CYSA has Inducted Gladys Olsen into the 2009 CYSA Hall of Fame

Gladys became involved with youth soccer when her youngest son, Roland, played for Roeding Elementary School in Fresno.  her involvement soon escalated to her election as the Fresno Area Representative for the Fresno Junior Soccer League Board.  She also served on many committees during that time.  In 1982, the Fresno Junior Soccer League was split into 6 leagues and Gladys became involved in the newly formed Fresno Metro Youth Soccer League.  There she as served as President, Tournament Director, P&A Chair, and Registrar - a position that she still holds today.  Gladys was also instrumental in forming the Fresno Monarch Soccer Club, which is their competitive and upper age program.  As President of the Fresno Metro YSL, Gladys became involved with the District VII Board of Directors.  There she has served as Assistant Commissioner, Secretary, Treasurer, Chairman of P&A Committee, and chairman of the District Playing League.

Not one to say "no," she has served as the CYSA State level as Secretary, First Vice Chairman, and has participated in many committees.  She has also served on the Region IV Protest & Appeals Committee.  Gladys even had a short lived career as a player (adult).  The League was called Kick and Chase, and her career came to a sudden end when she broke her leg.

Along with her son Roland, she has two other children, Connie and David, and two grandchildren.

She continues to serve as Fresno Metro Registrar and as the Secretary/Treasurer of District VII.

When asked why she does it, her answer is simple: "I just want the kids to play."

CYSA congratulates Gladys on a honor that is so well deserved!

CYSA Hall of Fame Inductees

 CYSA Awards Ticket Order Form - CYSA Coach of the Year & Hall of Fame Dinner

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Policies and Procedures

CYSA Hall of Fame Nominations are due into the CYSA State Office on Friday October 1st, 2010.  All Applications for consideration must be either mailed or faxed.

 Hall of Fame Nomination Form

1. PURPOSE

To honor those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to youth soccer as a player, coach, referee, administrator or other youth soccer-related activities by worthy participants.

2. COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION

1. The Chairman of CYSA shall appoint a Committee and name the Chairman of the Committee. The Committee term is two (2) years.

2. The Committee shall be composed of no less than three (3) and no more than seven (7) members, including the Chairman. The Committee members must have a thorough knowledge of CYSA history and the game at all levels.

3. SELECTION PROCESS FOR NOMINATIONS

1. Nominee's selection shall be initiated by individual leagues or a member of the CYSA Board of Directors.

2. Candidates may be nominated three (3) times. If not selected after three (3) nominations, they will not be given any further consideration unless recommended by the Hall of Fame Committee.

3. Anyone nominated before this organization may be re-nominated by the Hall of Fame Committee.

4. The nominee's resume shall be concise and reflect the chronology of major contributions and achievements.

5. All resumes shall be typed on the CYSA Hall of Fame form (see "Forms" section).

6. Completed nomination forms shall be sent to the CYSA office by October 1st. The nomination form shall be recorded at the office and copies shall be sent to the Hall of Fame Committee for review.

7. The Committee will only accept resumes received at the CYSA State Office.

8. The Committee shall make a decision on all nominees by November 1st.

9. The CYSA Board of Directors shall make the final decisions on the nominees recommended by the Committee.

10. Installation of newly elected Hall of Fame members shall take place at the CYSA Annual Soccer Expo, Hall of Fame Dinner Event.

4. CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

The CYSA Hall of Fame nominee should reflect all contributions with the emphasis on CYSA contribution.

 

1. CYSA Hall of Fame Nominee

   1. Eligibility: To become eligible for nomination to the CYSA Hall of Fame, a minimum of fifteen (15) years in service to youth soccer is required, of which ten (10) years must be under the auspices of CYSA. A nominee currently serving on the CYSA Board of Directors is not eligible.

   2. Selection: The Hall of Fame Committee may select a maximum of two (2) individuals each year to the Hall of Fame, or it may choose to select none, if it is felt that the nominees proposed do not meet the qualifications.

    

2. CYSA Hall of Fame Player Award

1. Eligibility: All players nominated shall have distinguished themselves with a high standard of play under the guidance and auspices of CYSA, US Youth Soccer or USSF. This includes competition at the State Association level as a member of a team representing CYSA, US Youth Soccer or USSF. Players shall be eligible for nomination five (5) years after completing their eligibility to play in youth soccer.

2. Selection: The Hall of Fame Committee may select a maximum of two (2) players each year to the Hall of Fame, or it may choose to select none, if it is felt that the nominees proposed do not meet the qualifications.

3. CYSA Meritorious Service Award

1. Eligibility: Nominations for this Award are for individuals involved in soccer in non-playing capacities at Team, League, State, Regional, National or International levels.

2. Selection: Nominations may be made at any time.

4. CYSA Special Commendation Award

1. Eligibility: Nominations for this Award are for individuals involved in soccer in non-playing capacities at Team, League, State, Regional, National or International levels.

2. Selection: Nominations may be made at any time.

5. AWARDS

   1. CYSA Hall of Fame Nominee: Each individual inducted into the Hall of Fame shall receive a suitable award and certificate.

   2. CYSA Hall of Fame Player: same as above.

   3. CYSA Meritorious Service: plaque and certificate.

   4. CYSA Special Commendation: patch, pin or certificate.

Don Greer CYSA Founder  - 1975

Donald Greer (1925-1996) was truly dedicated to the sport and aspired to influence its growth and organization at all levels. Donald played schoolboy soccer in England and served in the Merchant Navy during World War II.  Don's passion for the sport of soccer originated in England beginning in 1937.  Don participated as a player, coach and manager of the Norton Road School team in Luton, England.

After moving to the United States in 1946, Don became involved with the Olympic Club in San Francisco.  Don played for San Francisco Olympic, Hayward United and Hermania Soccer Club in the San Francisco-Hayward area from 1946 to 1964. Don's won the San Francisco League Championship with Hermania in 1958 and was a finalist in California Soccer Association North Jr. Cup from 1959 to 1961.  Coach and Team Manager with Hermania from 1956-1964. Founded Hayward United U12-U16-U18 teams in 1958 and led U18's to the California State Title in 1965.

Don founded the California Youth Soccer Association (CYSA) in 1968 and served as its Chairman from 1968 to 1975.  Don was inducted into the CYSA's Hall of Fame in 1975.  Greer's vision wasn't limited to the borders of California as he set to make an impact at a national level.  After founding the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) in 1974, Don served as its chairman for the next 10 years.  He served as the United States Soccer Federation vice president from 1972-1984.  During his term of office, player registrations grew from 32,000 in 1974 to 1,153,000 in 1984. Today, CYSA is the largest youth state soccer association with over 214,000 registered players and US Youth Soccer is the largest youth sports organization in the nation with over 3 million registered players annually.

Greer's vision launched the James P. McGuire Cup, the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (US Youth Soccer ODP) and established regional and sub-regional youth programs for member state associations during his tenure.  The "McGuire Cup" is the oldest youth sports trophy in the country and is the foundation of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series competition.  This competition is the most prestigious youth soccer competition in the United States. The US Youth Soccer ODP continues to be the premier player development and identification program in the nation with such alums as Kristine Lilly, Landon Donovan, Shannon Boxx and Jozy Altidore, to name a few.  An Under 17 Boys National Championship was established in 1991. The Don Greer Cup was named for United States Youth Soccer Association founder, Don Greer.

Greer's dedication and vision continues to be recognized.  In 1985, he was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.  In 1992, Greer received the US Youth Soccer Founder's Award and in 1993 the US Youth Soccer Under-17 Boys National Championship was named "The Don Greer Cup" in his honor.

