Celebrating Excellence: NJ Youth Soccer Awards Banquet presented by RWJBarnabas Health

In this episode of Greetings from the Garden State, we cover the NJ Youth Soccer Awards Banquet presented by RWJBarnabas Health in Edison, NJ. Host Mike Ham interviews award-winning players, legendary figures, and key stakeholders shaping NJ youth soccer.

Featured Guests & Segments:

Segment 1: Rising Stars of NJ Youth Soccer

• Gabriel Wahby – Save of the Year
  • Describes his game-winning save and technique.
• Melissa Pires – Goal of the Year
  • Talks about her stunning top-corner goal.
• Bobby Kaupas – Comeback Player of the Year
  • Shares his inspiring journey returning from surgery.

Segment 2: Soccer Legends Panel

• Tab Ramos, John Harkes, Tony Meola
  • Discuss NJ’s rich soccer culture and the 2026 FIFA World Cup impact.

Segment 3: Champions & Teams Making History

• Mark Surretsky (Cedar Stars Academy) – USYS National Champion
• Tomas Monteiro (Ironbound SC) – USYS Eastern Regional Champion
• Alyssa Manasse (Rutgers Prep, NJ ODP, U.S. Inter Regional Team)

Segment 4: The Future of NJ Soccer

• Skip Gilbert (CEO, U.S. Youth Soccer) & Lauren LaRusso (NY/NJ World Cup Host Committee)
  • Discuss the 2026 FIFA World Cup and its youth impact.

Segment 5: Youth Soccer & Community Impact

• Evan Dabby (NJ Youth Soccer)
  • Highlights initiatives to expand soccer access.
• Nan Vogel (Gotham FC)
  • Discusses Keeper in the Game initiative.
• Dr. Jason Krystofiak (Gotham FC, RWJ Barnabas Health)
  • Talks player wellness & injury prevention programs.

Key Takeaways:

• NJ soccer is thriving, producing national champions & inspiring stories.
• The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a game-changer for NJ soccer.
• Community partnerships (Gotham FC, RWJ Barnabas Health, NJ Youth Soccer) are vital.
• Inspiration for young players: Hard work & passion open doors.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:

• New Jersey Lottery – Supporting youth sports
• RWJ Barnabas Health – Promoting player wellness
• Gotham FC – Advancing women’s soccer in NJ

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📱 Follow Us: @greetingsfromthegardenstate

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🎟️ Support NJ Youth Soccer: www.njyouthsoccer.com

Transcript

Speaker A [0:00 - 0:00]: Foreign. 

Mike Ham [0:20 - 0:59]: Welcome back to this episode of Greetings with regard to, say, powered by the New Jersey lottery. I'm your host, Mike Ham. We're here In Edison, N.J. today at the New Jersey Youth Soccer Awards dinner banquet, we have three great New Jersey youth soccer players in front of us. All won awards this year. Very exciting. So we have Gabriel Wabi, we have Melissa Pyrus and Bobby Kaupas. Got that right, Right. Bobby. Nailed it. All right, great. So each of you won a specific award. So, Gabriel, we're going to start with you. You won the New Jersey Youth Soccer save of the year. Can you describe the save and what made it the save of the year for 2024? 

Speaker A [1:00 - 1:03]: All right, well, describing the save, it. 

Speaker C [1:03 - 1:05]: Was one one, maybe 20 minutes into. 

Speaker A [1:05 - 1:20]: The second half of the game that we're playing in. We're playing against Real Le Fay, and I was playing with pda. Ball gets played down the right side. My left back winds up getting beat. Ball gets crossed in, and I'm moving to my right, getting ready to prepare for a shot. 

Mike Ham [1:20 - 1:22]: There's a man inside my six. 

Speaker A [1:22 - 1:24]: Ball lands on his foot. He hits it to my left. 

Mike Ham [1:24 - 1:27]: If you're releasing the goal, bottom right. And as I was moving to my. 

Speaker C [1:27 - 1:29]: Right, I jumped backwards and pushed my. 

Mike Ham [1:29 - 1:30]: Hand out to the left side, and. 

Speaker A [1:30 - 1:32]: I wind up pushing it out. 

Mike Ham [1:32 - 1:54]: Yeah. Came in the game one one. You wind up winning that game three one. In the moment. I mean, it's hard to, like, realize in that moment almost like what you did sometimes, like as an athlete, you're just. It's almost like out of body experience at certain points. But you told me off mic before we even started that, like, you didn't think you were going to. You didn't think you were gonna win save of the year, but it must have been pretty special to win this award. 

Speaker A [1:54 - 1:54]: Yeah. 

Speaker C [1:55 - 1:55]: I mean, I feel like it's not. 

Speaker A [1:55 - 1:56]: A very flashy save. 

Mike Ham [1:56 - 1:57]: Sure. 

Speaker A [1:57 - 2:00]: So when you're looking at it, you're not really like, wow, like, geez, man, that. 

Speaker C [2:00 - 2:02]: That's. That's crazy. 

Mike Ham [2:02 - 2:03]: But if you know the game and. 

Speaker A [2:03 - 2:08]: You'Ve watched soccer before and you understand how to play, like, you'll. You understand that that's a technical save. 

Mike Ham [2:08 - 2:08]: Yeah. 

Speaker C [2:08 - 2:09]: And that's. 

Speaker A [2:09 - 2:11]: That's something that's not the easiest to do. 

Mike Ham [2:11 - 2:11]: Sure. 

Speaker C [2:11 - 2:13]: So I feel like that's probably why I want it. 

Mike Ham [2:13 - 2:23]: Yeah. Awesome. Well, congratulations. We'll get back to you, but I want to get to Melissa and Bobby. So, Melissa, goal of the year. Can you take us through your goal? 

Speaker A [2:24 - 2:26]: So we were tied one. 

Mike Ham [2:26 - 2:27]: One at half. 

Speaker A [2:27 - 2:55]: And we're probably at the 60th minute in the second half. We get a corner, and we haven't really used this play before, but we call it. And so that play is two dummies, and the third person shoots it. And instead we decided to try something else and do three dummies, and I was the fourth person, so I took it, and I hit that top end. It was crazy. 

Mike Ham [2:55 - 3:07]: Yeah. And, like, we were talking before, I mean, there must have been, I don't know how many Goals of the Year submissions. Right. But to, like, what does it mean to have the goal of the year for New Jersey Youth Soccer? 

Speaker A [3:07 - 3:20]: It's honestly crazy because there's probably hundreds of submissions, and out of all of New Jersey, I was obviously the top pick, which is crazy to, like, have and, like, a big accomplishment. 

Mike Ham [3:20 - 3:39]: Yeah. 100%. Bobby. Comeback Player of the Year, presented by JAG Physical Therapy. Can you share your story? Because it says here you have been playing soccer with Cherry Hill Soccer Club since you were seven. You're obviously older than seven now. So what puts you on the shelf? And then take us through your comeback. 

Speaker A [3:40 - 3:48]: So when I was born, I was with a condition where, like, my right leg and foot was shorter than the other. 

Mike Ham [3:48 - 3:48]: Okay. 

Speaker A [3:48 - 4:11]: And so as I. As I was playing, I was really good at striker. But then I started to have a limp as I got older, and the discrepancy was bigger, so I had to switch to goalkeeper. But then a couple years later, I'd have surgery on the right leg, and I really thought my soccer career was over. 

Mike Ham [4:11 - 4:11]: Sure. 

Speaker A [4:11 - 4:30]: But then one of my friends called me, and this was from the same team that I was on, and they asked me if I wanted to play goalie again, and I said yes. And it was a pretty good decision of mine because I thought I played really good, and I thought I played the best I could be. 

Mike Ham [4:31 - 4:40]: Sure. What was it like to get back on the field thinking that your career was over at a certain point, but then to be able to get back on the field and play and perform at a high level? 

Speaker A [4:41 - 4:57]: Well, the first game I was back, it was like a tournament game, I think, and it was just like, everybody cheering for me because it was first time I've ever played on the field since I was, like, a year and a half or something. It felt really good to be back on the field and doing what I love. 

