39 Division Champions and three scholarship winners honored at the East Hudson Youth Soccer League’s Dinner of Champions

(Via Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association) – On July 8 and 9, while the national teams of Germany and Argentina were advancing from the semifinals of the World Cup in Brazil, the East Hudson Youth Soccer League (EHYSL) honored their own champs 5,000 miles away during the EHYSL Dinner of Champions at Anthony’s Pier 9 Restaurant in New Windsor. 39 East Hudson squads were honored and recognized for winning their 2013-14 division titles on July 8 and 9.

Over 1,000 people––players, coaches and parents––attended the two EHYSL Dinner of Champions, an annual event starting in the 1970s when EHYSL was one of the first youth soccer leagues to join the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). All coaches were honored, given the team trophy and they introduced all their players, who were then given individual trophies and posed for team photos.

“We gather every year to celebrate the outstanding achievement of our players and teams being crowned league champions. They represent all the teams whose efforts throughout the season bring joy to all of us who enjoy this great game,” said EHYSL President Jim Purdy. “Beyond the players, we also salute all the coaches, volunteers, and parents whose time, attention and commitment make our league and the clubs that comprise it so successful, providing the development, in all arenas, that our players benefit from.”

The keynote speaker was Kevin McCrudden, President of Motivate America and Publisher of Soccer Long Island Magazine, who spoke about youth soccer players needing to understand the advantages and gifts their parents have provided them and on continuing to improve themselves in the future.

Three players who did exactly that received EHYSL Scholarships during the Dinner of Champions. Cristina M. Cummings of the Kingston Soccer Club was honored with the Michael Goldberg Scholarship while the East Fishkill Soccer Club’s Christopher DeMan plus Tristan K. Reynolds of the Highland Soccer Club received the two Dan Herbst Scholarships. Michael Goldberg was a 15-year-old boy playing in the EHYSL for the Chappaqua Soccer Club when he died of leukemia and his family started the scholarship to honor his fulfilling yet brief life. Herbst also died from leukemia, in 2001. He was a longtime soccer journalist and author, past President of the Yorktown Soccer Club and in his first term as EHYSL President when he passed away at age 48.

“These three scholarship recipients have exhibited excellence not only on the soccer field but in the classroom and the community as well,” President Purdy stated.