Rockville Centre's Skelos complex south field dedicated to soccer coach

The Rockville Centre Soccer Club dedicated the south field at the Skelos Sports Complex in honor of Peter Bralower, one of the club’s original volunteers and a former president for 10 years.

Patti O’Dea Leboff wrote to Rockville Centre Mayor Francis Murray in April explaining the club’s request for the dedication of the field. According to Leboff’s letter, the north field at the complex is named in memory of lacrosse star John Darcy, while the central softball field is dedicated to Bob Klein for his charitable work with the Rockville Centre Little League.

“[Bralower] instilled a love of the game in countless players, since 1971,” Leboff wrote. “He brought cutting edge programs to our club, which continue to this day in an effort to develop our players’ skill level and will help generations to come embrace the world’s game.”

Bralower initiated the program “Kids Teaching Kids,” in which the older players teach the younger players soccer skills and tactics for no charge and was also influential in bringing the TOPS soccer program to the club for children with special needs.

Leboff said that it is a testament to Bralower’s influence that the annual alumni game draws dozens of his former players each year to participate in the friendly match.

“Peter has given his heart to the RVCSC; countless volunteer hours, advice to players about college selections and playing on a collegiate level,” Leboff said. “He is well respected and highly regarded within our club and the soccer community on Long Island and beyond.”

Leboff requested that the dedication take place at the annual alumni game on the Saturday of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, and the mayor obliged.