Mike Ham [4:58 - 5:18]: Yeah, that's awesome. So, Gabriel, we're going to bring it back over to you, and I'm curious, your future in soccer, like, just you talking to me about it? Like, obviously, you take. All of you take this very seriously. So what are, like, your hopes and dreams when it comes to soccer in Jersey and then beyond? 

Speaker C [5:18 - 5:20]: I mean, the chances of making it. 

Speaker A [5:20 - 5:21]: Pro in the US Are very slim. 

Speaker C [5:21 - 5:22]: To none in any sport. 

Mike Ham [5:22 - 5:23]: I feel like it's. 

Speaker A [5:23 - 5:24]: It's well under 1%. 

Mike Ham [5:24 - 5:26]: And, you know, that's always the dream. 

Speaker A [5:26 - 5:32]: Is to make it as far as I possibly can. But for me, like, I would love to be able to pursue, like, my. 

Mike Ham [5:32 - 5:34]: Academics in college and still be able. 

Speaker A [5:34 - 5:44]: To play for, like, a good program where I could become the best soccer player I can. I mean, eventually, maybe I could get drafted into the MLS or picked up by an MLS squad, but, like, my. 

Speaker C [5:44 - 5:45]: Main goal right now is just to. 

Mike Ham [5:45 - 5:53]: Make it into college and play at the highest level I can while pursuing my academic career. Sure. That's a great answer, Melissa. Same thing. Different. Any other aspirations? 

Speaker A [5:53 - 5:54]: I'm currently in college. 

Mike Ham [5:54 - 5:56]: Right now I'm a freshman in college. Where? 

Speaker A [5:56 - 5:57]: Caldwell. 

Mike Ham [5:57 - 5:57]: Okay, cool. 

Speaker A [5:58 - 5:58]: Division two. 

Mike Ham [5:58 - 5:59]: Yep. 

Speaker A [5:59 - 6:05]: I'm looking to hopefully transfer after my second year and hopefully make it Division one. 

Mike Ham [6:05 - 6:06]: Sure. 

Speaker D [6:06 - 6:07]: Bobby. 

Speaker A [6:08 - 6:12]: Well, right now I'm not really knowing what's. Because this is my first year back. 

Mike Ham [6:12 - 6:13]: Sure. 

Speaker A [6:13 - 6:27]: But I do want to make it farther in soccer, like high school and stuff. But I do have a lot more sports that I play right now, so. I'm really good at music, too. I got a lot of music stuff, but it would be really cool to make it pro in a sport. 

Mike Ham [6:27 - 6:40]: Sure. Yeah. Listen, I'm 34. I still don't really know what I'm doing, but it's okay. So are they gonna play, like, a video of the goal and the save and, like, at this event tonight? 

Speaker A [6:40 - 6:42]: Yeah, we're gonna be handed the awards. 

Mike Ham [6:43 - 6:44]: I feel like I believe they're gonna. 

Speaker C [6:44 - 6:46]: Play the video of the save and. 

Mike Ham [6:46 - 6:48]: Then her goal and. Yeah, I don't know what they're gonna. 

Speaker A [6:48 - 6:51]: Do for exactly, but they're gonna play that, and we go up to the. 

Mike Ham [6:51 - 6:53]: Stage, take our awards or whatever, and. 

Speaker A [6:53 - 6:57]: I think we're meeting back over to that room over there to the vipa. 

Mike Ham [6:57 - 7:24]: Don't ask me, because I don't know that. Is it gonna be like, there's a lot of people here? Yeah, there's like. I think they told me because I had never been to one of these, so they. We had a lot of meetings to make sure that I was really prepared. There's like a thousand people here, and isn't it crazy? Like, is it almost hard to really grasp, like, how Cool. That's gonna be when, like, your save, your goal, your story gets played in front of a thousand people tonight. That's gotta be wild. 

Speaker C [7:24 - 7:24]: Yeah. 

Speaker A [7:24 - 7:26]: Kind of feels like I'm famous. 

Mike Ham [7:26 - 7:51]: Yeah. I mean, in a sense you are. Yeah. I mean, just to get in front of a thousand people and do something, that's amazing. Yeah. You know? Yeah. Nervous at all? Any nerves? Just like. Like, hell, yeah. Yeah. Awesome. Well, congratulations to all three of you. I hope you have a great night, and thank you for joining with us. Joining. Joining us on the show for a little bit, and I'm sure it's going to be a great night for all of you. Thank you. 

Speaker A [7:51 - 7:52]: Thank you. 

Mike Ham [7:52 - 8:17]: Absolutely. So we'll be right back. This is the Greetings from the Garden State podcast, powered by the New Jersey Lottery. I'm Mike Ham. We'll be back in a minute. In a minute. All right, we're back with this episode of Greetings with regards to say, powered by the New Jersey Lottery. I'm Mike Hamm. We're here with three Jersey soccer legends. I'll say it. We got Tab Ramos, John Harks, and Tony Meola. Guys, welcome to the show. 

Speaker D [8:17 - 8:18]: Thank you. 

Speaker C [8:18 - 8:19]: Thank you for having us. Yeah, thanks. 

Mike Ham [8:19 - 8:30]: Absolutely. So can we first just talk about, like, what's up with Carney? And, like, why is Carney the spot for Jersey soccer? I mean, we just had a couple kids. Yeah. 

Speaker C [8:30 - 8:31]: Definitely the water. 

Mike Ham [8:31 - 8:31]: Yeah. 

Speaker D [8:31 - 8:32]: Yeah. 

Speaker C [8:32 - 8:36]: At 14, they made us swim in the Passaic river, and that was it. 

Mike Ham [8:36 - 8:45]: Everything from there went downhill because, I mean, this the save of the year. We just had Gabriel. He's also from Kearney. 

Speaker D [8:45 - 8:46]: Of course he is. 

Mike Ham [8:46 - 9:18]: Yeah. It was like. And then I started looking through my notes here, and I was like, what is everyone here from Kearney like? But incredible. So you grew up playing youth soccer in Kearney in Jersey. You guys all played together. Right. And take me through kind of, like, those memories going back, because, I mean, obviously this is a big event. There's a thousand people here, all youth soccer focused, and then obviously, you all had your own careers in soccer as you progressed. So maybe take me back to, like, what it was like playing soccer in Jersey as a kid. 

Speaker D [9:20 - 9:22]: Well, for me, I just try to. 

Mike Ham [9:22 - 9:23]: Throw it to each other. 

Speaker D [9:23 - 10:09]: The youngest one will go first. Just so I remind everyone that I'm the youngest. I grew up. We grew up in a place where it was unlike other places in the country. It was kind of the cool thing to do. A lot of immigrants moved to Kearney at the time. A lot of Scottish and Irish heritage, which Obviously took the love of the game into the town, you know, and Tab and I moved into town a little bit later than some kids there, Tabbed the latest of us, and it was kind of the thing to do. And to be honest, we thought everybody was doing that around the country because we didn't know any better. We had never really left the town, and we're in our 50s now and realize how lucky we were to grow up in a place that loved the game. 

Mike Ham [10:09 - 10:11]: Yeah. Tab, any other thoughts? 

Speaker E [10:11 - 10:11]: Yeah. 

Speaker C [10:11 - 10:17]: No. I mean, the one thing I would say is, obviously that we were very lucky to be in this town where. 

Speaker D [10:17 - 10:26]: Soccer was the most important thing. You know, not every town was like that, but as Tony mentioned, we didn't know that. And I think that that sort of. 

Speaker C [10:26 - 10:28]: You know, when you look at. 

Speaker A [10:28 - 10:29]: You know, you try to look at. 

Speaker D [10:29 - 10:30]: Today'S game and you see how much. 

Speaker A [10:30 - 10:32]: Kids jump around from team to team. 

Speaker C [10:32 - 10:37]: And from town to town, you know, we. We all played for the same club always. 

Speaker A [10:37 - 10:38]: Like, we never left our club. 

Mike Ham [10:39 - 10:39]: Yeah. 

Speaker A [10:39 - 10:40]: Thistle and Carney. 

