OYSAN Sanctions North Olmsted NOSO Cup and North Ridgeville Cornfest Kick-Off Tournaments

Richfield, Ohio . December 15, 2011: The Ohio Youth Soccer Association North (OYSAN) has sanctioned two tournaments to take place in summer, 2012.

The NOSO CUP will be held in North Olmsted, Ohio, from June 30 to July 1, 2012. It is hosted by North Olmsted Soccer Organization and accepts Recreational, Select & Competitive teams in the U8 through U19 divisions. The tournament website is: nosocup.org


OYSAN has also sanctioned the 2012 North Ridgeville Cornfest Kick-Off. The tournament is hosted by the North Ridgeville Amateur Soccer League (NRASL) and accepts Select & Competitive teams in the U8 through U14 age groups. Dates of the tournament are August 11 and 12, 2012. The tournament website is: www.cornfestkickoff.com

Additional information on both tournaments can be found on the OYSAN website located at: www.oysan.org

Ohio Youth Soccer Association North (OYSAN) is the State Association for U.S. Youth Soccer, the nation’s largest sports organization and the largest member of the United States Soccer Federation. OYSAN’s mission is to teach both soccer and life skills to children of all levels of interest and skill. To learn more, you may visit www.oysan.org, or call 330-659-0989.

OYSAN Boasts 6 Teams in the National League

Richfield, Ohio . November 21, 2011: The Ohio Youth Soccer Association North is proud to be represented by five outstanding young women’s teams and one young men’s team this spring in the US Youth Soccer National League.

·         Internationals 96 Red (U15 girls)

·         Cleveland FC (U15 Girls)

·         Cleveland United White (U16 Girls)

·         Internationals 95 Red (U16 Girls)

·         Internationals 94 Red (U17 Girls)

·         Everest Soccer Club Black (U17 Boys)

The National League is an extension of the highly successful US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues [US Youth Soccer Region I (East) Premier League, Midwest Regional League, Region III (South) Premier League and Far West Regional League] in which the top teams are eligible to continue the path of success into the National League where the ultimate prize is qualifying for the prestigious US Youth Soccer National Championships.

Since its inception, National League teams have captured a combined 13 national championships. In 2008, seven of the eight championship finals slots in the Under-15 and 16 age groups were won by National League teams, which resulted in the League's first four national championships. The League notched four more National Championship titles in 2009 including the Under-15 Boys and Girls, as well as Under-16 Boys and Under-17 Girls. At the 2010 National Championships, League participants took home titles in the Under-15 Boys and Under-17 Girls age groups. And in 2011, eight National League teams advanced to the National Championship game and claimed three more national titles.

Ohio Youth Soccer Association North (OYSAN) is the State Association for U.S. Youth Soccer, the nation’s largest sports organization and the largest member of the United States Soccer Federation. OYSAN’s mission is to teach both soccer and life skills to children of all levels of interest and skill. To learn more, you may visit www.oysan.org, or call 330-659-0989.

2011 OYSAN Annual Awards

Richfield, Ohio . November 14, 2011: The 2011 Ohio Youth Soccer Association North (OYSAN) Annual Awards Luncheon was held on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at the Kalahari Resort and Conference Center in Sandusky, Ohio. 

The event honored all coaches, volunteers, administrators, and young referees who were nominated by their respective leagues as individuals who have made an outstanding impact on their organization and community.  From all of the nominees, the wards went to the following OYSAN members:

·         Brian Fleck and Lynn Saunders were named Volunteers of the Year

·         Tim and Bridgette Joyce were given the David A. Behsara Administrator of the Year Award

·         The Young Female Referee of the Year honors went to Amy Bobonik

·         The Young Male Referee of the Year award went to Kevin Fikar

·         The Mark A. Jacobs Award for Girls Coach of the Year honors went to Jacob Drost (Competitive Program), and Chris Wetz (Recreational Program)

·         The  boys coach of the year was presented to Greg Hennelly (Competitive) and Travis Fiegly (Recreational)

These annual award winners have each been submitted to US Youth Soccer for consideration for the National Volunteer of the Year, Administrator of the Year, Referee of the Year, and Coach of the Year awards, respectively.

In addition to the yearly honors, several other awards were presented. The OYSAN Executive Director’s Award was presented to Don Keefe, Tim Smith, and  Halle Emser who have volunteered considerable amounts of time and have made selfless and long-standing contributions to OYSAN and soccer in Northern Ohio.  

The OYSAN President’s Award  was presented to Tom Hatfield, who has volunteered considerable amounts of time and has made selfless and long-standing contributions to OYSAN and soccer in Northern Ohio.

