The Plainview-based Long Island Junior Soccer League recently honored 22 student-athletes at their annual LIJSL Scholarship Awards Brunch at the Hilton Huntington Hotel. These honorees have established themselves as top players on the field, excelled in the classroom and given of themselves through service to their communities.
“We are privileged to present these 22 awards to some of the finest student-athletes in the LIJSL,” said scholarship committee chairperson Lynn Scarpati. “One of the things I’ve learned in my many years on the committee is that there are so many outstanding young people participating in our league. Our goal now is to continue to generate more funds for the program so we can honor even more of these great kids.”
The LIJSL Scholarship program began in the early 1980’s as the brainchild of Rocco Amoroso and Peter Collins. The program was originally created to provide need-based assistance for LIJSL soccer players who were heading off to college. But over time, the awards have evolved to include recognition for standards of excellence in academics and community service. Essays and letters of recommendation are critical parts of the criteria for being selected, and players must have played at least five seasons with an LIJSL club while in high school.
Scholarship money is provided by benefactors who are remembering loved ones no longer with us. Fourteen of the LIJSL scholarships memorialize nine individuals for the way they lived — for their passion for life and soccer. Other scholarships are given by LIJSL sponsors, while still others are awarded by the LIJSL directly.
“We are so proud of the corporate and foundation support that enables the Long Island Junior Soccer League to expand these awards,” Scarpati said. “And we are very thankful to all the families that so graciously continue to donate to the program in memory of their loved ones. I’d also like to recognize the scholarship committee and league volunteers who dedicate so much of their time. They believe in our youth and realize the potential each of them has to succeed beyond the soccer field.”
