New Jersey Youth Soccer appoints Evan Dabby as new Exec. Director

EAST WINDSOR, NJ – New Jersey Youth Soccer has appointed former Major League Soccer senior staff member Evan Dabby as Executive Director. Dabby will oversee all aspects of the state association’s business operations.

“We are very excited to have Evan joins our organization. He is an excellent choice to replace Joe Robb upon his retirement. Evan brings to this position a very strong soccer and administrative background. His forward looking vision will assist us in maintaining and improving our programs,” said NJYS President, Roy Squillario.

Dabby’s role will task him with administrating and further developing the numerous programs that are offered by New Jersey Youth Soccer. These include recreational, competitive and developmental youth soccer programs.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help families in my home state grow the beautiful game at the youth level,” said Dabby. “We have an incredible and storied soccer tradition in New Jersey, developing some of our country’s brightest talent, including Tab Ramos, Claudio Reyna, Gregg Berhalter, Tim Howard, Christie Pearce, Heather O’Reilly, Tobin Heath, Carly Lloyd, and so many others. New Jersey Youth Soccer facilitates a healthy, inclusive environment for more than 150,000 young people to add life skills while playing the game they love. I look forward to working closely with the leagues, coaches, administrators and families to build on NJYS’s strong foundation.”

Dabby joins NJYS after 16 years in MLS’s league office in New York City. During his tenure at MLS, he was an integral part of the League’s operations department, which grew from overseeing 12 teams to 19 teams during his time there. Dabby helped establish and maintain League standards in game and stadium operations, game production, team travel, security, supporter relations and sports medicine. In his most recent position as Senior Director of Supporter Relations & Safety, he spearheaded MLS’ concussion-education and prevention program, as well as other player safety-related initiatives, working directly with club and medical staff, as well medical boards, players and their union.

Dabby brings with him to NJYS a rich soccer background. Growing up in Tenafly, New Jersey, he earned All-State Honors as captain of the men’s team at Tenafly High School, which won the 1993 Bergen County championship. He subsequently played four years of soccer at Tufts University, where captained the team and earned All-New England honors. He went on to earn a graduate degree from New York University in sports management.

Dabby, his wife Kira, and their two children live in Freehold, NJ. He continues to play soccer in New Jersey.