The annual Long Island Soccer Player Hall of Fame (LISPHOF) dinner was held on Saturday, February 26, as another tremendous class was inducted. Also during the ceremony, former Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) president Peter C. Collins was honored with the Paul LeSueur Ambassador of the Game Award.
Collins is widely regarded as the father of Long Island soccer. He served as LIJSL president for 27 years and was still volunteering around the game until his passing in 2018
Current LIJSL president Andrew Seabury was in attendance to help honor Collins’ legacy.
Seabury said of the event:
“On behalf of myself, my fellow board members, and the League, we are honored to be here tonight supporting this great event, and supporting the honoring of Peter Collins, his wife Annie, and his family.
“Sometimes in life a giant emerges in a community, and we in the soccer community were lucky enough to be graced and touched by one such giant, who had a vision to create an opportunity for all to play the game – whatever the level, boys and girls . This giant was Peter Collins, who was president of our league for 27 years, and whom laid the foundation for what LIJSL is today.
“So, I stand here tonight as the custodian of his vision, and while I can never hope to fill those big shoes, we at LIJSL will continue to honor his legacy and promote soccer for all.”