About WSSL
In Honor of...
WSSL Mourns the Passing of Devoted Coach Larry Toporek
Eulogy for Larry Toporek
1/3/08
From Division Head Bob Brashear
I am privileged to be here today as head of the 192 Division of Westside (AYSO) Soccer League representing the hundreds who knew Larry through the game of soccer.
I knew Larry only on the soccer field. That's a beautiful thing about soccer relationships: we know each other as coaches, volunteers, parents, fathers... but often know little else about the rest of our lives even after years. What I knew about Larry was that he was a great coach. Over many years, my team's games against Larry's were some of my favorite soccer experiences. I knew that his team would always be well prepared, disciplined and highly competitive. His teams always knew that the game was always most fun if you gave everything you had for the game... Not win at all cost, but play with all you have. Not every coach I've encountered understands that difference. The teams that Larry coached always understood the value of team and every player regardless of skill level was able to feel that they had a valuable role to play and thus became better than they might have been. More than the teams, what Larry created was a community -- of parents, players, coaches -- who cared about each other and wanted the best for each other and brought out the best in each other. What he created was some of the best that Westside AYSO Soccer can be. Last fall, before a game, I ran into Larry on the sideline. I took the time to say to him that I truly admired and respected what he had accomplished as a coach, that he had left a real legacy. I'm glad I had the opportunity to say that. Today that legacy is not only alive in players and parents who love Westside Soccer but also on travel teams and high school varsity teams across the city. In years to come, many of those players will be the new generation of volunteer coaches passing on what they have learned to a new generation of young players. That's a pretty good legacy to leave... and a beautiful way for his spirit to carry on... I'm happy to have known him and to have played against him and to have seen his joy on the field. May we all remember that.
Annual Volunteer Celebration!
In January 2007, WSSL held its first-ever volunteer celebration event. Hosted by its community partner, Manhattan Media, the event gave volunteers a chance to meet off the field, to share stories and to celebrate all the great soccer that we have been able to deliver.
WSSL will host its Annual Volunteer Celebrations at the end of every Fall season.