Generations of soccer families, players and coaches were in attendance for the annual celebration of a Southold soccer tradition on Saturday.
"Soccer has always been king in Southold" according to athletic director Joe Braico, since the 1950s when the program was started by Dick Osmer — after whom the field is named. Mr. Braico said that Southold is "second to none in the state" with the record for most state championships of any team on Long Island as well as the most Suffolk County championships.
This year's event also celebrated Coach Sadowski and his 200 victories. The coach was praised by many including New York State Assemblyman Daniel Losquadro. Losquadro used a Latin phrase to express his appreciation for coaches and teachers such as Mr. Sadowski, "in loco parentis," for those trusted to care for the youth in place of the parent.
Coach Sadowski accepted the praise briefly but was more excited about his overtime 3-2 varsity double overtime win against Pierson as well as keeping the ball rolling with the annual alumni game. He announced with a smile, "it's time to watch these old guys play!"
The "old guys" according to returning alumni coach Bob Feger, were actually the team he coached against Coach Sadowski's younger generation of alumni players.
The Athletic Association hopes to increase alumni events with the startup of an Alumni Association. President Paulette Ofrias said that alumni can express their interest in future gatherings by emailing southoldalumni@aol.com.