Speaker C [10:40 - 10:42]: We all played for Thistle and. 

Speaker D [10:42 - 10:46]: And we left when we went to college having just played our last games for Thistle. So. 

Speaker C [10:46 - 10:50]: Yeah, I think it was pretty neat. Something that doesn't happen as often anymore. 

Mike Ham [10:50 - 10:50]: Yeah. 

Speaker C [10:51 - 11:07]: Yeah. One of the things that I think we all feel is always about the support we always had. It always talks about, you know, it takes a village. You know, we hear that said so many times, and we had that. We had that support from families that we didn't even know. 

Speaker D [11:07 - 11:08]: The. 

Speaker C [11:08 - 11:46]: It was people that were like, they would drive you down to a New Jersey State tryout if you could. You know, it was all of that. So there was a lot of sacrifice from the generations before us, and there was a lot of, for me, just open arms of inclusivity to everybody in the town. It was fantastic. And it was all based around a game that we love. So we all just connected so well through that. And as Tony said, we thought everybody was doing that across the country. But, yeah, I mean, it was just. We were very fortunate to be in an era where we had people that want to coach us and take care of us at the same time. 

Mike Ham [11:46 - 12:44]: It's really cool. So I grew up playing baseball, like, all the way through college, and I was like, I'm in my 30s, and so I was kind of on, like, the beginning part of travel ball and, like, club teams and like, all that kind of stuff, and really kind of changed baseball, youth, baseball forever. But just having, like, the community side of it, I mean, like, I grew up in Pequonock and Little League and Paquanick was like, the thing. Like, you played baseball in Pequonic. Like, that was. That was it. But then to have a community like that, like, you know, like you said, supporting, and, I mean, that's must be, like, the best. That is the best thing that you could possibly have for a kid that's really into a sport. So as Jersey continues to, like, continues to embrace soccer even more obviously, the World cup coming here in 2026, can we talk a little bit about, like, what that means to a state, like. Like, Jersey tab. I know you played in a few World Cups, if you want to maybe speak to that, like, how important that is for Jersey, especially North Jersey, to have the World cup games and also the final playing up at MetLife. 

Speaker C [12:44 - 12:48]: Well, I mean, we all played in multiple World Cups, you know, and we. 

Speaker A [12:48 - 12:52]: Were lucky that we played actually in. In two of them. We played together. 

Speaker D [12:53 - 12:55]: So we played two World Cups together. 

Speaker C [12:55 - 12:58]: 90 and 94. And obviously, growing up in Kearney, you. 

Speaker A [12:58 - 12:59]: Know, we used to go to the. 

Speaker C [12:59 - 13:06]: Cosmos games, and we try to get a ride to that. And I think we could have never imagined that a World cup game would. 

Speaker A [13:07 - 13:09]: Ever be played five miles away from. 

Speaker C [13:09 - 13:11]: Carney and what was Giant Stadium now. 

Speaker D [13:11 - 13:14]: Obviously, is MetLife, but it's still just. 

Speaker C [13:14 - 13:15]: A few miles away. 

Speaker F [13:15 - 13:17]: We could have never imagined that. 

Mike Ham [13:17 - 13:30]: Yeah. And maybe, Tony, if you want to maybe speak to, like, the impact that it has on, like, youth soccer, because obviously, like, we're here and this is a youth soccer event, but to be able to kind of, like, put it right in front of kids has got to be incredible. 

Speaker D [13:30 - 14:10]: Yeah, I think we'll get a little bit of what we got in 1994. I don't think we realized, or a lot of people realized what the World cup means for a community and the impact it has. Now we're gonna have a World cup that's expanded with more nations coming here. I don't think any of these kids have any idea what it's going to be like when that World cup is around. It is an incredible event. It's the biggest event in the world. And I can't imagine of all the places that it's going to be held in three different countries and all the different cities, that any venue is going to be any better than having a World cup in the great state of New Jersey. And I remind people all the time, this is not a New York venue, it's a New Jersey venue. 

Mike Ham [14:11 - 14:12]: That's right. I say that a lot myself. 

Speaker D [14:12 - 14:45]: Yeah. I say it all the time, but I don't know that anyone, having experienced it, we can tell you a little bit about it. And Tab and I actually experienced it as fans in 2018. We were in Russia together. We had never experienced it. We were working in different television areas, and we met up. We were like, is this what fans do? It was the coolest thing. And we sat outside and had coffee one day, and it was like, holy cow, man. We missed a lot by playing. Now we're like, it's gonna be here. I'm gonna be a fan, and I'm gonna be involved in all of it. 

Mike Ham [14:45 - 15:16]: Yeah. And maybe so, like, how do you take the fandom side of it? And maybe, John, I'll. I'll bring this over to you because we'll get to you next. But the fandom side of it, but then also making sure that, like, you're giving back to the game. Because obviously it seems like this giving back to the game is really important for all three of you. And maybe kind of like being a fan and making sure that, like, you're enjoying it and kind of relishing what your experience has been like in the sport. But then being able to make sure that the kids here or the youth soccer programs in Jersey, like, have that experience as well. 

Speaker C [15:16 - 16:06]: Yeah, I think that's the biggest challenge. Right. We were always talking about connecting the game from the youth game to the high school to college and then into the pro levels. And there was a long period of time where there was an absence of a pro level. You know, it went from 84, where Ty was, you know, basically going to be selected to go for the Cosmos, and they folded. And then we came out of high school as well, and we were like, what's next? And now you got the game at the highest level. Coming back here to MetLife Stadium with the final. The World Club Championships are this year, you know, and it's going to be amazing. To connect the game to the kids is making sure that they understand they've got to go to these games. It's. No. We are in a big country, and the hardest thing to do is to manage everybody in every state. But you can never schedule games for youth games at the same time as World cup games. 

Mike Ham [16:06 - 16:06]: Yeah. 

Speaker C [16:07 - 16:15]: Like, that's in other countries. It's blasphemy. Like, just don't even do it. So we gotta make sure we get them to those experiences of game day experiences. 

Mike Ham [16:15 - 16:16]: Right. 

Speaker C [16:16 - 17:21]: That they walk in and they see what it's like and say, you know, there's A small potential. These guys are gonna go, I wanna do that. Not for everybody, but for sure. There's three, four kids on every team dream about doing that, both boys and girls. And we are the only country in the world that started the game in the women's game. We introduced it to the rest of the world. The women's game of football in 1991 when they won the World cup and everybody else looked at the US and said, wow, everybody can play. The women can play. That's incredible. I remember in the 70s in England, they weren't even allowed to kick a ball, you know, so opening up that jar is amazing for the young girls here tonight in Jersey. They get to feel that. And they need more of those MIA hams of the world that come back and become role models for them. So it's fantastic. So we love doing stuff like this for you Soccer association in New Jersey. Because we grew up and we got a lot out of this. We really did. And to come back here tonight, all of us are coming in from everywhere, right? And we're like, why not? Let's do it. Let's get together. So it's really nice to be together. 

Mike Ham [17:21 - 17:27]: Yeah, it really shows. I mean, just like you guys just being here and like the presence here obviously is, is really important to everyone. 

Speaker C [17:28 - 17:31]: We didn't get any presents. I'm sorry, we didn't. Was there a present, Mike? 

Mike Ham [17:31 - 17:34]: I didn't get a present. I haven't even. 

Speaker A [17:35 - 17:35]: We have a lightning. 

Mike Ham [17:35 - 17:36]: I'll give you. 

Speaker C [17:36 - 17:37]: What are we doing with the lightning bolts? 

Mike Ham [17:37 - 17:57]: You can put that on the back of your car, you know, show it off a little bit. Because I think that's like another interesting point too. Like, obviously the World cup itself coming here is like a big monumental thing, but then it's, it's also like these kind of events, like the day to day of continuing to like, make sure the outreach is there, the, you know, the connection is there to, to grow the game. Right? 