Donald Greer is the charter member of the US Youth Soccer Hall of Fame, established in 2007.  As a charter member, Donald Greer was inducted into the US Youth Soccer Hall of Fame in 2008.

Harold Young - 1976 

John Whittock - 1977 

Ken Mullen - 1977

Matthew Boxer - 1979

Umberto Abronzino - 1979

Joseph Belluzzo - 1980 

Every California soccer community probably has one of these - that one person who started the soccer ball rolling in their area.  In Santa Rosa, that person is 84-year-old Joe Belluzzo.  Belluzzo calls himself a "soccer nut" but people who know Belluzzo call this soccer enthusiast and pioneer the "father of soccer."  Belluzzo's story may sound similar to other soccer pioneers across this state and even in this country.  Still, it's important to remember these soccer stories and pass them onto others because local soccer continues to be the foundation for this growing sport.

For more than 50 years, Belluzzo's passion and love for soccer has created playing opportunities for adults and youth in his community.  Belluzzo has received many honors for his years of devotion to soccer and for his lifelong community contributions.  Some of his honors include his 1980 CYSA Hall of Fame induction and his Santa Rosa Citizen of the Year award in 1975.  But his most cherished accomplishment is a very simple one that just makes him feel good inside.

"I get so much joy from just seeing soccer being played where I live, Belluzzo smiled.  "Every time I go down the street and see a little kid kicking a soccer ball, that makes me feel wonderful."  For Belluzzo, life has always revolved around his favorite sport and passion:  soccer.

How The Love Started

Belluzzo's love for the game of soccer began in the streets of Verano, Italy, where he lived until age 20.  "As a kid growing up in Verano, you played soccer.  It was organized by ourselves; you tossed a coin in the air, chose teams and played," Belluzzo recalled.  "Soccer is a religion over there (in Italy). It's fun.

Belluzzo's "fun" was usurped by reality when he was drafted into the Italian army during World War II.  He was captured in Northern Africa by the United States during the war and was sent to a POW camp in Arizona.  After the war ended, he took a machinist job in San Francisco and that's where he met his wife, Doris.  They've been married almost 57 years.  In San Francisco, Belluzzo spent every Sunday watching live soccer games played in the San Francisco Men's Soccer League (SFSFL).  Soccer on Sundays was a tradition and a part of his Italian culture.

Got Soccer?

Belluzzo eventually moved to Santa Rosa in 1956 and quickly realized he couldn't find any soccer to watch.  That bothered him.  "There was nothing here (Santa Rosa).  I was used to Europe where every Sunday you'd see a soccer game.  But here you couldn't find any soccer, so I had to create something," he said.  And that's exactly what Belluzzo did.

"A bunch of us foreigners started kicking the ball around at Monroe school every Tuesday.  They (other soccer players) heard the news and they came and played too.  Word spread and eventually a team was formed," Belluzzo reminisced.

These "drop in" players, the Santa Rosa Kickers, were the area's first men's adult soccer team.  Belluzzo started the team in 1957 and was coach.  The Kickers played against seven other teams in the San Francisco Men's Soccer League.  The team stayed together for about four years until the players "got old and got families and didn't want to travel anymore," Belluzzo said.  Despite its break up, Belluzzo's Kickers helped set the field for more organized soccer in Santa Rosa.

Sharing The Passion

As the years passed, Belluzzo lived his adult life in Santa Rosa, becoming a father of three children and working full-time as a machinist.  Soccer remained in his heart and mind just like a "religion".  He worshipped it, followed it and shared it with others.

"His love in soccer and always has been - no other sports," Doris said. "Just soccer, soccer, soccer - he has a one-track mind."

Eventually the time came when Belluzzo wanted to share his passion for soccer with his son Rick.  In 1965, he looked for a youth soccer league for his son to play in and found none.  Again, Belluzzo chose to be a creator instead of a sideline spectator.

A Step Forward

That year, Belluzzo and an "Englishman" formed two organized soccer teams, U-12 and U-10 boys' teams.  The two men signed up 33 boys and, on Sundays, they informally played other boys teams in neighboring cities.  One of Belluzzo's favorite soccer memories involved a playing field.

"After we formed these two boys' teams, I remember we went to the Santa Rosa Park and Recreation Department and asked for a practice field.  They gave us a field with an oak tree right in the middle.  I looked at that field and thought, 'This is a soccer field?!'" Belluzzo laughed.

Four years later, organized youth soccer in Santa Rosa took another step forward in its development.  In 1969, Belluzzo and a small group of parents formed the Santa Rosa Youth Soccer League (SRYSL).  According to Belluzzo, about 200 boys and 18 girls signed up to player soccer that year.  The cost to join was just $3.  By 1972, the SRYSL numbers exploded and about 1,500 boys and girls joined and played soccer that year.  Soccer's increased popularity in his community and in the United States hasn't surprised Belluzzo.

"It's a fun game.  It's a GREAT game. It's attractive to kids."  A lifetime SRYSL board member, Belluzzo still attends the monthly meetings. 

"He's definitely considered the father of soccer in this area," said Cindy Toran.  "Joe was the one who organized both adult and youth soccer in Santa Rosa.  It was hard in the beginning.  Of course, other people have helped along the way but all of 'this' is because of his efforts," she said.

"This" refers to the almost 500 teams and 6,000 boys and girls between the age of 4 and 18 playing soccer in the Santa Rosa area today in District V alone, which includes the city of Santa Rosa and Kenwood, has an estimated 221,000 residents.

The Shoe Bank

At 84, Belluzzo remains active.  Although he no longer forms soccer teams or starts up leagues, he does kick out ceremonial balls at games and cuts ribbons at ground breakings of local fields.  He's become somewhat of a soccer dignitary in the Santa Rosa area.

Belluzzo spends most of his energy operating his renowned shoe bank he started 25 years ago.  Hundreds of children visit his garage every year to trade in outgrown cleats for a larger pair.  Belluzzo started the shoe bank with a bag of cleats and now has an entire wall full of outdoor and indoor soccer shoes. 

"It's a job I can do well and I'm going to do it as long as I can," Belluzzo said.  "People that came to my shoe bank as kids are now bringing their grandkids here.  I've met a lot of nice people; a lot of people have come to this garage - all types."  "He talks for hours out there (in the garage)," added Doris.

Young At Heart

Soccer has kept Belluzzo young at heart and happy in spirit.  And like most people, Belluzzo has a dream too.  "I hope that someday soccer will be as popular as football is in the United States.  It's to stay (soccer).  It makes me feel good to have been part of that," Belluzzo said. 

Not only has Belluzzo been a part of it, he helped create it.  His legacy will live on as long as adults and children play soccer and nothing could make Belluzzo happier.

Marino Mangiola - 1980

Ernie Feibusch - 1981

Douglas and Norrien Fields - 1981

November - 2006 CYSA recently lost a long-time member of our soccer family.  Doug Fields, a CYSA Hall of Fame member, passed away on August 10, 2006 after a battle with cancer.  Doug became a well-known and highly regarded figure in the soccer community as one of the sport's early pioneers in the Bay Area.  He was instrumental in the formation of organized youth soccer in the Livermore Valley as well as in the District III and State Association level.

As with most devotees of the sport, Doug began his soccer career in 1968 coaching his children on local club teams.  From those humble beginnings he served as a representative to the Al Caffodio Board in 1971-1975, the Al Caffodio League manager from 1975-1978, CYSA State Cup Committee Chairman form 1978-1985, CYSA District III Commissioner from 1983-1988 and Second Vice Chairman on the CYSA Board of Directors from 1989-1992.

