By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
Oceanside United of the Long Island Junior Soccer League and Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association already organized the oldest youth indoor soccer tournament in the United States. The 45th Annual Rudy Lamonica Indoor Tournament will be played by travel teams and intramural squads this February and March at Coleman Country Day Camp. The applicable age groups go from Under-7 to Under-13. The tournament’s namesake, Rudy Lamonica, scored more than half of Oceanside High School’s goals during 1968 and 1969 in leading the Sailors to consecutive Long Island championships. He also starred in the indoor tournament that now bears his name during the winters of ’68 and ’69. One year later, bone cancer was discovered and doctors amputated Rudy’s right leg, hoping to stop the spread of the disease. Through all the turmoil, Rudy kept his spirits high. He passed away at the age of 17 during the closing days of the 1970 fall season after volunteering as Oceanside High School’s assistant coach. To this day, his mother Bessie still hands out trophies at the tournament every year, in addition to leading the fundraising efforts for the scholarship program that bears her son's name. Oceanside United’s Rudy Lamonica Scholarship program has awarded more than $80,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors that have participated in the Oceanside United program.
Not content to sit on its laurels of organizing this classic tournament, Oceanside United kicks off indoor play this winter with the Coleman Cup Kickoff being played over Thanksgiving weekend. Each team plays one day either on Saturday, November 26 or Sunday, November 27 and is guaranteed at least three 28-minute games with the top two teams in each age group meeting in the final for the Coleman Cup. The Under-9 and Under-10 squads, both boys and girls, play on turf at the Coleman Grand Playhouse, 40 yards x 30 yards. The Under-11 to Under-13 squads, both boys and girls, play at the Coleman Bubble, 50 yards x 33 yards.
But there’s more. Oceanside United also hosts a Continuous Play Tournament with a 10-game weekend season from December 3 to March 11. The boys play on Saturdays and the girls play on Sundays. The Under-7 to Under-9 age groups play at the Coleman Grand Playhouse while the Under-10 to Under-12 age groups have fun on the larger surface at the Coleman Bubble.
To become a part of the exciting winter planned by Oceanside United, visit the club’s website at http://www.ousc.com/.