Speaker D [17:58 - 18:43]: Yeah. Look, I mean, is it, is it that far fetched to look in this room, like, look at these kids tonight and think that there's not a World cup down the road somewhere, right? I mean, there's one walking around, whether it's on the men's side or the women's side. Some of those kids are going to play in a World cup at one point. They're going to be part of youth national teams. And this is where we all started at banquets like this. And it's great to see. We've, we've always had Obviously an affinity for New Jersey and the players that come out of here for obvious reasons. Right. But we, but truth be told, we have developed so many great players over the years, whether it's been college players, youth national team players, full national team players. There's something about the love of the game in this state that other states could only wish that they had. 

Mike Ham [18:43 - 19:37]: Yeah, that's a great, I think a great way to kind of cap this off. But I just want to make sure that we thank you guys for coming, giving us a couple minutes of your time. I know you got things to do, so thank you again for sharing your love for the game some time with us. So, Tony Miola, Tab Ramos, John Harks, thank you guys so much. And we'll be right back. The Mayo Performing Arts center is the heart of arts and Entertainment in Morristown, New Jersey. MPAC presents over 200 events annually and is home to an innovative children's arts education program. To see Impact's upcoming schedule of world class concerts, stand up comedy, family shows and more, head to mayoarts.org or just click the link in our show notes. Hi, we're back for another segment of Greetings from the Garden State powered by the New Jersey Lottery. I'm Mike Hamilton. We are here at the New Jersey Youth Soccer Awards Banquet. Three more great players, New Jersey youth soccer players. Here with us, Mark Zareczky, Tomas Montero and Alyssa Manassi. Got that right? 

Speaker D [19:37 - 19:38]: Right? Yes. 

Mike Ham [19:38 - 20:12]: I like forgot it halfway through as I was saying it, but I'm glad I got it right. So we're talking the theme of this segment is accomplished teams and players. So, Mark, we're going to start with you. So you are a USYS Eastern Regional champion and winner of a New Jersey Youth Soccer State Cup. Your club team, Cedar Stars Academy north, won the USU Soccer national championship. Yes, we did a lot of things in there. Like, that's a lot of accomplishments. So let's talk about the accomplishments and maybe some of the challenges that your team faced throughout the tournaments that you were playing and how you overcome them. 

Speaker C [20:12 - 20:19]: Yeah, so we actually had to deal with many challenges. Initially, we had a chance to play. 

Mike Ham [20:19 - 20:23]: Two three game tournaments to qualify for nationals. 

Speaker A [20:23 - 20:26]: First tournament, we won all our games. 

Mike Ham [20:26 - 20:30]: Second tournament, we advance, we lose. So we don't qualify for nationals. 

Speaker A [20:30 - 20:35]: We take a longer route to get there. We enter State Cup, I believe it was like about four games. 

Speaker C [20:35 - 20:38]: We win them, we go to regionals. 

Speaker A [20:39 - 20:40]: And we get to the final, we're. 

Mike Ham [20:40 - 20:43]: Down 20 or by two goals for. 

Speaker C [20:43 - 20:45]: About the entire game. 

Speaker A [20:45 - 20:51]: And Then we ended up coming back within the last five minutes and then winning in overtime. 

Speaker C [20:51 - 20:54]: And then we advance to nationals. 

Mike Ham [20:54 - 20:57]: We get there, we win our group. 

Speaker A [20:57 - 21:01]: Stage, we play in the semifinals, and then it goes to pens. 

Speaker C [21:01 - 21:05]: Thankfully, our keeper saved two shots. 

Speaker A [21:05 - 21:06]: So we advance to the finals. 

Speaker C [21:07 - 21:08]: And this team we played in the. 

Speaker A [21:08 - 21:13]: Finals, they're back to back, defending champs, national titles. 

Mike Ham [21:13 - 21:13]: Sure. 

Speaker A [21:13 - 21:14]: So, like, they're. 

Mike Ham [21:14 - 21:16]: They're pretty good. Yeah. Yeah. Great team. 

Speaker C [21:17 - 21:21]: And we're down 20 for the majority of the game. 

Mike Ham [21:22 - 21:26]: Eventually we come back, we tie it up 2, 2. 

Speaker A [21:26 - 21:28]: It's about extra time. 

Speaker C [21:28 - 21:32]: And then in the very last minute, we score the game winner. 

Speaker A [21:32 - 21:38]: So faced a lot of challenges, dug a lot of holes for ourselves, but in the end, it felt great. 

Mike Ham [21:38 - 22:05]: Yeah. Because, hey, a win's a win at the end of the day, you know, so. Awesome. Well, congratulations. Thank you. Tomas, you are a member of the Ironbound Soccer Club team that won the USU Soccer Eastern Regional Championships. Can you take me through? And we're eventually going to get to a similar question for all of you. But the idea of like competing at a high level with a great team, like, how does that help you elevate your game overall? 

Speaker D [22:06 - 22:06]: Yeah, definitely. 

Speaker A [22:07 - 22:13]: I mean, we kind of had a couple struggles, not having enough players there, having 13 players. 

Speaker D [22:13 - 22:14]: But really as a team, we came. 

Speaker A [22:14 - 22:16]: Together and we had every game. 

Speaker D [22:16 - 22:18]: We had the mentality where we got. 

Speaker A [22:18 - 22:20]: To work with intensity, hard work, all. 

Speaker D [22:20 - 22:22]: That if we wanted to win. 

Speaker A [22:22 - 22:30]: And our coaches, our players, everyone had that same mindset that we had to really work together in order for us to advance. And in the end, we did. 

Mike Ham [22:31 - 22:33]: Awesome. Alyssa? 

Speaker F [22:34 - 22:34]: Yes. 

Mike Ham [22:34 - 22:36]: Sorry about your leg. 

Speaker F [22:36 - 22:37]: Yes. 

Mike Ham [22:37 - 23:02]: But that doesn't take away from all the accomplishes accomplishments of last year. So you are a sophomore at Rutgers Preparatory School, currently playing for STA and a key player with New Jersey Youth Soccer's ODP Pro ODT ODP team. Sorry. This year she was selected to the U.S. soccer Inter Regional team. So how has the Olympic development program shaped your development as a player and a teammate? 

Speaker F [23:03 - 23:29]: You know, it's a great environment. There are multiple people around you. They're great players. So I think the talent really pushes you to do better and to be your best. And the coaches around you too, they give you lots of feedback, and the feedback is great. At the end of every season, they give you feedback forms. And I think that's helped me grow because I see how other coaches see me and I can apply that to how I play and what I do in my daily life. 

Mike Ham [23:29 - 23:53]: Yeah, absolutely. That's a Great answer. So let's go back to you, Mark. So the. I asked you off mic before. We were. While we were waiting, getting set up and everything, if your team was here. I think you said that most of your team is here. Most of my team. So what's it like to be able to, like, you win nationals and then you come here and there's a thousand people here, but, like, you and your whole team are here? Like you and your boys. 

Speaker C [23:53 - 23:53]: Yeah. 

Mike Ham [23:53 - 23:55]: Like, what's that? Like, that's gotta be awesome. 

Speaker C [23:55 - 23:57]: These are memories that you have for life. 

Mike Ham [23:57 - 23:58]: You know what I'm saying? 

Speaker A [23:58 - 24:00]: So get here. 

Mike Ham [24:00 - 24:02]: Getting the chance to celebrate it, it feels great. 

Speaker C [24:02 - 24:04]: But also the fact that we won this together. 

Speaker A [24:05 - 24:09]: We've been a team for so long, and going through all that adversity has. 

Speaker C [24:09 - 24:14]: Really helped us mold as people and as a team together. So, you know, I've met some kids. 

Mike Ham [24:14 - 24:29]: That I'm gonna know for the rest of my life. My closest friends now. So I think that's really special. Yeah, 100%. Tomas, similar question, because I think you told me that you are relatively new to the Ironbound team. Is that correct? 

Speaker G [24:29 - 24:30]: Yeah. 

Mike Ham [24:30 - 24:40]: So what's it like to be here with your team and also be the one that is here with me now? Talking about the team, like, that's got to be pretty. That's got to be pretty cool because you're talking to me. I'm just kidding. 

Speaker A [24:41 - 24:45]: No, yeah, it is. I mean, I've only been here eight months, but in the my. 

