HISTORY
Section 3, Area T, Region 220
The Tarrytown AYSO soccer Region was formed in 1979 as "Pilot" Region #220. During the early years of
the region there was very little growth, as the idea of small children playing organized soccer was new to
the Football (Wolfpack) and Baseball (Little League) establishments and the villages' Recreation
Departments.
However, the founders were obviously determined to prevail, bolstered by the example of the Hispanic population in the villages, who played "pick-up" games at every opportunity on the fields around the villages, and an adult league loosely based on national origins. The region that began with that determination has now grown from just under 100 to over 750 children playing on 67 teams in 2004, and is now the largest youth sports organization in the villages. As a result of the hard work by the volunteer coaches and referees, and the cooperation of the parents, the region was well represented at the first A.Y.S.O. National Games held east of the Mississippi at West Point in the summer of 2001. The region also instituted a VIP program for special needs players in 2001. Currently there are 14 players enrolled.
The first appointed Commissioner, Clara Morales, served from March of 1979 until August of the same year. At that time, Royeric Pack took over from Clara, who unfortunately moved out of the area. Royeric was replaced by Rick Miller in 1981, who was named Area Director in the spring of 1983. The administration of the region was then turned over to Lindon Alexander. It was during his term of office that the region became "Chartered" in 1983. Tony Rizzi was appointed Commissioner when Lindon stepped down in 1988. Tony was succeeded by Manny Busto in April of 1991 and served until Sal Praino was appointed in February of 1992. Robert Schrader served as Commissioner from the fall of 1993 to the fall of 1996 and was replaced by Anthony Scarpati at that time. William (Bill) Hummell replaced Anthony in May 1998 and served until May 2001 when he became the Area Director of Area 3T (Lower Hudson Valley, or Greater Westchester). Jordan Becker, succeeded Bill Hummell as Regional Commissioner from May 1, 2001, till December 6, 2003, when he succeeded William Hummell as Area Director for Area 3T and William became Section Director for Section 3. Peter van der Heijden took over as Commissioner.
In 2004, the region celebrated its silver anniversary.
May 28, 2006 Bill Hummell was elected to the National Board of Directors. Lindon Alexander retired from our region June 19 2006, after 27 years. Left to right, 7 generations past/current/future RC's: John Maltby, Jordan Becker, Anthony Scarpati, Peter van der Heijden, Lindon Alexander, Bill Hummell, Hossein Fassa. Hossein Fassa took over as Commissioner from Peter van der Heijden in July 2006, when Peter was elected as Section 3 Director.
In 2002 we instituted the Lindon Alexander Award, awarded for exceptional service to our region. That year it went to Lindon himself, who started this region in 1979. Following recipients during the annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner at Abigail Kirsch's Tappan Hill, were Bill Hummell 2003; Sandy and Carter Sackman 2004; Katharine Swibold and Jordan Becker 2005; Debra Horvath 2006; Peter van der Heijden 2007; Bruce Campbell 2008.
During the term of each commissioner, the growth of the region was aided by the strong showing of the United States soccer team in the 2002 World Cup tournaments, and the hard work of each management team, which was comprised of dedicated individuals. Without the support of village officials, through the Recreation Department of each village, and the cooperation of the Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow and Pocantico School Systems, the success of the region would not have been possible.
|