Doug's involvement in soccer did not end there.  From 1971  until the time of his illness, he had filled various roles in the referee ranks as a USSF referee, a member of the West Coast Inter Collegiate Soccer Officials Association, a Referee Instructor and Referee Assessor.

Born in Boulder, Colo., in 1935, Doug's family migrated to California where he grew up and attended school, graduating from Alhambra High School in Martinez, CA.  He served in the US Naval Reserve for 14 years.  A Livermore resident for 43 years, he worked at Lawrence Livermore Lab from 1961 until his retirement in 1993.  Doug was active in numberous activities in the community and was a familiar face on the local soccer fields.

An avid outdoorsman, Doug loved traveling with family and friends, particularly to his beloved vacation spot, Maui.  Doug and Norrine, his wife of 49 years, were inseparable and together worked on various soccer "projects."  In 1981  the City of Livermore honored them with a proclamation for their role in expanding the local soccer league from just 17 teams in 1968 to 1100 players in 1981.  Their extraordinary joint volunteer resume includes working on the Olympics at Stanford Stadium in 1984, World Cup in 1994, and Women's World Cup in 1999 and 2003.  They also served as ushers for the San Jose Earthquakes, San Jose Clash, and San Jose CYberRays.  The strength of their partnership garnered Dough and Norrien a shared induction in the CYSA Hall of Fame in 1981.  So close were the two of them that people who knew them foundly called them by one long name - Dougannorrine!

A devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, Doug faced his last moments with the same no-nonsense attitude and good-humor that was always his style.  His example of how to live one's life to the fullest was one we should all strive to achieve.  Doug's grace was amazing and he will truly be missed.

George Sundquist - 1983

Clay Berling - 1983

Addie Hamm - 1984

Oscar Litz - 1984

Mike Greer - 1984

Lucien Maccario - 1985

Reprinted with permission - THE HERALD, October 21, 1987.

By Steve Herendeen

I remember the first time I came face to face with Lucien Maccario.

It was back in 1978 and I was still in my first year with The Herald sports department.  In those days, I did a lot of weekend duty, banging out the drudge bits and pieces of the Sunday and Monday papers.  On occasion, I'd get a feature thrown my way.

On this particular slow August day, then-sports editor Tim Hunt had penciled the name "Frenchy Maccario" on a piece of paper on my desk.  I knew French had been in on the ground floor of youth soccer, but I had little else on the man.  I was to put together a feature story for an upcoming special tab issue on soccer.

The day didn't stay slow for long.  Frenchy blew into the office in the early afternoon, dressed in a sweater, slacks and that ever-present black beret.  He was talking in his heavy French accent about soccer almost from the moment he hit the seat at the desk and didn't stop until almost two hours later.

In that time block he carried me through his youth in France, emigration to the United States, the starting of the 12-boy Atomic Soccer Club and his ongoing feuds with the powers that be in the Livermore Soccer Club.  There was nothing offhand about anything he told me.  Every word, particularly those dealing with soccer, were spoken with deep feeling.

When he finally did stop talking soccer, he shook my hand and left the office as abruptly as he'd arrived.

All I could say as I watched the man many call the valley's "founding father to youth soccer," walk out of sight was, "Whew!"

Frenchy, who died Sunday, October 18 at the age of 66 following an illness, made that impression on most of the people he met.

He was a man who dearly loved soccer and was willing to do anything - or take on anybody - to make sure the game was taught and played the right way.  The "right way," he always felt, was his way.

And you couldn't find a more passionate man than Frenchy when it came to teaching a kid how to correctly dribble a ball or make that perfect crossing pass.  The wins weren't as important as playing the game correctly, yet Frenchy led that rag-tag first Atomic team to the Alcosta Championship at the Oakland Coliseum that first year.

Livermore Area Recreation and Park District General Manager Bill Payne certainly knew about the Maccario passion.  Payne's two sons, Mike and Danny, both played on that first Atomics team.  Danny went to play pro soccer and Mike eventually became Livermore High's varsity coach.

"Frenchy's interest in sports and youth were amazing.  They were his whole life," said Payne.

"Sometimes he got a little excited and hard to understand and that caused some people to back off, but he was certainly sincere," Payne went on.  "He ruffled some feathers, but all he ever wanted was what was best for the kids and the game.

"He proably spent more hours at it than anyone will ever know."

It is unfortunate that French's many battles with the soccer establishment (some of which led to legal confrontations) tended to tarnish his many accomplishments at the youth level.

Larry Boldrini, the president of the Ballistic United Soccer Club in Pleasanton, says that is unfair.

"I think a lot of people who weren't here when youth soccer got off the ground are unaware of the amount of work he put in," Boldrini said of Maccario.  "but nobody can take away what he did.  He coached, refereed, held clinics... he was always willing to work with any age group.

"I can't say enough good things about him."

Gary Patton, who actually started the first soccer team in the Livermore area and later founded the Ballistic club, knew Frenchy as well as anyone.

"He was a very dedicated man," said Patton, no living in Tulare.  "He had a very pointed focus to develop a player to the best of his ability and he was a stern taskmaster."

"He was a typical Frenchman," Patton laughed softly.  "He had love in his heart and a very big piece of steel in his backbone.  When he got angry, there was going to be only one answer to the problem... his."

Patton insisted that many people dismissed what he did because of his personality," he explained.  "That's wrong, I got mad at Frenchy plenty of times, but I looked past the personality and said, 'Aw. hell.'"

"He did his best for soccer and all I can say is God bless him."

Frenchy never really sought honors or recognition, although he bridled a number of times when he felt he was being overlooked as a coach for a high-competition team in Livermore.

But he was inducted into the California Soccer Association-North Adult Hall of Fame in 1980 and was honored in 1985 when the California Youth Soccer Association recognized his accomplishments and inducted him into their hall of fame.

Yet, the thing that no doubt meant the most to Frenchy was how far soccer had come in the valley.  From that humble beginning some 20 years ago with the Atomic Soccer Club, approximately 12,000 kids take to valley fields every weekend now to participate.  The quality of play here is one of the highest in the country and Frenchy would have been proud.

I remember asking Frenchy that summer day over nine years ago whether he considered soccer in the valley to be his baby.

He smiled and crooked smile of his and told me: "I won't say it's my baby, but it is my life."

James L. Kline - 1985 

Katherine Moore - 1986

In honor of a combined 35 years of youth soccer support and involvement, Gary Patton, the first Secretary of CYSA-North, and Katherine "Kitty" Moore, the "First Lady of Redwood Soccer," have been elected as the newest members of the CYSA Hall of Fame.

Moore was instrumental in the formation of the Redwood Junior Soccer League, serving as its first Secretary/Treasurer.  Since 1981, she has been League Registrar.  Her first soccer involvement came in 1968, with the Menlo-Atherton High School Soccer Program.  Kitty provided hot and cold refreshments at all games, in addition to purchasing, storing, repairing and inventorying uniforms and equipment .  If that wasn't enough, she provided first-aid supplies as well.

Mrs. Moore has been involved for many years at the senior soccer level, as Menlo Park representative for the Junior Grasshoppers Youth Team and with Under 23 college age teams in the area.  In recent years, Kitty has assisted in fund raising efforts for the Menlo-Atheron High School Program.

Gary Patton - 1986

In honor of a combined 35 years of youth soccer support and involvement, Gary Patton, the first Secretary of CYSA-North, and Katherine "Kitty" Moore, the "First Lady of Redwood Soccer," have been elected as the newest members of the CYSA Hall of Fame.