Speaker D [24:45 - 24:47]: In my short time here, I've really. 

Speaker A [24:47 - 24:56]: Grown closer to them in, like, a different level than I had with my previous team. I mean, we play each other in high school, and even though whatever in. 

Speaker D [24:56 - 24:58]: High school, we come back together, practice. 

Speaker A [24:58 - 24:59]: And it just feels like we just. 

Speaker D [24:59 - 25:03]: By the day, we grow closer and closer. I mean, like, I really love these guys. 

Speaker A [25:03 - 25:10]: I've really grown closer with all the tournaments we've been to, just enjoying the time we have left playing this amazing sport that we all love. 

Mike Ham [25:10 - 25:24]: Yeah. Awesome. Alyssa, so your experience, a little bit unique, you know, from people that we've talked to so far. So what was the most valuable part of that experience playing at the inter regional level? 

Speaker F [25:24 - 25:54]: I think the most valuable part was probably the relationships that you grow with each other. We've all played against each other at least once before in, like, national events or regional events. So I think it's like once we started playing, it's like we all played as a team. We all knew each other. And unfortunately, I wasn't able to go this Year, but the last years, it was. It's great talent. Everybody knows each other. It's like you guys have been friends forever. So I think the chemistry off the field helps with the chemistry on the field as well. 

Speaker A [25:54 - 25:55]: Yeah. 

Mike Ham [25:55 - 26:18]: And so are you. I think the. The winning team, like, there must be some type of presentation and all that kind of stuff right at the. At the banquet. So what's that going to be like when, like, in front of all these people, like a thousand people. People are chanting your name over there. So what's. What's that going to feel like when you guys go up there, you accept your award? Take me through what you're. What you're thinking. I mean, are you nervous? 

Speaker C [26:18 - 26:19]: Oh, I wouldn't say I'm nervous. 

Mike Ham [26:19 - 26:21]: Yeah, you're getting heckled right now. So that's. 

Speaker C [26:21 - 26:24]: I know these are my teammates that. 

Mike Ham [26:24 - 26:27]: Are not the best. So great right now, but no, it's. 

Speaker C [26:28 - 26:30]: Definitely going to be fun to go on that stage and celebrate. 

Speaker A [26:30 - 26:33]: I mean, the hard work that we've all had to get here. 

Speaker C [26:35 - 26:38]: I think it's going to be great. It's going to be a lot of fun. 

Mike Ham [26:38 - 26:43]: Same question for you, Tomas. Like, what's that going to feel like when you guys go up there and accept your award? 

Speaker A [26:43 - 26:59]: I mean, it's going to feel pretty good. I mean, we worked hard this past couple of past, like, nine months and all that, but I feel like it's going to kind of fuel us because, I mean, we have one season left. I feel like we're going to kind of strive for more, as Mark said, to kind of win a national championship. 

Speaker D [26:59 - 27:00]: That's our goal for the season. 

Mike Ham [27:00 - 27:09]: Totally. And, Alyssa, obviously you have an injury right now, but, like, what are you looking forward to once you're able to get back on the field? 

Speaker F [27:10 - 27:27]: I think right now what I'm just going to do is once I get back, I'm going to make up for all the time that I lost. I think watching everybody play on the field, it's going to make me a better player because I could see the certain scenarios that they're in, and I could see how I could get myself out of those. And I think overall, it's just going. 

Speaker A [27:27 - 27:28]: To make me a better player. 

Speaker F [27:28 - 27:32]: So it's given me time to improve, time to rest, so I could come back as an even better player. 

Mike Ham [27:32 - 28:29]: Awesome. Well, thank you all three of you so much for doing this with us and appreciate you sharing your stories and good luck in the future and have fun tonight. So this has been this segment of Greetings for the Garden State, powered by the New Jersey Lottery, we're here with Mark Sretsky, Tomas Montero and Alyssa Manassi. We'll be right back. Looking to buy, sell or rent in Monmouth or Ocean counties, Meghan Carroll of Re Max Elite brings local expertise and personalized service. Megan will make your real estate process smooth and stress free, bringing southern hospitality to the Jersey shore. Call Megan today at 732-508-7402 or visit her website at mcsellsbythesea.com all right, we're back for another segment of this episode of Greetings for the Garden State, powered by the New Jersey Lottery. I'm Mike Hamm. We're here, of course, at the New Jersey Youth Soccer Awards Banquet. Two more guests with us, one familiar face, one new face for us. We got Skip Gilbert, U.S. youth Soccer CEO, and Lauren LaRusso, co chair of the New York New Jersey World cup host committee. Guys, welcome to the show. 

Speaker A [28:29 - 28:30]: Thank you. Thanks for having us. 

Mike Ham [28:31 - 29:01]: Absolutely. So, Skip, we'll start with you. You are the CEO of Youth Soccer, US Youth Soccer, bringing over 30 years of experience in sports leadership, including roles in marketing, operations and governance. And you focus on expanding access, fostering player development and enhancing the youth soccer experience nationwide. Thank you to New Jersey Youth Soccer for these great notes. But I do the first question here, and you were asking if you're New Jersey through and through, to myself and to Lauren. You have some Jersey roots yourself, don't you? 

Speaker C [29:01 - 29:25]: I do, yeah, of course. No, I played. I went to high school in New Jersey down at Lawrenceville. Okay. So I played high school. We won two state championships. I played club soccer, I played Mercer County Select, I played odp, went to many Cosmos games at Giant Stadium. And so yeah, I'm New Jersey Youth Soccer through and through. 

Mike Ham [29:25 - 29:32]: Yeah. And what's it like to come to an event like this and almost like back we'll say home in a sense, you know. 

Speaker C [29:32 - 30:07]: And I set it up when I was on the stage, you know, having been in the sport and in sport in general for so many years, some of the best players in the country come out of New Jersey year in and year out, year out. So it truly is if you can play with the best in New Jersey, you can play with the best in the world. And so it's always really special for me to come back to New Jersey just to see the excitement and to see just when you look in the kids eyes and the excitement and they're proud and they're so excited for the future. It's hard not to just be energized by it. 

Speaker A [30:07 - 30:08]: Yeah. 

Mike Ham [30:08 - 30:34]: And so for Lauren. Lauren and all the prep that's going in. And we talked kind of about the prep and everything about World cup coming in 2026 on an episode of the show last year from the youth soccer perspective. And we've asked Tab and Tony and John and some of the kids that have been on the show so far, like the build up towards the World cup in 2026. Talk to me about, like, the youth soccer component and how important that is to the day to day operations of what you guys do and what you're preparing for. 

Speaker A [30:34 - 32:03]: Yeah, thanks, Mike. I think it goes back actually a few years when we first started working with New Jersey Youth soccer and Evan Davy. We didn't even have a formal organization. And it was a priority for us to think about youth as a key constituent group that we needed to service and make sure that as we plan this big mega sporting event and of course want business involvement, government involvement, and other parts of the community to remember the youth and what the legacy will be for them in all of this. And so we started early conversations with Evan about what that could be as we're getting closer to 2026 and the FIFA World Cup. For us, that will be a lot of community engagement, but a lot of strategic efforts to involve them because again, only so many people can go to the matches at MetLife Stadium. We have a ginormous FIFA fan festival that we're doing and hope to have youth components and will have youth components in that, but also a regional fan engagement plan that will be in all the boroughs in New York City and throughout the state of New Jersey and North, Central and South Jersey. And we are looking to partner with different community groups and specifically involving youth to come to activations and bring player ambassadors and legends and all sorts of things that we can do for them to give them access. Yeah, as you said, you know, it's about getting them excited and seeing the future of what this all could be. 

Mike Ham [32:03 - 32:36]: Yeah, I think it's funny too. Like, I don't know if you remember, but when we recorded our episode at MetLife, like New Jersey youth soccer was on the field practicing that day. And so it's just kind of like a full circle moment that now we're back here at the awards banquet and all that. So, Skip, where do you see the future of soccer here in Jersey? Because obviously, like, you're connected all over the country with U.S. youth soccer, but the future of soccer here in Jersey, with all the stuff that's Happening and the excitement about the World cup and everything that's, that's going on here. So where do you kind of see the future of soccer in Jersey as a whole for, for the youth? 

