By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Louis Pepe has been selected as their Volunteer of the Year. Lou began playing soccer at the age of five and went on to play college soccer as well.
Lou began his affiliation with the East Islip Soccer Club of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) in 2004 when he started coaching his oldest son, Frank. He quickly immersed himself in the club, becoming a board member and is currently First Vice President.
Lou is known throughout East Islip for his “Just for Kicks” soccer program, founded by him in 2008. East Islip is one of 20 LIJSL clubs to provide a TOPSoccer Special Children’s Program. Currently, 55 Autistic kids ages 12 to 18 play for East Islip on a weekly basis during the spring and fall seasons. Two years ago, Lou started an affiliation with Stony Brook University, allowing students majoring in teaching children with special needs the opportunity to work with soccer instructors to improve the experience for the East Islip Special Children. Lou is also very active in EJ Autism Foundation fundraisers.
Bea Huste-Petersen, who has two children with Autism that play for East Islip, commented, “Lou is the founder, the glue, the beginning, the middle and end! He greets every child individually as he or she arrives, provides an individual instructor and parents get to sit and watch.”
Lou is now being considered for Region 1 honors as well.