Eastern New York’s Livio D’Arpino Scholarship awarded to Michael Sguera

(Via ENYYSA) – The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) has announced that Oceanside’s Michael Sguera is receiving a Livio D’Arpino Scholarship. D’Arpino was an Eastern New York Vice President who was involved in seemingly every level of local soccer before his untimely passing in 2002.

In his essay, Michael wrote that “I did not have the fortune of knowing Mr. D’Arpino but he was my dad’s coach when he played for Frosinone and my dad said he was a great mentor.”

Michael used his leadership ability to serve as captain of both the Oceanside Pirates of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) and of Oceanside High School’s varsity team. He has been playing soccer since age four and also has been a referee since the age of 13.

At Oceanside High School, he’s a member of the National Honor Society and International Language Honor Society plus volunteers his time coaching in TOPSoccer Special Children’s Program of his local club, Oceanside United. Additionally, he works after school and on weekends at Patosa Ravioli.

“Michael posses certain qualities which make him an absolute pleasure to coach. He has shown great improvement due to his tremendous work ethic and passion for the game and puts himself through a demanding off-season workout program,” commented Oceanside High School boys varsity coach Joseph Pumo. “Michael is always the first to show up for practice and the last to leave due to him getting in extra practice time. He works extremely well with his peers and puts the needs of the team before his own. This selfless attitude makes Michael a favorite of his teammates.”

ENYYSA wishes Michael the best as he studies and plays soccer at SUNY New Paltz.