The OYSAN Director of Coaching Awards were presented to Nordonia Hills Soccer Association and to John Clarke of the Toledo Celtics Soccer Club, who have contributed to the growth and development of the game and who have served to inspire us by example. In addition, Cleveland Futbol Club was recognized for both the Girls Development Cup Award, and the Top Club for ODP (Olympic Development Program) participation. Strongsville and Findlay were recognized for their Top ODP Support as communities. And, finally, Pacesetter Soccer Club (boys) and Internationals Soccer Club (girls) brought home awards in recognition of their 2011 State Cup performances as a club and NC United was recognized for their Bothwell Cup participation as a club.

Also recognized at the event were the players from OYSAN who participated in the ODP program and achieved recognition as Regional Pool Players and National Pool Players. Bronze and Silver Skill Award winners were also presented to round out the lunch program.

Mr. Allan Fee, of Cleveland’s Q104 radio station served as Master of Ceremonies for the annual event, and Mr. Paul Emhoff, Doctor Tom Turner, and Mrs. Pamela Menick from OYSAN also oversaw the award ceremony. Each honoree and award winner received a plaque to commemorate the day’s events which were sponsored in part by University Hospitals, adidas, Kohls, Eurosport, and ZoomReports.

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Ohio Youth Soccer Association North (OYSAN) is the State Association for U.S. Youth Soccer, the nation’s largest sports organization and the largest member of the United States Soccer Federation. OYSAN’s mission is to teach both soccer and life skills to children of all levels of interest and skill. To learn more, you may visit www.oysan.org, or call 330-659-0989.

2011 Ohio Youth Soccer Association North Hall of Fame Induction

Richfield, Ohio . November 14, 2011: The 2011 Ohio Youth Soccer Association North (OYSAN) Hall of Fame was held on Friday, November 11, 2011 at the Kalahari Resort and Conference Center in Sandusky, Ohio.  The event welcomed four new Hall of Fame members to an elite class of administrators, coaches, and players who have made a lasting impact on the Ohio North soccer community. This year’s inductees were: Ron Gedrich, Joe Raduka, Andrew Spiranovich, and the late Otto Thuranszky.

Ron Gedrich started as an assistant coach for his son’s Broadview Heights Travel teamand went on to server as The Cleveland Cobras Soccer Club administrator, the scheduler/secretary for Lake Erie Youth premier Soccer League (LEYPSL), then the Vice President and President of LEYPSL.  Ron also served as a District Commissioner of OYSAN as well as Vice President (2003-2006) and President (2007-2010) of Ohio Youth Soccer Association North.

Joe Raduka played professional soccer for the Yugoslavian first division (Red Star-Belgrade) as well as for several North American Soccer League  (NASL) teams and the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) Cleveland Force team. He began the Cleveland United Soccer Club and was instrumental in founding the Lake Erie Youth Soccer League. His honors include being the 1998 OYSAN coach of the year, the LEYSL coach of the year, and the National Youth Coach of the year and an OYSAN ODP coach as well. Ten of his players have gone on to U.S. National teams, and thirteen have become professionals.

Andy Spiranovich came to the U.S. from Croatia in 1951. By 1957 he was playing in the American Croatian Soccer Club. After retiring as a player, Andy took over as Coach and Manager of the Croatian team. In 1972, he started junior program in the club and showed great success, including a U.S. Finals run in St Louis. Andy helped found the U.S. and Canadian Croatian Junior tournament which still exists, and was instrumental in bringing the Lake Erie Premier League into existence. In 2008, Andy was inducted into the Ohio Soccer Hall of Fame. He is currently president and co-coach of Segota Select Soccer Club.

Otto Thuranszky (1936 – 2003) was born in Budapest and came to the U.S. in 1957. His ease with many languages as well as his views on life and soccer made him a friend to many in the Ohio North community. He worked with the City of Cleveland to furnish fields and teams and established a connection with the Athletic Association. He formed the first youth soccer team of the Donauschwaben Club in 1963 and later became co-founder of the Lake Erie Junior League. Otto was instrumental in the creation, growth, and success of soccer in northern Ohio, where he served as Youth Commissioner.

The event, held in conjunction with the OYSAN annual general meeting weekend and workshops, was attended by many past Hall of Fame members and their spouses and families.  Mr. Allan Fee, of Cleveland’s Q104 radio station served as Master of Ceremonies for the annual event, and Mr. Paul Emhoff, Doctor Tom Turner, and Mrs. Pamela Menick from OYSAN also oversaw the ceremony. Each inductee received a crystal vase to commemorate their award.

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Ohio Youth Soccer Association North (OYSAN) is the State Association for U.S. Youth Soccer, the nation’s largest sports organization and the largest member of the United States Soccer Federation. OYSAN’s mission is to teach both soccer and life skills to children of all levels of interest and skill. To learn more, you may visit www.oysan.org, or call 330-659-0989.