Now a resident of southern California, Patton's contributions to youth soccer over the years touch nearly every level and club, league, district, state and national.  In September, 1969, Patton joined Don Greer and others to bring about CYSA-North.  He helped draft the first constitution, patterned after British Columbia, Canada.  CYSA owes its current logo to his creativity, and as Secretary Patton also published the first CYSA newsletter.

Patton served as District III Commissioner, founding the first youth soccer program in Livermore, plus the Atomic Soccer Club.  At his urging, Al Caffodio sponsored another league which later came to bear Caffodio's name.  Moving to Pleasanton, Patton's pioneering talents led to the Ballistic Soccer Club, now one of the most famous youth clubs in the country.  He has for many years been an accomplished youth soccer referee.

Robert Nessler - 1987

Bob Nessler was the first secretary of the newly formed USYSA in 1974, and concurrently served as secretary for CYSA.  He single-handedly published all of CYSA's documentation and newsletters from his small Walnut Creek apartment.  A teacher, Bob helped establish soccer as a viable high school sport in the Lafayette area.  In addition to a succession of high school teams, he also coached his U18 club, the Royal Canadian Flyers, to the State cup championship in 1971.  Bob is also an accomplished youth soccer referee and as Commissioner, was instrumental in leading District IV to the forefront of CYSA.

The CYSA Hall of Fame was established to honor those individuals who have devoted years of service both to youth soccer and, especially, CYSA.  Since Don Greer, a founder of CYSA and its first chairman, was inducted in 1975, 17 more men and women have been recognized for their unique contributions. 

Our hearties congratulations and warmest thanks for years of donated service are extended to both Tom Anderson and Bob Nessler.

Judy Bricker - 1988

Years of dedication to soccer, and support of CYSA have earned a well-deserved place in the CYSA Hall of Fame for Pleasanton Coach Judy Bricker.

Judy's coaching career began in 1972 with an U-12 girls team.  She has coached for 15 years, producing State Cup, Regional and tournament champions all along the way.  In the last season, Judy, led her U19 Pleasanton Spoilers to the state Cup Championship where she secured her 7th State Cup Title.

According to Sharrell Michelotti, Past President of Pleasanton Girls Soccer Association, Judy "exemplifies a 'kids first' attitude which builds self confidence in each individual player, sets goals of 'team play' as the main objective, and insures that each player develop to her optimum playing ability."

Sharrell explains that this philosophy has paid off, not only in the list of accomplishments, but far more importantly, in the character building that has developed in the players over the years.

During Judy's coaching career, the team membership changed each season, but her philosophy remained consistent, promoting team play, while having a keen awareness of what was best for each individual.  At the end of the season, the results of her coaching effort was a team of strong players who all worked well together and who had the confidence to fill any game when needed.

Judy has served on the P.G.S.A Board of Directors for eleven years and was involved in founding the first competition team and the Al Caffodio League in District III.  During her tenure on the board, she has held the positions of vice president, treasurer, player agent, and equipment director.

Judy's involvement in coaching, with every team and club fundraiser, and as a board member, proves her dedication to the sport of soccer and to the concepts promoted by CYSA.

Lawrence Boldrini - 1989

Egil Oftedal - 1990

Leroy Hord - 1992

Jack Salvemini - 1993

John "Jack" Salvemini, long time soccer supporter, was inducted into the CYSA Hall of Fame.  "He (Salvemini) has never been one to seek accolades, but he's thrilled with his honory," said Salvemini's wife, Andrea.  "My wife kept it a secret for nine month," Jack Salvemini said.  "I didn't even know I was in the running for it.  I didn't realize until a week before the ceremony.  I was absolutely astounded.  It was a great honor, and I'm pretty damn proud of it.

"I'm in good company - Don Greer, Tom Anderson, Kitty Anderson and Mike Greer," Salvemini continued.  Soccer has always been an imortant part of Salvemini's life.  He began playing soccer while growing up in San Francisco, where he played for Balboa High School.  When he moved to Redwood City, he lent his talents to Sequoia High School at a time when very few people in that area even knew what soccer was.  While playing for Sequoia, Salvemini was invited for a successful tryout with the U.S. Junior National Team.  After high school, his love for teha game lay dormat for about 12 years, but when his son picked up soccer, Salvemini quickly discovered that it was impossible for him to stay on the sidelines as a spectator.  So Salvemini became coach for a U-14 boys team in the Peninsula League.  That began what was to be 12 years of very successful coaching in the Peninsula League, the Police Athletic League and, later, the Sunnyvale United Soccer Club.

As a coach, Slavemini never shied away from coaching the more difficult players that other coaches were sometimes reluctant to take on.  The hardest part of coachin in Sunnyvale in the 1970's was trying to find soccer plaeyrs.  Not be be deterred, Salvemini drew from the kids he coached in Little League and tought them the game of soccer.  These Little Leaguers became the U-12 Sunnyvale Spartans, the necleus of which would stay together until U-19.  The became well known throughout California, Nevada and Canada for their competitive style and their unwillingness to give up.

It was through his experience with the U-12 team that Salvemini first became interested in competitive soccer.  Unable to find the support he flet competitive teams needed, he and Rich Artru formed Sunnyvale United Soccer Club in 1976.  The club was strickly for the competitive, serious soccer player.  Critics complained fo exclusivity, but the publicity only raised interest in the club.  Salvemini envisioned started the club with six teams, butwhen the club began, there were a full 15 teams ready to play.  In addition to coaching, Salvemini was Co-Chairman of Sunnyvale United Soccer Club.

At the same time, Salvemini took over as coach of the Peterson High School junior varsity team.  The JV team went on to take first place in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League and brought Peterson its frist soccer title.  Salvemini then moved up to coach the varsity team and led them to two consecutive second place finishes.  Amidst all his coaching and administrative duties, Salvemini still managed another coaching job as summer session coach for the Saint Francis High School varsity team.

Up until this time, Salvemini had coached only boys teams.  To be hones, he wasn't particulary interested in girls soccer, despite the fact that there were several girls teams with Sunnyvale United Soccer Club.  In 1978, though, as a favor to a firend, he signed on as coach for the Girls U-14 Roadrunners.  Salvemini was quickly won over by the team's eagerness, unselfishness and enthusiasm.  He became a staunch supporter of girls soccer and endeavored to elevate their style of play from a timid, recreational form to one of skilled, aggressive teamwork.

Salvemini has also coached several all star and District II teams, and he has a long list of other soccer accomplishments.  He was chairman of the Peninsula Junior Soccer League, Sunnyvale PAL Youth Soccer referee coordinator, Sunnyvale United Soccer Club director of competition and the list goes on.

After a few "soccerless years," he recently took to watch his grandson play U-6 soccer on the El Toro Soccer Club.  As in the past, Salvemini is having a hard time staying on the sidelines and is seriously thinking about picking up his whistle again.  Frankly, we hope he does so another generation can benefit from his knowledge, skills and love for the game.

Erwin Panusch - 1995 

If the California Youth Soccer Association had a lifetime achievement award, Erwin Panusch would have to be on of the strongest candidates for it.  Seven years as a District III Commisisoner, four years as an assistant District Commissioner, four years of referee instructing and a slew of seasons as a coach is what Panusch has put into the association.  All those years of effort climaxed in late February when he was honored as a 1995 inductee into the CYSA' Hall of Fame.

"I felt very honored," Panusch said of the induction.  "That is a very select group of people in the Hall of Fame."  CYSA may never have had the opportunity to thank him if not for an incident that happen 43 years ago on another continent.  Panusch, then living near Salzburg, Austria, was visted by a friend from his schooldays, who was living in Canada. "We talked," panusch said.  "Then I got the travel bug."

