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Megan Nugent, Irish National Team Player Will Join New York
By Pat Grecco
My introduction to Megan Nugent began with a phone call from Steve Marcus, who lives in Manhattan and was referred to me by Susan Hayes, (Susan and Steve are colleagues at work) a true Soccer Mom who lives in the Long Island community. Steve told me that he and his wife Tedda were family friends of the Nugents. We spoke about Megan and I agreed to help with her college search, with a view to playing Soccer at the collegiate level, securing a financial package composed of merit and athletic scholarship money; that was in June 2007.
 Megan, wearing black stripes
A month ago, Megan and her Mom, Maria came to the United States, I actually got to meet them up close and personal at the home of Steve and Tedda. I immediately knew she had a genuine love of the game; her enthusiasm radiated. When we first met through the Internet she wrote me and said:
"I began playing Soccer at age six when living in the United States and I immediately fell in love with the game. After moving back to Ireland in 1999, I began playing for a local boys' team, as there were no girls' team for my age."
Megan advanced to the highest level of play in her country, that being the Irish National Team.
 Left to right: Tedda, Maria Nugent,
I would like to thank Paul Riley and the Albertson S.C for taking Megan to a few tournaments as a guest player; also to Susan Hayes for her recommendation of my services and especially to Steve Marcus (Mr. In-between) who became the go-to-guy and the link between the U.S. and Ireland.
I'm looking forward to seeing Megan play and meeting with her and her Mom again this Summer.
Grecco to Provide College Guidance for Local High School Athletes
Oneonta, NY— Pat Grecco, Director of Scholarship Programs for the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), who has provided college guidelines and counseling to thousands of Long Island area high school student-athletes, will provide insights into the college application and recruiting process at the National Soccer Hall of Fame on Saturday evening, July 14, 2007 at 7:00 PM. The program is open to the public for a $10 admission fee. The fee includes a planning book that will serve as a continuing guide to the recruiting process.
Grecco is an acknowledged expert in the field and brings decades of experience. She will provide participants with printed materials to serve as reminders of her guide points and to assist participants well beyond their attendance at the college guidance session. "It's a great service to college coaches," Oneonta State Athletic Director Tracey Ranieri said. "I had several players who were advised by Pat when they were in high school. They were terrific to recruit because they knew a great deal about what they wanted in a college and in a Soccer Program; the process was highlighted and enjoyable due to their perceptive questions."
"Pat has given this session every year on Long Island and I observed it last year," Hall of Fame Manager of Events Pamela Frutiger said. "Her presentation is excellent. I encourage every parent who has a high school student-athlete who intends to play any sport at the college level to be in the audience. She offers very practical advice which can help you save money and time as you search among the hundreds of college choices that are available to today's young person."
Grecco Scores Scholarships for the LIJSL Latino Team
In the Spring of 2006, Pat Grecco, the Long Island Junior Soccer League Scholarship Committee Chairperson, was watching a completely Latino LIJSL team, the Sag Harbor Jaguars, play at the Peter Collins Soccer Park in Plainview, L.I.
Most of the Jaguars were born in 1989 in Colombia. All spoke Spanish fluently and English at different levels. They are the children of blue-collar workers employed by upper class Hamptons residents.
Pat Grecco gives an on-the-spot
After the match, all the Jaguars approached Grecco, an East Northport, L.I. resident, and introduced themselves. Grecco had the idea to help these kids earn scholarships to college.
So she organized a College Workshop in Spanish at the LIJSL convention in Melville, L.I. last March.
"Special thanks to LIJSL President Addie Mattei-Iaia who offered to send a van to pick up the team out in East Hampton and the league for funding this event," Grecco said.
New York Maritime men's coach Rocco Morelli and SUNY-Old Westbury men's coach Jason Warshaw spoke in Spanish to the Jaguars and their parents about college entrance requirements and the admission process, scholarships, college life and College Soccer.
With half the team graduating from high school this past June, Grecco was able to secure Soccer Scholarships for three players.
But that leaves seven Jaguars, all now high school seniors, with no place to play since half their LIJSL teammates have graduated.
"I want a LIJSL coach and team to reach out to these boys so that they can find a team to be able to continue to play Club Soccer," Grecco said.
"Secondly, I would like other Latino kids to know that you can play College Soccer on scholarship and the LIJSL can help you to do so."
Hayes Tabbed for
ENY Hall Of Fame Inducts
Fantastic Four: Grecco, Rodriguez, Friedman, Turchi
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