With Gino from a bit upstate, I turned my attention to Astoria and Nick Megalouids of the Megaloudis family from Astoria, many generations entrenched in local and national soccer, now 4 generatios deep. From the PR National team, NASL, MISL, NCAA & NJCAA coaching & playing, MLS coaching, high level youth coaches, player agent, pro player in Greece and more bound from this rich lineage. Nick himself is a high level coach with the Manhattan Soccer Club, the DOC from my hometowm who I am certain watched Nick play for the NY Arrows and may very well have seen Gino ref as a youth player here on Long Island, literally in the next town from another who lent us a quote, Michael Collins. Nick had coached with the Mutiny and is still at it, such a tribute to his love for the game. Most players do not like the ref, even with this, Nick was effusive in his supoert for the enshrinemdnt of Gino stating.
"If there is anyone deserving the honor of being inducted into the US HOF it is Gino D'Ippolito. A true pioneer and professional. One of the best referees to ever come out of the US."
This is high phrase from one with such deep roots in the game in the USA, and I am in lockstep with him on it.
Author: Sean McCaffery
USSF C LIsc, Member Society of American Soccer Historians, North American Soccer Reporters