So Panusch packed up and moved to Ottawa, where he took a job at an alcohol quality control plant.  In Ottawa he met a woman named Hella.  Soon after, the two united as a couple and have been married ever since.  In 1963, the Panusches made a stop in Fremont before settleing in Liveremore, where they still live.  Erwin and Hella have three children: Erwin Jr., Monica and Anita.

Nine years after moving to California, Panusch began a coaching career that was launched when Monica and Anita become youth soccer players.  He coached two sides to State Cup title matches.  Accomplishments like those will get a coach recognized, but what truly gave Panusch his peers' respect was the manner in which he led those teams.

"My coaching philosphy is that you should let the kids play the game and do the coaching in practice," Panusch said.  "The more yelling you do, the more (players) get unfocused."  As District Commissioner, Panusch enjoyed being a member of the board, which allowed him the opportunity to give input at the highest level.  While having influence at the top, he also took a hands-off approach that enabled District III to function properly.

Said Panusch: "You have good people that do a good job, so let them do their job.  Don' look over their shoulder." 

Having seen the game from many different angles (player, coach, parent, fan, referee, District Commissioner), Panusch has gained a  knowledge of the game that few possess.  At the same time, he maintains a high appreciation for soccer as well.  he has more salvo for a well-played 0-0 match than one flooded with scoring but marred with poor play.

There are many aspects to soccer he enjoys, as he still officiates and attends matches.  However, it is coaching that seems most dear to his heart.  "I enjoyed working with the kids," he said.  "Youth get to know them and become almost like friends with them.  I still meet girls I coached many years ago and they say hi, give me a hug, and that's nice."

These days Panusch is a retired research chemist, having worked at Kaiser Aluminum for 20 years.  In addition to being a refere, he spends many a nice day on the golf course.

And how's his game?

"Lousy," he responds.

Erwin Panusch Accomplishments:

• 1995 CYSA Hall of Fame inductee
• 1994 CYSA Special Commendation Award recipient
• Coached two State Cup Finalists
• Seven years as District III Commissioner (1988-1994)
• Four years as Assistant District III Commissioner
• Four years as referee instructor

Most Proud of: Coaching the Livermore Girls Soccer Club Shooting Stars

Coaching Philosophy: "You should do the coaching in practice.  The more yelling you do, the more (the players) get unfocused."

Johnny Moore - 1995

Johnny Moore, like his predecessors, loves the game.  He differs from those before him, though, in one way: he first made his mark as a player in CYSA and beyond, and a significant and lasting impact it has been.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Moore began playing very early, like most Scottish youth.  He played continuously through the school level, and when he arrived in the United States at age 17, he immediately joined a youth soccer team.

He arrived in the United States in 1965, and his team quickly rose to prominence.  That same year, East Bercovich/Hayward United Juniors won the CYSA state championship.  In 1966, his team made it to the semifinals.  Moore notes that at time, California soccer was still in its youth.

"The caliber, in all fairness, was a bit higher in Scotland at that time.  Soccer was still new here," Moore said.  "The major difference, quite honestly, was that we had great fields (in California) and great weather.  So you ended up playing much better after a while.

"There were quite a lot of foreign kids playing in 1965 and not so many Americans, but that changed drastically over the next five years.  It was in those years that (soccer) was really blooming and taking over."  In 1969, Moore signed as a professional with the Oakland Clippers, and although he no longer played at the youth level, he had a strong desire to see it continue to grow.  He was asked to give a soccer clinic in Pleasanton, and at its conclusion, Moore discovered that the plaeyrs hungered for more.  Moore, along with previous CYSA Hall of Fame inductee Larry Boldrini and a few others, founded the Ballistic United Junior Soccer Club.

"I thought it was a chance of getting more and more kids to play the game.  I love the game and wanted to share the knowledge I had," Moore said.  Moore rode the crest of the burgeoning U.S. soccer scene and landed a spot on the U.S. National Team in 1971.  He represented the United States as a member of the team 20 times, including World Cup qualifying rounds in 1974 and 1978.  "Playing with the national team was signly the greatest honor I've ever had in the game.  Every time I put on the shirt it was individually the highlight of my career," Moore said.

"I think it's what every youngster should aim for, that should be their dream.  In other professional leagues, I had the chance to play against Pelé and George Best and a whole bunch of other players, but it was nothing compared to putting (the U.S. National Team) shirt on."

Even while playing for the national team, Moore continued attending to th growth of youth soccer.  In 1971 he helped found Tri-Valley Soccer Club for men looking for a place to play highly competitive soccer.  "We wanted the older kids to have a place to play as they grew up.  It was important to try to develop a first class team that would play against the best semipros in the Bay Area to let kids see men play the game at no charge," Moore said.

The goal was to give youth players something to strive for.  The league was very successful, drawing large crowds.  To aid the development of a broad range of youth players, Tri-Valley SC invited coaches to attend clinics before and after games. 

Moore continued to play steadly though 1981, mostly for the San Jose Earthquakes, winning the National Indoor Championship in 1975.  In 1980, he became player/coach of the San Francisco Fog.  He played in two MISL all-star games.  Despite his commitments as a professional, Moore found ways to enhance the grough of youth soccer.  With help from his fellow Earthquake teammates, Moore organized a high school fund-raiser drive to benefit scholastic soccer.  Members of the Earthquakes played against faculty members at various high schools, and to keep things fair, half of each even was an indoor soccer match and the other half was a basketball game.  At a time when soccer coach's budget might be $500 per season, these events could produce a sudden windfall of up to $2,000 in a single night.  In four years, Moore managed to raise $250,000 for high school sports, most of which went directly to soccer programs.

Moore aslo developed the John Bradley Scholarship Foundation, named for an amateur soccer player from San Jose State who died of a heart attack after a soccer game.  The scholarship is a permanet endownment for soccer scholarships at San Jose State, creating more college opportunites for youth soccer players.

Moore has given thousands of clinics for coaches, referees, parents and youth players.  he believes it is his responsiblity to pass on his love and knowledge of the game.  "I understand the contribution made by people who didn't play (soccer), who learned it and consequently went on to coach it.  I have tremendous respect for people who did that; without them, our game would never have made it.  "But having said that, I also believe that if you've played it, especially at a high level, there are some things that you can get across better in a coaching environment, and there are some concepts you have that only come from going through the motions of actually playing.  I felt I had a responsibility to put it back in from that point of view," Moore said.

"A lot of my fellow pros have done exactly the same thing... because they believe they have a contribution to make, and because it's fun."  "I like to think of it this way, if you were a carpenter for 15 years, there are some things that you know that another person cannot get from a book.  I like to think of (giving clinics) along the same lines.  We had to make a living at winning and losing, so we learned some things.  Hopefully, we can pass them on to the plaeyrs and coaches, hopefully referees, and indeed parents, because they have a role to play," Moore said.  Despite the fact that many former professional plaeyrs do their part to pass on their experience, Moore acknowledes that more needs to be done.

"There are a whole bunch of American guys who made their living playing the game, and they're not getting involved.  That needs to change," Moore said.  Since Moore arrived int he United States at 17, he has seen U.S. soccer improve "by leaps and bounds." He points out that U.S. club teams freaquently travel to Europe and win tournaments.

"I think that the youth program in this country is second to none in world," Moore said.  Despite all of his successes at so many levels of soccer. Moore is honored to receive the recognition of CYSA and be inducted into the CYSA Hall of Fame.

