Foundation Scholarship
• Michael Donovan attending Binghamton University, Miles For Matt Foundation Scholarship
• Avery Whitehouse attending Penn State University, Miles For Matt Foundation Scholarship
• Samantha Donovan attending William Paterson University, Carolyn Page Memorial Scholarship
• Jadyn Hsu attending Hofstra University, Sandra Atlas Bass Scholarship
• Jadyn Hsu attending Hofstra University, Sandra Atlas Bass Scholarship
• David Scala attending Boston University, Frank Gorman Memorial Scholarship
• Itai Hershko attending Indiana University, John Pinezich Memorial Scholarship
• Jack Visnius attending the University of South Carolina, Michael Secko Memorial Scholarship
• Itai Hershko attending Indiana University, John Pinezich Memorial Scholarship
• Jack Visnius attending the University of South Carolina, Michael Secko Memorial Scholarship
• Manal Layachi attending St. John's University, LIJSL TOPSoccer Volunteer Scholarship
• Jonah Drew attending Syracuse University, George Hoffman TOPSoccer Volunteer Scholarship
• Thomas Mark attending Mount Saint Mary College, George Hoffman TOPSoccer Volunteer Scholarship
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 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 US Youth Soccer.
Editor's Note: We are glad to see a pair going to our St. John's, many are going to very good soccer and academic schools. We go back over 40 years with some who have the scholarships in their names and generations in their famililes.