By Scott Brinton
Before him was a big plastic binder full of documents that he was running through quickly.
Time was of the essence for Epstein. A little more than seven weeks remained before the East Meadow Soccer Tournament, sponsored by Covanta and hosted by the East Meadow Soccer Club. Epstein, the tournament's director and the club's executive vice president, was hurrying to nail down playing fields.
The East Meadow club takes in children from throughout the Merricks and Bellmores. Organizing a tournament on the order of East Meadow's is no easy task. Epstein's all-volunteer organizing committee of 20 has worked for nearly a year to prepare for this year's contest, to be held Aug. 23 to 25. Some 450 teams are expected to take part in the tournament, which is the Northeast's largest, Epstein said. More than 7,300 young people, from elementary children to high school students, will attend, along with an estimated 20,000 spectators. The tournament will be played on 57 fields at 17 sites throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Eric Schwartz of Westbury, president of the East Meadow Soccer Club, said, "It's a massive undertaking. Year after year, we try to improve."
Epstein said teams come from throughout the tri-state region and, at times, have traveled from as far as Canada for the tournament. "It's a great way to prepare for the fall soccer season, and historically, it's been used for that purpose," he said.
Epstein said his committee goes to great lengths to ensure that teams are placed in the right skill divisions so that games are truly competitive. The tournament features seven divisions, from beginner to elite.
Bill Walsh, the tournament's former director, said, "We have a place for everyone to play," regardless of skill level.
Schwartz added, "Our emphasis has always been on making sure that the kids have fun."
Walsh said teams appreciate the quality of the fields that the East Meadow club selects for the competition. At the same time, he said, dozens of volunteers take pains to make sure the tournament runs on time.
Schwartz said, "This wouldn't be at all possible if not for the volunteers." In particular, he cited the work of Epstein, Stan Ruppenthal, Rick Marks and Rick Flanagan. Ruppenthal has put so much time into the East Meadow club that it named a $500 scholarship in his honor, called the Stan Ruppenthal Spirit of Volunteerism Scholarship. It is awarded annually to an East Meadow player who does an exceptional amount of community service.
Epstein, the father of two daughters, both of whom play for the East Meadow club, takes the month of August off from his law practice to prepare for the tournament. He believes organized sports are a way to offer children structure and security, keeping them away from the world of crime that he sees as a defense attorney.
The Covanta tournament serves as a fund-raiser to help defray training expenses for East Meadow Soccer Club travel teams. The club is still registering squads for the tournament. Go to www.covanta-tournament.com to sign one up.
Comments about this story? Sbrinton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 203.