"it's a treamendous feeling.  There are not a lot of people in the Hall, and I know almost all of them - one was my first coach,"  Moore said. "It's great to have people recognize my contributions.  It (being inducted into the Hall of Fame) tells me two things: One, I did something right, and two, the game has really grown."

Geneva McAlavey - 1996 

Geneva McAlavey devoted much of her adult life to the youth soccer program.  Like most of us she started out with her children as a parent, a team mom and a team manager.  From there she moved into administration, working as a club coordinator, a registrar and a referee assignor.

In 1977, Geneva moved to the district level as an administrator, assuming the duties of District II Secretary, a position she held for five years.  While serving in that capacity she also assumed administrative responsibilities with respect to the Ambronzino League and at the state level as State Cup Committee member.

In 1983 Geneva was elected as CYSA First Vice Chairman.  After serving for five years as First Vice Chairman, Geneva becasme the Association's Chairman of the Board, a member of the California Youth Soccer Hall of Fame.

In June 1997, Geneva died.  The California Youth Soccer Association and the sport of soccer lost a good friend.

Geneva McAlavey's accomplishments:

• Awarded as an Honoray Member of the U.S. National Team (1997)
• Director of Volunteer Services for the 1994 World Cup matches at Stanford Stadium (1994)
• CYSA Chairman of the Board (1988-1994)
• CYSA First Vice Chairman (1983-1988)
• District II State Cup Committee Member (1980-1982)
• District II Tournament Committee Member (1980-1982)
• South San Jose League Treasurer (1980-1982)
• North American Championship Co-Chairperson (1980-1982)
• District II AGM Coordinator (1980)
• Ambronzion League Chairperson (1979-1982)
• District II U-19 Representative to the San Jose Earthquakes (1978-1979)
• WSCVYSL Treasurer (1978-1980)
• District II Secretary (1977-1982)
• Strawberry Park Soccer Club Coordinator (1976-1980)

Colin McDonald - 1997 

Woodard "Woody" Niethammer - 1998

Woodard Neithammer served as the District III Commissioner for CYSA from 1995-1998 until he passed away last March (1998).  He was a referee for 20 years and was also a coach for the past 25 years.  He'd coached everything from U-8's, U12's and U14's in both house and Al Caffodio teams.

He was responsible for converting the Ballastic League from manual to computer as its registrar from 1974 to  1994.  He served as an Assistant District Commissioner from 1991-1995.

John Doyle - 1998 

John Doyle was raised in Fremont and began his soccer career as a youth player with the California Youth Soccer Association.  He played on the Fremont Celtic, which represented the Fremont City Soccer Club in the Al Caffodio League.  Teams, which Doyle played on, went on to win five CYSA State Cup titles.  Joh won honrs playing on Fremont's Washington High School team, added All-American honors at the University of San Francisco (1986-1988).

Doyle joined the United States National Team in 1987 and played in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Korea, where he scored a goal against the USSR Team.  He also participated in the 1990 World Cup in Italy.  As a member of the National Team, John made 58 appearances, scoring four goals.

Walter "Walt" Zinko - 1999

Walt Zinko started his involvement with youth soccer while living in Ventura, California during the late seventies, first as a coach, then as a referee.  After a career move in the early eighties, Walt brought his family to the Susanville area where he continued coaching and refereeing.  He soon found himself involved in the local soccer league as a coordinator, covering such jobs as coaching, fields and sponsorships.  By 1983, Walt had been elected League President and served in that position until he was elected District Commissioner in 1984.  Walt served as District Commissioner from 1984 until his election to the CYSA Board of Directors as Second Vice Chairman in 1994.  Over the past 18 years, while holding these positions, Walt also found time to coach at many levels within our program (he currently holds a "D" license), referee (he currently is a Grade 7) and has been a Referee Instructor for 11 years and an Assessor for 8 years.

During Walt's time on the sidelines, he has mentored many young coaches and referees.  Through his example, he has shown many people the benefits of coaching at practice and enjoying the game as it's being played.  Walt's "calm" demeanor, both as a coach and referee, shows he has mastered the important elements of the game - the parts we should be passing along to our children.

CYSA recognizes Walt Zinko's contribution to the development of soccer within CYSA by inducting him into our Hall of Fame.

Brandi Chastain - 1999 

Brandi chastain has made many contributions to the sport of soccer.  She is truly a role model for our young players.  both girls and boys look up to her and her accomplishments with total admiration and dare to dream of what they, too, may reach for in the future.

Brandi began playing in South San Jose as a member of what was then called the Blossom Valley Soccer League at six year of age.  She was an excellent player throughout her CYSA career.  She attended Mitty High School where her team placed first in the Central Coast Section and she was named their most Valuable Player.  She has since been inducted in the CCS Hall of Fame.  At CAL Berkeley, Brandi was NCAA College Freshman of the Year.  AFter transferring to Santa Clara, she received the NCAA Player of the Year, the adidas Golden boot, Athlete Scholar of the Year and the Herman Award.  She made the US National Team when she was 17 years old.

In 1991, Brandi went to China and helped the USA bring home the first ever Women's World Cup Championship.  She was also a member of the USA team that won the Olympic gold medal.  It seemed the entire world was watching when she made the final penalty kick in Pasadena and sealed the victory for the USA in this Year's Women's World Cup.  Brandi is only the third person in history to receive the Key to the City from San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales when she returned.

CYSA is proud of our own Brandi Chastain and honors her by inducting her into our Hall of Fame.

Harry and Georgianne Miller - 2000

Claudine Desimone - 2001

John Diest - 2001  

Charles "Chuck" Power - 2002

Chuck Power began his long and accomplished career in youth soccer over 20 years ago when he was recruited to become an assistan coach for his son's team.  Al though he acknowledged he knew nothing about soccer at that time, it was chuck's nature to do whatever he could to help, so he agreed to tackle the job.  When the head coach quit before the first practice, Chuck's volunteer coaching career was launched.  His involvement in coaching continued long after his son had sopped playing the game.  Chuck made a point of learning everything he could about the sport and he willingly shared that knowledge with all the players he coached.

Chuck's involvement led him to serve in numerous administrative positions with the North Fresno Youth Soccer League, including several terms as board president.  In 1987 he was a founding member of the Cyclone Soccer Club, one of the first competitive level soccer clubs in the area.  But it was coaching that first season that ignited the spark that led him to coach doezens of teams and hundreds of players.

Although he was never a wealthy man, Chuck made sure that a player was never denied the opportunity to play because of financial circumstances.  Many times that meant he would reach into his own wallet to pay the the player's fees.  He would travel miles to drive kids with no mode of transportation back and forth to practices.

His plaeyrs came to know Chuck Power as a family man, a coach and a friend.  The fact that many of his former players continued to stay in touch with him over the years and that many of them have chosen to become volunteer coaches, is directly attributable to the influence he had on these young people's lives.  His deep attachment and dedication to his players and to the game was recognized in 1993 when he was selected as the District VII Coach of the year.

Chuck's love of the game was apparent to everyone who came in contact with him.  When he was not coaching his own team, he could often be found sitting quietly in a chair on the sidelines of other teams' soccer games.  He was always willing to help, regardless of the task at hand.  No job was ever too big for Chuck to handle.

When Chuck passed away suddenly in April of 2001, the number of lives that he enriched through soccer was demonstrated by the number of soccer friends, former players, and fellow volunteers who came to pay their last respects to the gental man with a quiet smile.  he earned the respect of everyone who knew him in District VII as well as in CYSA.  Lasting memorials have been placed at the Lemoore Soccer Complex and the Hanford Soccer Complex.  The North Fresno Youth Soccer League has renamed their winter tournament "The Chuck Power Winter Classic" in his honor.

