Eastern New York Youth Soccer President Richie Christiano recently announced his retirement from the position at the ENYYSA General Meeting on September 26. He was a longtime servant to the organization, including serving as the president for 16 years. The LIJSL recognizes and thanks him for all the effort during his tenure, which helped shape the modern landscape of the game in the region.
At the ENYYSA General Meeting, he was also given Life Membership, which is soccer’s equivalent of a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Over the course of his career in soccer, Christiano has had deep ties to LIJSL. He served as the League’s Vice President for over a decade and was inducted into the LIJSL Hall of Fame in 2010. He also got his start coaching in the League with the New Hyde Park Wildcats and served as a board member with the club.
Christiano has dedicated over 50 years to growing the game at the youth level.
“Richie embodies everything that is good in the game of soccer – a lifelong volunteer who shepherded the game both locally at Long Island level and at the State level – his influence can be felt throughout youth soccer in Eastern New York and is a testament to all of his hard work,” LIJSL President Andrew Seabury said. “All of us at LIJSL salute his 50 years of service and wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Replacing Christiano at the helm of ENYYSA is Jimmy Svendsen, who served in two separate stints as Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League President. The League welcomes and is looking forward to working with him to create initiatives that benefit the LIJSL membership.