Photo courtesy of the Long Island Soccer Football League
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
April 20, 2020-Along with his many friends in the local soccer community, the
Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is mourning the loss of Gus Xikis,
Long Island Soccer Football League (LISFL) President since 2011. The Wantagh resident died on April 15 at the age of 66 after an aneurysm in March.
“Gus Xikis was one of the all-time good guys in New York soccer,” ENYYSA President Richard Christiano stated. “I worked with him for many decades and he made an easy transition from his success in volunteering with the youth to bringing the LISFL to new heights.”
Born in Náfpaktos, Greece, Gus emigrated with his family to the United States and settled in Queens. He graduated from Thomas A. Edison High School and studied at Queensborough Community College.
Although known for his administrative work with the adults, Gus cut his teeth with local youth soccer. He coached in Eastern New York’s
Olympic Development Program (ODP) plus with
Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Select teams from 1999 to 2003.
He did not forget about the youth upon becoming LISFL President. Gus manned the LISFL booth every year at the LIJSL Convention to encourage those who have aged out of youth soccer to graduate to the LISFL. 60% of the LISFL grew up playing in youth leagues such as the LIJSL,
Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL),
Big Apple Youth Soccer League and
Metrokids Interregional Youth Soccer League.
Besides being one of the longest serving LISFL Presidents, he also was second vice president of Eastern New York State Soccer Association plus registrar and cup chairman as well. All this wonderful volunteering led Gus to being inducted into three Halls of Fame: US Adult Soccer Association, LISFL and Eastern New York.
Additionally, he served as assistant coach of the Suffolk Community College men, General Manager and assistant coach of the New York Magic (W-League), Director of Operations and Marketing of the Westchester Flames (Premier Development League, now USL League 2) plus Region 1 National Cups commissioner.
Gus was just not limited to soccer as he also coached teams in Levittown/Wantagh Baseball, helping one squad win a championship.
After working at Varig Airlines for seven years, Gus decided to go into business for himself in 1979, manufacturing cabinets and furniture until his passing.
With approximately 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with nine leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.