By Nick Buglione
That's because in the 10 years Stan Ruppenthal headed up the league he did extraordinary things--increasing membership, expanding training programs, and developing the annual American Ref-Fuel Tournament into the state's largest soccer competition, among many other things.
In recognition of his efforts, Ruppenthal was inducted into the Long Island Junior Soccer League Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the Hilton Long Island in Melville Friday, March 11.
"He has done such an incredible job over the years," said Schwartz, who penned the letter to the league requesting Ruppenthal be considered for the hall. "He didn't just sit back. He was an active participant."
Married with two children, Ruppenthal, 51, got involved with the East Meadow Soccer Club when he signed his son up in 1990. "They needed coaches, so I volunteered," he said, though he progressively became more involved in club operations, joining its board of directors two years later. "I thought we could make changes and do things a lot better. It becomes a situation where you really want to see the club progress. It's your baby."
In 1994, Ruppenthal ran for club president and won. His 10-year tenure is regarded by many as the soccer league's renaissance.
Though already sizable when he became head, the club now boasts roughly 300 more kids, about 1,400 in total, making it one of the largest on Long Island. It also now features a Striker Division for 3- and 4-year-olds. "We had previously only started soccer teams at age 5," Ruppenthal said.
Thanks to his expansion of training programs, which include professional instruction, the club's talent level has skyrocketed. In 2001, a team from the league won the state championship, a first for the then 30-year-old organization. Since that year, three more teams have won the state crown.
Ruppenthal was also the driving force behind the Field of Dreams on Salisbury Park Drive, two soccer fields carved out of an old sump that are considered to be the best on Long Island. They opened in 2000, after a four-year effort to rally support and funding for the project.
"That was his vision," Schwartz said. "Without his vision and persistence, those fields would have never happened."
The vast growth and success of the American Ref-Fuel Tournament, which every August brings over 400 teams, some from as far away as Bermuda and Canada, and nearly 14,000 spectators to East Meadow, is by far Ruppenthal's crowning achievement.
"No one expected the Ref-Fuel tournament would be what it is today," said Ruppenthal, who's quick to point out that it's been a team effort. "It's been a lot of hard work and you can't do it by yourself."
Over 25 years ago, the tournament was much different. It featured no more than 30 teams from the area and was simply billed as the East Meadow tournament.
Every year since its inception, however, the tournament began to take shape and pick up steam. Its reputation of sporting superb fields, great officiating and fair and competitive matches started getting around.
About a decade ago, American Ref-Fuel, a waste-to-energy company, jumped on as sponsor, helping to considerably defray the tournament's mounting costs in trophies, referee expenses and equipment as it gained popularity.
With the dawn of the Internet, the tournament hit the web and began piquing the interest of teams from other states and countries. The games are played throughout East Meadow and other locations on Long Island, including the Plainview Soccer Park, the Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale and the Bethpage State Park Polo Fields.
Stepping down as president in 2004, Ruppenthal has mixed feelings about his departure. "On one side of the coin you say, 'I'd still like to be involved,'" he said. "On the other side of the coin, I'm home a lot more and my wife sees me a lot more."
Still, Ruppenthal will remain an active part of the league and will continue to manage its Web site, which was launched in 1995 and is the first of any Long Island soccer club.
The former president learned the board of directors nominated him for the Long Island Junior Soccer League Hall of Fame at a holiday party in December.
"I was shocked," said Ruppenthal, who is only the second person from the East Meadow Soccer Club to get into the hall. "I think it's phenomenal. I'm thrilled."
Started in 1978, the Hall of Fame honors soccer club members who have volunteered at least 10 years and have exceptional service in the promotion of youth soccer.
Ruppenthal is very deserving of the veneration, said Joan Czach, executive director of the Long Island Junior Soccer League. "He's very dedicated," she said. "I'm sure he's spent countless hours over the years to benefit the children of his club."
Comments about this story? NBuglione@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