Speaker C [32:36 - 32:55]: You know, there's a, there's a paradigm that we use for player development in the country which is build the base, promote the sport, achieve sustained competitive success. New Jersey's already there, so it's not a mad, it's not a matter of can you get more 6 year olds playing the game? Almost every kid is going to play the game of soccer. 

Speaker A [32:55 - 32:59]: Mine is turning six next month and already here we go, fully there. 

Mike Ham [32:59 - 33:01]: See Kayson fully there. 

Speaker A [33:01 - 33:02]: She's all in. 

Speaker C [33:02 - 33:16]: But the real challenge, and this is where the World cup is going to be so instrumental is how do we keep more kids playing the game. We're so focused at the very top of the pyramid that sometimes we forget about the kids that just want to play. 

Mike Ham [33:16 - 33:17]: Right. 

Speaker C [33:17 - 34:08]: And I always put it is we're very good at a competitive development pathway. But what about the pathway for the kids that ultimately just want to be a 40 year old playing in a bar league? They have no aspirations for college, they probably won't play high school, they are not going to play MLS or nwsl. They just want to play. And unfortunately the way the sport in this country is set, their opportunities to play are getting less and less. And so if we can change that narrative and give them more, not 11 v 11, but perhaps 3 v 3s so they can just go out. You know, it's almost like years ago. If you go into New York City, every basketball court on every other block is filled with people. We need to have that happen for soccer and in the small sided so they can go out and play when they want, where they want and with whom they want. 

Mike Ham [34:08 - 34:59]: Yep. Yeah. And it's crazy because like we had like I mentioned Tony, John and Tab on the show before and they like grew up together, they played together, they were in the same community. Like they, and they said that they're in their 50s. So like I'm in my 30s. Like my experience playing sports when I was a kid, like you played with your town teams and like, you know, and then as I got older that was like the start of club sports and you know, travel ball and all that kind of stuff. And it's shifted a lot of the stuff to like what you're saying, taking away from just like the kids that want to play. Because if you're not, if you're not like all in, like why do it and it's like, because it's fun, like that's the whole point. And to grow the game like you need stuff like that. Right. So Lauren, with New Jersey Youth Soccer, can you talk maybe about some like highlights and of your partnership with the. With you soccer and like what some collaborations you're going to be working on over the next couple years? 

Speaker A [34:59 - 36:37]: Sure. One one of them actually piggybacks on exactly what you're saying. So the host committee has made a commitment to install all 26 mini pitches throughout New York and New Jersey. And those mini pitches allow for the pickup games and allow for the less formal aspects of the game for kids to get involved in. Most of them, the sites that we look at are like school playgrounds that are easily accessible to after school programs or after that, you know, for the neighborhood kids to come and use. One we did in Kearney actually with the Premier League a couple years ago now we partnered with an organization that would allow adults pick up to pick up games to be used on that same elementary school mini pitch. So one of the things we are working with New Jersey Youth soccer now is making sure that those mini pitches get installed in locations that really need them and are most efficient for the community. So we work with them on that. Other things that we're looking to do with them. And Evan Dabby is different kind of soccer councils to make sure that all different lenses of the soccer community in New Jersey have a voice as we plan for 26. And so we've talked a lot about that and we started early on inputs. I've spoken to their general council meetings and sat down with parents, youth coaches to better understand what they need so we can prioritize and plan towards that. So New Jersey Youth Soccer has really allowed us to make it such that, you know, we ensure a seat at the table for young people and their parents and coaches in the game. 

Speaker D [36:37 - 36:38]: Yeah. 

Mike Ham [36:38 - 37:17]: And I think it's a really cool thing and I know we talked about this last time, but a really cool thing knowing that obviously to put on World cup games, let alone like a final World cup game at MetLife. I mean that's like there's a lot of stuff that you have to do, whether it was just getting prepared to win the bid and all that kind of stuff, but then now that you have it to get to the end, end of it. But knowing that, excuse me, Youth soccer is a critical and huge component of like your day to day job is, is really cool to see because I think like we talked about before, it's not getting lost in like the big like World cup, like, ooh, that's so cool. But the day to day growing, growing the game, like, that's a really big, important piece. 

Speaker A [37:17 - 37:42]: I mean, if we're not thinking about legacy and what it should be and you know, why are we doing this? And you know, a mega sporting event is great. It brings economic impact, but what is left behind? You know, it's only a 39 day tournament. It's going to come up quick and go. And so if we actually think strategically about this and make sure we're getting a good return on investment and it should leave lasting impacts. 

Mike Ham [37:42 - 37:52]: Yeah, totally. So skip my last one for you. You're at this event. Is this like, it's got to be like the best youth soccer awards banquet in the country, right? 

Speaker A [37:52 - 37:53]: Better than Texas. Right? 

Mike Ham [37:53 - 37:54]: Better than Texas. 

Speaker C [37:54 - 38:26]: Better than Texas. Well, you know, it goes hand in hand. You have some of the best players in the country here. You should have the best awards dinner here. And again, kudos to Evan and his team because they've done some really great things to keep the kids connected even here. You know, they go next door and they're on camera on the red carpet. You know, they get to walk out and parade to show their award and get team photos. It keeps them active and away from just sitting at a table, eating dinner, hearing their name and then going home. 

Mike Ham [38:26 - 38:27]: Yep. 

Speaker C [38:27 - 38:33]: I mean, it really is a terrific evening and hopefully I'd love all of our state associations to follow the script. 

Mike Ham [38:33 - 39:13]: Yeah. I mean, this is the first one that I've ever been to and am just blown away. I told my fiance I was coming to like a New Jersey youth soccer awards banquet. She's like, are you serious? And I was like, it's not, it's not what you think. It's different. It's better, you know, but to have this many people here and like you said, like the experiential type thing. That's right. We don't do anything, you know, half, it's always full. So my last one for you, Lauren, is obviously there's the World Cup. There's a lot of things happening between now and July 2026. So what are some things that people like, are fans of the game that they can be looking for that are going to be happening over the next year and a half that they can get excited about and kind of help with that build up. 

Speaker A [39:13 - 40:16]: Sure. So first off, this summer we have Club World cup coming. It's FIFA's inaugural tournament with I believe it's like 32 teams or 32, 36. Don't quote me. I apologize. I'm focused on 26. But Club World cup is coming and MetLife will be hosting nine games, including a quarterfinal, two semifinals and the final. So it's a big deal for us. We're super excited to, you know, use that as a springboard to like take that momentum as we go into 26. And we have the one year kickoff as well, June 11, 2025, which all of the U.S. canada and Mexico host cities will be joining together with FIFA to really kick off our efforts. And for us, we'll be doing participation and community led events throughout the year. We are going to have a mobile tour, a skyline to shoreline theme where we will show up at events and you could really start to see and feel this coming. So we're really excited, excited about that. 

Mike Ham [40:16 - 40:48]: Awesome. I think we're all excited. So thank you both for joining us, giving a couple minutes of your time for this great event and joining us here on the show. We'll let you get back to it. So this has been this segment of Greetings for the Garden State, powered by the New Jersey Lottery. I'm Mike Ham. This was Skip Gilbert and Lauren larusso. Thanks for listening. We'll be back in a minute. All right, we're back for our final segment of this episode of Greetings for the Garden State, powered by the New Jersey Lottery. So I'm Mike Hamm. We have now Evan Dabby, nan Vogel and Dr. Jason Krzysztofiak. Welcome to the show. 

Speaker C [40:48 - 40:49]: Thanks. Thank you. 

Mike Ham [40:49 - 40:49]: Thank you. 

Speaker C [40:49 - 40:50]: We're the grand finale, huh? 

Mike Ham [40:50 - 40:59]: The grand finale. So I guess first off, Evan, just congratulations and well done on a great event. This has been tremendous. 

Speaker C [40:59 - 41:00]: I'm having some fun. 

Mike Ham [41:00 - 41:02]: So hopefully, you know, I say this. 

