SAL RAPAGLIA
Born in Sicily, Italy, Rapaglia emigrated to the U.S. at the age of 15. He played with the famed Brooklyn Italians (then known as Palermo SC), before moving up the ladder as a coach and then as President of the Italian-American Soccer League. He stepped down from that post in 1979 to become President of the Eastern New York State Soccer Association. Except for a two-year term as the ENYSSA General Secretary, Rapaglia has held that position for 44 years.
Under Rapaglia's direction, the state association developed Offerman Park in Brooklyn, N.Y. into the 10-field Verrazano Narrows Complex. With a new wave of immigrants entering the country in the 1980s and 1990s, Rapaglia and Eastern New York welcomed Hispanic and Latino teams and leagues to create a more diverse state association. Rapaglia and ENYSSA also expanded the number of women's leagues in its membership. He also found time to create and be commissioner of the Northeast Super Soccer League.
Rapaglia, who has served on several Federation committees, was honored with the prestigious Werner Fricker Builder's Award in 2006, the highest award that the Federation itself can bestow upon an individual. He is also a member of the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame.
