In the Beginning
Prior to the spring of 1982, youth soccer in western New York state was combined with the amateurs as part of the Northwest NY Soccer Association. As the youth component continued to grow, a group of individuals began discussions about the formation of a separate recognized youth soccer association that would bring together various groups and leagues throughout western New York. Members of this group were Tony Simpkin, Bernd Koehler of Buffalo, Robert Todd Downey of Binghamton, Thomas Block, Joseph D’Amato of Syracuse, and Jack Hayward, Linda Schepler, Eileen Gailpeau of Rochester.
Incorporation
By the spring of 1982, this group put together the original set of by-laws and proceeded with the incorporation process. The consent to take action in lieu of the organization meeting of New York State West Youth Soccer Association Inc. reads as follows:
“The undersigned being the incorporator(s) of the corporation hereby consent(s) to the action taken, as hereafter stated, in lieu of the organization meeting:
A copy of the certificate of incorporation together with the receipt issued by the Department of State showing the date and payment of the filing fee for the original certificate of incorporation was appended to this statement.
By-Laws regulating the conduct and the affairs of the corporation, as prepared by John J. Foster, ESQ. counsel for the corporation were adopted and ordered appended thereto.
The following individuals were appointed directors of the corporation.
- Bernd Koehler
- Joseph D’Amato
- Linda Schepler
- Jack Hayward
- Robert Todd Downey
- Eileen Galipeau
- Thomas Block
The principal office of the corporation was fixed at Rochester, New York.
Dated April 4, 1982″
First Meeting
The combined first meeting of the membership and the directors of the corporation was held at the Airport Marriott Hotel, Rochester, NY on April 25, 1982 at 12:00 Noon.
After determining that all present were members of the corporation and a quorum was represented, the meeting proceeded.
The following directors were present: Robert Todd Downey, Tony Simpkin, Bernd Koehler, Eileen Galipeau, Jack Hayward, Linda Schepler, Thomas Block and Joseph D’Amato being all the directors of the corporation and a quorum, Jack Hayward was elected temporary chairman, and Eileen Galipeau was elected temporary secretary.
The chairman reported that the incorporator(s) took the following action:
- Adopted by-laws regulating the conduct and affairs of the corporation
- Appointed directors of the corporation
- Fixed the principal office of the corporation at Rochester
The chairman circulated a copy of the Consent to Action Taken In Lieu of Organization Meeting executed by the incorporator(s) and upon motion duly made, seconded and carried, it was:
RESOLVED, that the actions taken by the incorporator(s) as set forth in the Consent to Take Action In Lieu of Organization Meeting is hereby approved, ratified and in all respects confirmed.
The chairman stated that the election of officers of the corporation was now in order. The following persons were nominated: President – Jack Hayward; Vice-President – Thomas Block; Secretary – Eileen Galipeau; Treasurer – Linda Schepler.
A vote of directors was taken and the nominees were elected officers of the corporation.
The president and secretary thereupon assumed their respective offices and stead of the temporary chairman and temporary secretary.
Upon motion duly made, seconded and carried, it was:
RESOLVED, that the seal now presented at this meeting, an impression of which is directed to be made in the margin of the minute book, be and the same hereby is adopted as the seal of the corporation and further
RESOLVED, that the president and treasurer be and they hereby are authorized to issue certificate for members in the form as submitted to the meeting and appended to the minutes of the meeting and further
RESOLVED, that the corporate record book and membership book now presented at this meeting be and same hereby is adopted as the corporate record book and membership roll book of the corporation.
Upon motion duly made, seconded and carried, it was:
RESOLVED that the treasurer by and hereby is authorized to open a bank account in behalf of the corporation with a bank located in Hilton, NY and a resolution for that purpose on the printed form of said bank was adopted and was ordered appended to the minutes of this meeting.
Upon motion duly made, seconded and carried, it was:
RESOLVED, that the signing of these minutes by the directors and members shall constitute full ratification and waiver of notice of the meeting by the signatories.
There being no further business before the meeting, on motion duly made, seconded and carried, it was adjourned.
Dated April 25, 1982
The First 25 Years
Originally there were four districts: Binghamton, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse. Southern Tier district was added in 1985 and Twin Tier district was added in 1990 as youth soccer continued to grow throughout the state. In 2001, New York State West Youth Soccer had 84,000 registered players.
In 1995, NYSW opened its first full-time state office in Corning, NY and hired Dan Watson as the Operations Manager. While this was closed during the COVID pandemic, the location served us well for many years.
In 1996, this website was started. The original website was developed by Micah Mellander.