Speaker C [41:02 - 41:06]: Is a night out with a thousand of my closest friends. So here's two of the thousand. 

Mike Ham [41:06 - 41:09]: And you know, I think there's a. 

Speaker C [41:09 - 41:18]: Lot of smiles, there's a lot of laughter, there's a lot of chaos, organized chaos. And you know, I think youth soccer is about fun and I hope that's what happened tonight. And incredibly grateful for the support of. 

Mike Ham [41:18 - 41:20]: RWJ to help us do nights like. 

Speaker C [41:21 - 41:22]: This and all the other partners here. 

Mike Ham [41:22 - 41:46]: Yeah, absolutely. And honestly, everyone that we've had come through, like all the players, everybody else that's kind of been a part of the show so far. Tremendous. So, like my first experience, 10 out of 10. So great job. Okay, can we talk a little bit about. We'll start with you. How does New Jersey youth soccer engage with Local communities to grow youth soccer across the state. So just so we can kind of get an idea of what it's all about. 

Speaker C [41:46 - 41:55]: Sure. Well, it's a team effort. There's 10 member leagues, 400 member clubs, thousands of volunteers throughout the state. And it's about empowering them to do. 

Mike Ham [41:55 - 41:59]: What they do in their communities. Beyond that, we kind of put a. 

Speaker C [41:59 - 42:00]: Little of our touch on it and. 

Mike Ham [42:00 - 42:02]: A little bit of our flavor. 

Speaker C [42:02 - 42:25]: Examples include, we had a blast with, with Cafu, the Brazilian legend. He approached us, he was in market and we had put together in a few weeks a clinic in Hoboken for the rec players. Bruninha came from Gotham fc. They had a jersey exchange between two Brazilians in their heritage. 

Mike Ham [42:25 - 42:26]: So that was unbelievable. 

Speaker C [42:27 - 42:46]: And then we got fortunate to have some grant programs. Rec referee program, giving back to the community, the 12 to 14 year olds, giving them an experience to gain experience before they go on to become referees at older ages. And then last I'll mention, let's play. It's an after school program funded by. 

Mike Ham [42:46 - 42:47]: The Innovate to Grow grant at US. 

Speaker C [42:47 - 42:50]: Soccer and it allows us to go. 

Mike Ham [42:50 - 43:14]: Into underprivileged areas schools and have a fully funded after school program. Yeah, that's amazing. We'll kind of swing it around the table here to you, Nan. So you're the Gotham FC senior Vice President of partnerships, game day experience and community and social impact. So a lot of responsibility there for sure. But can you tell us a little bit about your soccer background and then how it feels to be here at the New Jersey Youth Soccer Awards Dinner? Absolutely. 

Speaker C [43:14 - 43:17]: So I grew up playing the game. 

Speaker A [43:17 - 43:39]: I played in college. Not very well, but I had a great time and I have a real passion for the sport. And while I was in college, ice surgery, interning for Major League Soccer, and I was like, oh, you can make a career out of this. So that's actually when I first met Evan back in the day and now, you know, and then I met my husband playing soccer. Like everything is my world is soccer. 

Speaker C [43:40 - 43:42]: But now I get to sit in. 

Speaker A [43:42 - 44:03]: A really unique role, I think with Gotham, where I'm overseeing partnerships and community, which to us they are one and the same. You can't kind of have a real partnership at. There's not a community angle to it. And so we work with RWJ Barnabas, they are. Dr. K is our doctor, they are team physician. But also we work with New Jersey Youth Soccer on some incredible programming. 

Mike Ham [44:03 - 44:32]: Yeah, absolutely. And so as she kicks it over to you, that's a great segue way to move it down the table. So we really appreciate that. So Dr. K, Chief Medical Officer for Gotham FC and a board certified physician specializing in sports medicine. So in partnership with New Jersey Youth Soccer, how does RWJ Barnabas Health promote community and the well being of youth players? Because that's a big thing, you know, like kids especially playing maybe one sport, all that kind of stuff. Take us through that. 

Speaker H [44:32 - 44:32]: Sure. 

Speaker D [44:32 - 44:35]: So very fortunate to have the opportunity. 

Mike Ham [44:35 - 44:38]: To be a part of RWJ Barnabas Health. 

Speaker A [44:38 - 44:40]: We are New Jersey's largest, most comprehensive. 

Speaker D [44:40 - 44:42]: Health care system and we are out. 

Mike Ham [44:42 - 44:43]: There in the communities. 

Speaker D [44:43 - 44:45]: We are all about community engagement to. 

Speaker C [44:45 - 44:48]: Make sure that we're allowing everyone to. 

Mike Ham [44:48 - 44:53]: Have the same opportunities to get access to elite healthcare with thousands of employees. 

Speaker A [44:53 - 44:56]: In New Jersey and allow individuals who. 

Speaker D [44:56 - 45:02]: Love playing a sport, whether it's soccer or anything else, where we want to promote them to do whatever they want to do and we want to keep. 

Speaker A [45:02 - 45:05]: Them healthy and happy doing what they love on and off the field. 

Mike Ham [45:05 - 45:24]: Right. And so, Evan, when you obviously have a great team that you work with, you know, like day to day to put on an event like this and just run New Jersey Youth Soccer, but then also taking into account partners like Gotham FC and RWJ Barnabas Health, can you talk about the importance of groups like that and organizations like that to kind of make this whole wheel turn like it does? 

Speaker C [45:24 - 45:52]: Yeah, we will reach. We want to connect with our partners at every opportunity. And I think tonight is a perfect example. We started, I started being involved in this event 10 years ago, 300 people, a really great event. But we are here with a capacity crowd of a thousand plus and we have to thank RWJ Barnabas Health. They got involved several years ago, really helped support us at all levels. 

Mike Ham [45:52 - 45:55]: And I think this tonight is just a unique youth experience. 

Speaker C [45:55 - 46:01]: So thank you to our partners there. And then it's easy to look at Nan and think of the Keeper in. 

Mike Ham [46:01 - 46:04]: The game initiative so aligned in that. 

Speaker C [46:04 - 46:17]: In terms of promoting girls playing soccer. They're leading the way in that and we're just happy to be connecting with our coaches, our players, many of whom are here tonight and building upon the. 

Mike Ham [46:17 - 46:39]: Leadership that they're driving. Yeah, absolutely. And as you guys are doing so good, like just kind of moving the conversation along, it's taken really all the work out of this. For me. It's almost like we know each other and we've done this before. Yeah, it's so weird. So Dan, can you tell us a little bit about Gotham FC's youth engagement strategy? And how New Jersey Youth Soccer and RWJ's Barnabas Health plays a role in that, in that outreach. 

Speaker C [46:39 - 46:40]: Absolutely. 

Speaker A [46:40 - 48:00]: So we have established four strategic pillars from a community and social impact perspective. Youth access to sport is obviously one of them. And within that, back In August of 2024, we launched our flagship program called Keeper in the Game. And, and that is in partnership with Girls Leadership who helps us create the curriculum, New Jersey Youth Soccer, which has helped us source a number of the clubs and distribute a number of the curriculum. And basically the program itself is designed to give coaches and the trusted adults in these girls lives the tools and the language of resilience so that they know how to handle the unique pressures that girls are under in today's world. So it's really targeted at that 10 to 1212 age range when you're kind of at that inflection point of maybe thinking sports isn't for me and just giving them those tools to be able to stay in the game and then reap all of the benefits that we know come from that. And then with rwj, Barnabas Health we also. Community is a major, major focus for us. And so as an example, we had last year, 20 of our players on the same day go to 14 different facilities for RWJ throughout the state of New Jersey to do hospital visits and visit with patients. And it was just an incredible day. Really well received by all the doctors and nurses and the, and the kids and the patients as well. 

Mike Ham [48:00 - 48:10]: Absolutely. So, and going off that topic of community, can you talk maybe a little bit more about RWJ Barnabas Health's other initiatives that support youth and communities around the state? 

Speaker D [48:10 - 48:11]: Sure. 

Speaker A [48:11 - 48:14]: So on top of NJ's youth soccer. 