Power's legacy with CYSA will be forever remembered and celebrated as he is honored as the inductee 2002 into the California Youth Soccer Association Hall of Fame.

Peter Jebens - 2003

"I like to use the term 'benevolent dictator' when I describe him," say Doug Fields of his longtime friend Peter Jebens.  "Any volunteer organization can't be a true democracy; you have to have people that really take the reins and lead."

Jebens did more than take the reins of CYSA.  He built the saddle and turned the horse into the thoroughbred.  When the Healdsburg resident took over as Chairman of CYSA in 1975, the association had a membership of around 31,000.  By the time he moved over into the Executive Director position, more than 125,000 kids were on the CYSA books.  He broke new ground at the regional and national level as well.  Shortly after taking over as CYSA Chairman, he was named Commissioner of the Western States, now known as Region IV.  In 1977, Jebens was named National Chairman of the original USYSA Select Team Program, what would eventually morph into the Olympic Development Program.

"Peter has always been very creative in this thoughts," Fields says.  "He has a way of seeing a vision and a way of getting people to see that vision, too.  He had the personality and foresight to gather the people around him that made CYSA into the leading state youth soccer association in the country."

Under Jebens guiding hand, CYSA was the first state association to develop a detiled, formal constitution.  He had a hand in creating many programs that are used standard for state youth organizations today.  As Executive Director, he was the first to land big corporate sponsorships on the state level.

"The rest of the nation was following us; he was the guy," Fields says.  "He has been totally unselfish in his service and friendship."

"He'd give you the shirt off his back,: said Norrien Fields, who met Peter more than 25 years ago at a CYSA Board Meeting in San Francisco, CA.  "I was a League Registrar at the time and we were meeting about state registration.  I somehow go bumped out of my room at the hotel and we ended staying with Peter and Sandy the whole weekend."

Jebens got into youth soccer administration like many people... almost by accident.  His wife, Sandy, relates a particulary telling story of the early days of youth soccer in Santa Rosa, CA.  Recruited by Joe Belluzzo (know as the "Father of Santa Rosa Soccer") in the late 1960's to coach a team of young players, Jebens showed up at the field for the first practice.

"Where's my players?" he asked Belluzzo.  "Over there... go find 'em," Belluzzo responded, pointing to random kinds playing on the swing sets nearby.

From those humble beginnings, he would soon be named the first president of Santa Rosa Youth Soccer League, launching three decades of service.  A couple of years later, after writing a complaint letter to the fledgling CYSA Board about the local soccer representative, he received notification that he was the newly appointed Commissioner of District V.

Peter and Sandy have worked in nearly every conceivable position in youth soccer, from recreational coach to referee administrator to club chairman all the way up to various positions at the national level.  For their tireless efforts for the last 30 years, Regional IV will induct both of them into its Hall of fame in 2004.

"He's a very visionary person," Sandy says of her husband of nearly 30 years.  "He puts all of his eforts into whatever goal he has and he reaches them.  He's very sweet but also very strong."  Soccer actually brought Peter and Sandy together; he coached two of her kids from her previous marriage.

Ironically, soccer was not even Jeben's main sport growing up in Germany.  He used it more for conditioning for his real love, competitive canoeing.  He narrowly missed out on representing his country at the Olympics when a timer's error cost him and his partner at the Olympic trials.

Jebens' endless contributions to youth soccer are being brought into focus even more now.  A little over a year ago, he was diagnosed with cancer in his lungs.  But in typical Jebens fashion, he has defied the worst-case scenario and continues to battle his illness with the same boundless energy that he brought to the soccer pitch.

Tisha Venturini-Hoch - 2003

Tisha Venturini-Hoch is a true pioneer for women's soccer.  The explosion in popularity of the sport amoung young girls in the last decade can largely be attributed to Venturini and her fellow U.S.National Team legends.  She started building her legend at Modesto Youth Soccer Association.

"She was always a very cooperative player to the referee during a game," said District VIII Commissioner Bob Asklof, who officiated many of her games during her youth career.  "Even though she played hard, she never cheap shotted another player in any games I officiated that she participated in and all of the referees in my area that were officiating during her time as a youth player will attest to that.  She never whined about a foul call or lack of a call; she would just continue to play."

Her standout play in high school led to her heading east to North Carolina for college.  She led Grace Davis High School in Modesto, CA. to a four-year conference record of 54-0-2, scoring 107 goals and adding 37 assist.  During her four All-American years at UNC, the school won four consecutive national championships.  During the 1994 NCAA season, she won college soccer's two top awards, the Missouri Athletic Club College Player of the Year and the hermann Trophy.

After breaking her wrist in the inaugural WUSA game, Venturini-Hoch had a strong comback.  She scored the winning goal in the first franchhise win for the CyberRays and her most important goal of the inaugural season came in the championship game against the Atlanta Beat.  Her goal tied the game, sending it into overtime where the CyberRays emerged victorious after penalty kicks.  She made her penalty kick too.

The World Cup has also been Venturini-Hoch's place to shine; she tied with Kristine Lilly and Tiffeny Milbrett as a leading scorer in the 1995 World Cup with three goals.  She had two spectacular goals on a pair of headers in World Cup 1999.  She was also a member of the 1996 Olympic Team that won the Gold Medal in Atlanta.  One of only three women to win an NCAA Championship, a World Cup and a WUSA Championship, Venturini-Hoch wrapped up her playing career this past summer with the San Jose CyberRays.  Even before the WUSA suspended operations, she had announced this would be her last season.

Venturini-Hoch was never a flashy player but she made those around her excel.  "Her style of play and willingness to pass to players that would run and work during a games always made the players around her better players," Asklof said.  "Her level of fitness and work rate during games also set a very high standard for the other members of the teams she played on."

Everyone knows about her prowess on the pitch but many forget about how dynamic she was on the diamond.  Venturini-Hoch was an outstanding softball player in her youth but chose soccer to play even though she probably would have had more college scholarship opportunities if she played softball.

Andrea Salvemini - 2004

Andrea Salvemini's "career" in soccer began 34 years ago when in 1971, she, like many other soccer parents, she was recruited because there were too many players and not enough coaches.  She delved into that role with the same enthusiasm she has demonstrated in all of her soccer jobs.  From administrator, to coach, to board member, to referee, Andrea has showed her ability to adapt, her willingness to lend a hand, and her dedication to making youth soccer programs available to all kids. 

In 1976 Andrea was a founding member of the Sunnyvale United Soccer Club.  For 10 years, she and her husband Jack worked to build a program that integrated a full service youth soccer program for all ages and all levels of play.  When they moved to Morgan Hill, Andrea got involved with the Orchard Valley Youth Soccer League and has remained a board member serving in many different capacities since 1986.  She has been involved in all program from Olympic Development Program (ODP), for the talented player, to TOPSoccer, for the players with special needs.  there is never a job too big or too small.  If it needs to be done, Andrea will make it happen.

Although her willingness to take on any task has never been about the recognition, she is most deserving.  Andrea and Jack together helped change the face of youth soccer in the South Bay Area and in CYSA.  Side by side, they have given countless hours of time and touched the lives of innumerable young people. Andrea now deservedly joins her husband Jack in the CYSA Hall of Fame.

Troy Dayak - 2004

Troy Dayak begane his extraordinary soccer career in a very typical way.  He began palying soccer in Dublin, CA as a 6 year old while being coached by his dad.  It was clear early on that he had exceptional talent and an exceptional love for the game.  The list of his accomplishments as a player is impressive.  His path to the National team begam with the CYSA Olmpic Development Program (ODP) and took his through the State, Regional and National youth teams.

