Team Avalanche Finds New Home, New Name
As the 2011 spring season came to an end for the Avalanche, both coaches faced a startling reality. The team that had played together for many seasons might not be able to play together again. Youth sports on Long Island have become increasingly competitive. As players advance in skill, they are moved up into other divisions and teams.
This diverse group of athletes was facing the possibility of some players moving up and others staying. Unfortunately, there were not enough players in total to field two teams. The Avalanche was near extinction. Even after several meetings, numerous tryouts, and even an emergency board meeting with the OBEN Soccer Club, a resolution to keep the coaches and team together could not be found.
In the twelfth hour, Alex Gallego and Larry Van Patten reached out to the Locust Valley Soccer Club and Travel coordinator Frank Berritto. Without hesitation, he extended an invitation to his club, followed by amazing support. His only comment to the coaches was, “What can we do to help your transition to our family?”
It is bittersweet solution to coaches Gallego and Van Patten, because the OBEN Soccer Club has been home to the Avalanche for years. President Sharon Tiberia, incoming President Mark Butler, and the entire board, have been gracious and amazingly respectful to the team. They have tried to do everything possible to keep the coaches and team together. At the same time, the team looks forward to a very competitive season with Locust Valley, and a perfect new name, “The Falcons United.”
To truly understand the commitment and passion that Gallego and Van Patten have, all one would have to do is walk onto the field where they coached. You would see the immense coaching intensity and skill that Van Patten has, matched by the highly motivational force of Gallego. Their coaching philosophy is simply defined in building the character of young men and the discipline to strive to be the best while learning to love the game of soccer.
Both coaches admit that none of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication of their players and the amazing support of the parents. Coach Gallego has spent over five years volunteering for the OBEN Soccer Club. There was once a year when he actually coached three teams at the same time. He has also spent countless hours working on the website banner ad sales.
Alex Gallego, along with the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce and the community, including Rob Brusca, Bob Santos, and other non-profit organizations, as well as Supervisor John Venditto and the Town of Oyster Bay have also created the first event that funded OBENYA. The Town of Oyster Bay picked up the ball and did a marvelous job on the restoration of Marino Park, and the present work being done at Theodore Roosevelt Park.
Coaches Gallego, Van Patten, and the entire Avalanche family will be missed. But they are all confident that they will continue their winning tradition as one united team.