Mike Ham [48:14 - 48:21]: There'S also programs that we have with the New Jersey Devils just looking to promote individuals who just love playing sport. 

Speaker A [48:21 - 48:23]: Whether it's hockey, soccer, whatever the case may be. 

Mike Ham [48:24 - 48:30]: A lot of our community based programs are also into screening. So we do concussion screening, we do cardiac screening. 

Speaker A [48:30 - 48:32]: Allowing individuals who play a sport who may not have the best access to. 

Mike Ham [48:32 - 48:35]: Healthcare to be able to come in and get free screenings to make sure. 

Speaker D [48:35 - 48:36]: That they're in tip top shape when. 

Mike Ham [48:36 - 48:39]: They get on the field. And whether it's, it's something that we. 

Speaker D [48:39 - 48:44]: Have a deep pride into. One of our main slogan is let's be healthy together. 

Mike Ham [48:44 - 48:47]: And that's us in the communities wanting all of our communities that we care. 

Speaker D [48:47 - 48:48]: For to be healthy. 

Mike Ham [48:48 - 49:11]: Absolutely. And so back to you Evan. When we're talking about New Jersey Youth Soccer and these partnerships and community so how does New Jersey soccer balance fostering community involvement with achieving competitive successes in youth soccer? Because obviously, like, you want to win. Like, we had the goal of the year, the save of the year, the comeback player of the year. I mean, those are like, I only want to win? 

Speaker C [49:11 - 49:12]: Is that what you're saying? 

Mike Ham [49:12 - 49:22]: I mean, everyone wants to win. Like, if you're not, you know, but. But also, I mean, there's. There's a room for everything. Room for everyone and all that. So you can. Can you take us through how you balance that? Sure. 

Speaker C [49:22 - 49:49]: We're lucky that we have opportunity for programming at all levels. One of the ones we're most proud of is Top Soccer, a program for players with disabilities. RWJ Barnabas Health sponsors the registration for nearly 1,000 players with disabilities across the state. A wonderful program. We also, throughout the competitive spectrum, have our Olympic development program, those players looking to be identified for the national team. 

Mike Ham [49:49 - 49:51]: We had 11 girls here that were. 

Speaker C [49:51 - 50:14]: Selected for the US Youth Soccer Inter Regional Team. And we found out earlier this week, one of the girls here was selected for the U.S. youth Soccer National Select Team. And then also our State cups, a thousand teams, one of the largest state cups in the country, every year compete for the honor. We saw so many here tonight. State winners go on to be regional winners, and we had a few national winners as well. 

Mike Ham [50:15 - 50:42]: What's it like, Nan? You know, like, obviously working with New Jersey Youth Soccer and all the stuff that everyone does. So to come to a night like this where it's like a culmination of all the hard work and, you know, you're doing good, like, day to day, right? Like, being involved with New Jersey Youth Soccer and all that. But then to get to a night like this where it all kind of comes together and you do have people winning kids winning awards and really, like, you know, realizing their dreams in some cases. Can you take us through, like, how cool something like this is? 

Speaker A [50:42 - 50:45]: So tonight is my first time actually coming to this event. 

Mike Ham [50:45 - 50:45]: Yeah. 

Speaker A [50:45 - 51:22]: I have unfortunately not been able to make it to the past few, and I'm blown away, like, the level of energy, how excited the kids are, all the different costumes and the outfits and the sunglasses. And, like, it's so fun to see how much fun they're having and that they're all celebrating each other. And so I really think, to your point, like, yes, there's the competition aspect of this, but there's also the community that you build within your team. And then even broader than that, just the soccer community is a small, insular one. And so I think you see a lot of people kind of lifting each other up, and it's just. It's. I'm again, congrats to you. Like, this is an amazing night. 

Mike Ham [51:22 - 51:37]: Yeah, absolutely. And a similar question for you, Dr. K. Like, what. What's it like to kind of all the stuff that you do personally with, you know, Gotham FC and youth soccer, but then RWJ as a whole. Can you take us through your experience tonight? Yeah, I've been here. 

Speaker A [51:37 - 51:39]: Been back here a couple years now. 

Mike Ham [51:39 - 51:40]: And I look forward to it every year. 

Speaker A [51:40 - 51:42]: And it's an invitation I have on. 

Mike Ham [51:42 - 51:44]: My schedule before it even comes, actually. 

Speaker A [51:45 - 51:49]: It's a great event to see these youngsters. And when I look at it, I. 

Mike Ham [51:49 - 51:51]: See them looking up to the best. 

Speaker A [51:51 - 51:57]: Soccer players in the world competing at the highest level of competition. So I see all these youth athletes. 

Mike Ham [51:57 - 52:00]: They look up to Gotham fc, they look up to Red Bulls in the. 

Speaker D [52:00 - 52:01]: State of New Jersey. 

Speaker A [52:01 - 52:03]: And we're just so privileged and honored. 

Speaker D [52:03 - 52:10]: As a healthcare system to be the official healthcare provider of Gotham FC and to be able to offer all these services throughout. 

Speaker A [52:10 - 52:11]: So when I look at it, I. 

Mike Ham [52:11 - 52:17]: See a little bit of an older version of myself. Right. And kind of makes me want to. 

Speaker D [52:17 - 52:20]: Go back and play a sport right now. 

Mike Ham [52:20 - 52:22]: And it's. The commodity is amazing when you see it. 

Speaker A [52:22 - 52:24]: You know, there was a couple of. 

Mike Ham [52:24 - 52:32]: The kids, they were putting out confetti, getting up there with their glasses on and just celebrating, just doing really amazing things. 

Speaker A [52:32 - 52:38]: And I actually get a really big kick of looking at the highlight reels. So my favorite one is save. When I played hockey, I used to. 

Mike Ham [52:38 - 52:41]: Do a little goalie, so I was. 

Speaker A [52:41 - 52:43]: Never talented enough to be a soccer athlete. 

Mike Ham [52:43 - 52:44]: That was where for my other friends. 

Speaker A [52:45 - 52:46]: So I always get a big kick. 

Mike Ham [52:46 - 52:48]: Of looking at save of the year. So I always look to that video. 

Speaker D [52:48 - 52:51]: And it really just really gets me. 

Mike Ham [52:51 - 52:52]: Pumped up to be a part of this program. 

Speaker A [52:52 - 52:53]: And I look forward to it. 

Mike Ham [52:53 - 52:54]: That's awesome. 

Speaker A [52:54 - 53:15]: I will also. I'll just add. So my husband played soccer growing up in New Jersey in Berkeley Heights. And there was a team from Berkeley Heights who won, and they were honored out there. He went bananas when he saw them. It was like. Like, our table was like, what happened? Is everything okay? And it was so. It was really fun. Like, he was like, this didn't exist when I was growing up. 

Mike Ham [53:15 - 53:15]: Yeah. 

Speaker C [53:15 - 53:19]: I just want to go on record, I. They are both all your husband. We're invited to the red carpet. 

Mike Ham [53:19 - 53:22]: You guys got your interviews, tell your stories. 

Speaker C [53:22 - 53:23]: It's all there for you. 

Mike Ham [53:23 - 53:26]: Guys. Yeah. Just I don't want to feel like they got cheated out of. 

Speaker C [53:26 - 53:27]: So I'll bring them over. 

Mike Ham [53:27 - 53:40]: Let's do it. Totally. Well, thank you all for, I know, a busy night, a lot of stuff going on, but thank you, all three of you, for joining us on the show and giving us some of your time. And, Evan, thank you for having us. And congratulations on a great evening. 

Speaker C [53:40 - 53:41]: Thanks so much. 

Mike Ham [53:41 - 53:51]: Thanks so much. For sure. So this has been the Greetings from the Garden State podcast, powered by the New Jersey Lottery. I'm Mike Hamm. Thanks for listening to this great episode today. And we'll catch you next. 

Speaker I [53:55 - 53:59]: You do all my baby, do you. 

Speaker J [53:59 - 54:00]: All right. 

Speaker A [54:01 - 54:07]: Oh, tell me before you go all the way? Do you all.