His excellence continued during his days at Livermore High School and the University of San Francisco.  Truly a local icon, Troy has played for teh San Francisco Bay Blackhawks, San Jose Grizzlies, San Francisco Bay Seals and San Jose Clash (San Jose Earthquakes).  Troy defied the odds twice when he was told his playing days were over following what seemed to be career-ending injuires in 1998 and 1999.  But through his perseverance, hours of intense therapy, and his sheer love of the game, Troy made the nearly impossible happen.  He returned to play professional soccer after a spinal fusion and again after PCL and MCL reconstruciton.  Not only did he return, his standard of play was above and beyond what anyone (except for those who knew Troy) believed was possbile.

He went on to represent the West in the MSL All Star game, played the entire 90 minutes.  The awards have been many, the accomplishments too many too list, and his impact on the game is impressive, but his contributions to youth soccer go beyond his career as a player. 

Troy continues to provide hours of service to the youth league in Tracy, serving as a board member, coaching, mentoring other coaches, and offering assistance to anyone who asks.  His powerful positive approach serves as an inspiration to all of those who meet him and his continued dedication to the game of soccer earns him a placye in the CYSA Hall of Fame.

Tiffany Roberts-Sahaydak - 2006

A true pioneer for women's soccer, Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak is one of the only three players (Mia Hamm and Carla Overbeck are the others) to win a FIFA World Cup, Olympic Gold Medal, NCAA Championship and WUSA Championship.

Growing up in San Ramon, CA, Tiffany developed her skills with Alcosta Lightning and Tri-Valley, winning a regional championship with the Lightning U-15's.  At Carondelet High School, she was a two-time National Girls High School Player of the Year, earning the attention of the top college program in the country, the University of North Carolina.

At Chapel Hill, she helped the Tar Heels to the national title in 1996 and 1997.  The midfielder was named All-ACC twice and finished her stellar career with 24 goals and 44 assists.

Before college, Tiffany began her U.S. National Team career at the age of 16 in 1994.  She started for the U.S. team that finished third at the 1995 Women's World Cup in Sweden and was the valuable member of the goal-medal winning team at the 1996 Olympics.  She was then part of the historic 1999 U.S. team that won the World Cup.  She finished her National Team career in 2003 with the 17th most caps (110) in U.S. history.

Following the 1999 World Cup, she became a professional with the creation of WUSA.  She was an All-Star with the Carolina Courage and helped the team to the 2003 WUSA title.

Along the way, Roberts honed her coaching skills.  She has coached at numberous camps and clinics and led a team of U12 girls at Triangle FC in Raleigh, N.C.  Living in Walnut Creek, she is now a San Ramon Soccer Club staff coach.

Linda SoRelle - 2007

Linda SoRelle has served CYSA for more than 30 years, owning the supreme distinction of being the District Commissioner with the longest record of service.

In the 1970's, while stirring a pot of tomato sauce for a spaghetti dinner on league awards night at Thomas Elementary School, Linda hardly could have forseen the influence she would have on the lives of youth soccer players in our region.  Then elected league President, Linda went on to serve as the league representative on the Fresno Junior Soccer League Board of Directors, as well as registrar and secretary, overseeing a league with over 9,000 active players.

While involved with Fresno Junior Soccer League, Linda also served on the league's tournament committee, ultimately becoming the tournament director for five tournaments.  Three of Linda's tournaments remain active today, including the Golden State Invitational (now the Gerald Badella Memorial Tournament), at one time among the most prestigious tournaments in the state.

Linda was later selected by District Commissioner Bob Crozier to serve several positions at the district level, including Secretary, Treasurer and in 1986, District VII Commissioner, a position she held for the next 20 years.

Tom Metry - 2008

 Tom started coaching soccer in 1967 at Ahwahnee Jr. High, Fresno, California. He was first introduced to the Fresno Junior Soccer League and California Youth Soccer Association (CYSA) by Harold Young and he became involved when Fresno started the U-14 boys program in 1970. In 1975, he moved into coaching girl's soccer, U-14 through U-19 age groups.  From 1978 through 2000, Tom spent the majority of his coaching time at the high school level at Hoover High School, Fresno, CA.  Additionally during this time, he helped start and coach the Fresno State Women's Soccer Club.

After Tom retired from high school coaching in 2001 he became involved in the Ayer Soccer Club, first as a coach for his grandson's team, then as Ayer Club President and Roosevelt Youth Soccer League (RYSL) board member.  In 2005 he helped found and run the Randy D. Roby Soccer Tournament for class 4 teams.  In 2007 he became President of the RYSL and joined the District VII Board.  He is still on the District VII Board and helped with All Stars and the new Spring League.

Tom Metry's Achievements:

Fresno Junior Soccer League (FJSL)

Coaches over 15 years, 4 city championships

Ahwahnee Jr. High coordinator for 10 years

On the FJSL Board of Directors for 8 years

FJSL Board President for 2 years.

CYSA

District VII Commissioner 1972-1974

Helped start Clovis Junior Soccer League & first president Refereed many games including state championships

Lead coaching clinics for Fresno, Reedley, and Hanford All star coach

U.S.S.F.A.

National Coach with a "B" license

First class with Detmar Cramer in 1971, Last class in 1989 Helped put on the McGuire Cup, finals in Clovis, CA

Hoover High School

Varsity girls coach for 22 years

Fifteen league championships

Six years as top team in the section

Four consecutive years undefeated

Over all record 364 wins, 110 losses, 54 ties

1996 California Coaches Association Girls Soccer Coach of the Year 1996 N.S.C.A.A. California Girls Coach of the Year

Two players selected as N.S.C.A.A. All-Americans

12+ girl players went on to become high school/college coaches.

Other Soccer Related Activities

Initiated Fresno States Women Program and coached it for 3 years Participated in Southern California Collegiate Soccer Conference

(prior to that members such as D.S.C., Cal Poly, D.C.L.A., San Diego, Fresno and other colleges were members ofN.C.A.A.)

Chair Person for 2 years for S.C.C.S.C.

Coached and helped with indoor soccer programs

Gladys Olsen - 2009

Gladys became involved with youth soccer when her youngest son, Roland, played for Roeding Elementary School in Fresno.  her involvement soon escalated to her election as the Fresno Area Representative for the Fresno Junior Soccer League Board.  She also served on many committees during that time.  In 1982, the Fresno Junior Soccer League was split into 6 leagues and Gladys became involved in the newly formed Fresno Metro Youth Soccer League.  There she as served as President, Tournament Director, P&A Chair, and Registrar - a position that she still holds today.  Gladys was also instrumental in forming the Fresno Monarch Soccer Club, which is their competitive and upper age program.  As President of the Fresno Metro YSL, Gladys became involved with the District VII Board of Directors.  There she has served as Assistant Commissioner, Secretary, Treasurer, Chairman of P&A Committee, and chairman of the District Playing League.

Not one to say "no," she has served as the CYSA State level as Secretary, First Vice Chairman, and has participated in many committees.  She has also served on the Region IV Protest & Appeals Committee.  Gladys even had a short lived career as a player (adult).  The League was called Kick and Chase, and her career came to a sudden end when she broke her leg.

Along with her son Roland, she has two other children, Connie and David, and two grandchildren.

She continues to serve as Fresno Metro Registrar and as the Secretary/Treasurer of District VII.

When asked why she does it, her answer is simple: "I just want the kids to play."

CYSA congratulates Gladys on a honor that is so well deserved!