In 1998, the need for better coaching education and a more organized effort for player development led to the search for a full-time State Director of Coaching. George Herrick of Vestal served in that role on an interim basis while the search for someone to fill the position full time was undertaken. In the fall of 1999, NYSWYSA hired Glen Buckley as the full-time State Director of Coaching.
As the business continued to grow, the Board of Directors decided the day-to-day operations of the association would be best served by hiring an Executive Director. A search of candidates began in the late summer/fall of 2003. In November 2003, Mr. Omer Doron was hired as the first Executive Director of the association. Mr. Doron left the position in 2005, and the Board of Directors chose not to backfill the position.
The 2003-2004 season saw the introduction of Demophere’s RosterPro system to the membership under the direction of state registrar, Tim Mellander. This web-based registration and rostering application brought the state membership database together into one collective location for the first time and simplified and improved the ability of the member clubs to transfer their membership data to the state association in real time.
The 2007 season brought New York State West to its 25th anniversary year. The commitment to bring excellence and service to its membership was stronger than ever. The state continued to maintain its member base of 80,000 players and further help was needed to make NYSW/US Youth Soccer programs run better throughout the state. To help with program delivery, the board authorized the Director of Coaching to hire 6 assistant directors of coaching, one for each of NYSW’s districts. The program enhanced the availability of the State Association in each of the districts. The intent was to help the member clubs further benefit from the services provided by NY West, and to provide new programming to members. These assistants worked first hand with the clubs in each district to help deliver coaching courses, player development programs, TOPSoccer development, recreational organization and district league support.
The Next Decade
As the 2008-2009 season began, we were saddened when our long-time Operations Manager Dan Watson passed away unexpectedly. Dan served the state association in that role for 14 years and his contribution to the association was invaluable. Instead of hiring a replacement Operations Manager, the Board of Directors felt it was more prudent to have the organization under the direction of an Executive Director. In February 2009, Amy Gush was hired for that position. In 2009, our long time Director of Coaching, Glen Buckley left the organization. The search for a new director brought us Dean Foti who brought with him 20 years’ experience as a Division 1 College coach.
In 2010, Tim Mellander was hired as an associate director to help with the day-to-day soccer operations. His 20 years of experience as a soccer administrator at the state, regional and national levels made him an excellent addition to the staff. In the Spring of 2010, the state association purchased a building and relocated the office from downtown Corning to a location just outside of the city.
The 2010-2011 season brought another change, as the state association decided to partner with the Thruway League and administer the league as the first state-run premier league in New York State West.
September 2012 marked New York State West’s 30th year of providing soccer opportunities for the youth of Western New York.
35th Anniversary
2017 brought the 35th year of operation to New York State West. It also marked some changes. In September of 2016, Amy Gush had left the position of Executive Director and a search was initiated for a new person to fill that role. In May of 2017, New York State West welcomed Alex Brame to the position of Executive Director. 2017 also brought the retirement of long-time director, Tim Mellander. Tim became a full-time employee in 2009 and served as New York West state registrar from 1995 to 2017. Wearing a multitude of hats during his twenty-plus years with the organization including state registrar, Region I registrar, and US Youth Soccer National Registrar Chairman, he left some big shoes to fill.
COVID Pandemic
During the COVID pandemic, we closed our physical office in Corning and began to run as a completely virtual organization.
Recent History
In April 2023, Hugh Goodridge took over the role of President from Curtis Regruit. He was re-elected in November 2023 and continues to serve as the president. After almost five decades of service, our esteemed Rochester District Commissioner, Roger Best, is gracefully stepping aside to take an advisory emeritus role with the Board. We express deep gratitude for his invaluable contributions. This transition allows us to introduce two exceptional individuals who will serve as the District Commissioner. They are Beedemariam Kassaw and Portia Westfall. Together, we look forward to continued growth and success.. In 2024, Alex Brame left the Executive Director position after seven years, and a committee was formed to search for a new Executive Director. The organization will welcome a new Executive Director, which is soon to be announced.
The Future
Soccer continues to grow exponentially, and New York State West will continue to be the leader in youth soccer programming for Western New York State.
NYSW Presidents
- Joe D’Amato (September 1984 – September 1986)
- Roger Skinner (September 1986 – September 1992)
- Joe Madreo (September 1992 – September 1995)
- Tony Buiniskis September (1995 – August 2004)
- Gary Acker (August 2004 – October 2004)
- Bob Sokolinsky (October 2004 – January 2005)
- Oystein (Sandy) Ostebo (January 2005 – September 2006)
- Michael Radecke (September 2006 – August 2010)
- Richard Wagner (August 2010 – August 2015)
- Curtis Regruit (August 2015 – April 2023)
- Hugh Goodridge (April 2023 – Present)