VIP AYSO:
Back in 1998, three very good people in our soccer program approached me. We had come back from the 1998 Tri-Sectional Meeting in San Diego. They had heard of a program called VIP, which means "Very Important People."
Those board members were Robert and Lorie Valdivia (Robert was the Coach Administrator) and Lou Vigorita, Safety Director. They asked me if they could look into starting our own VIP Program. I said, "What are you waiting for, let’s do it."
They went and got all the information they could find from National and Local Regions that had their own VIP Program. We got Board approval in June 1998. Immediately, Robert, Lorie and Lou went out to sign up kids for VIP. They signed up 27 physically and mentally challenged kids and turned them into soccer kids. It’s really something to watch these kids, who once could only watch from the touchlines, now play soccer.
Also, I need to mention one other person that wanted to help. Greg Nicely was our Head Referee for the VIP Division that year.
Since then, those board members have moved on to other obligations. This year, Robert has come back to coach AYSO Soccer for U16-U19 Girls Program. In 1999, Salome Diaz took over the VIP Program. With the support of AYSO and the Regional Board, Salome has continued to be the Divisional Director for VIP since then. Salome continues to do a "Great Job" for us. And she’s having "Fun" doing it.
In this time of 9-11, if anybody wants a reality check, come and participate and see a VIP game at Huntsinger Park on Saturdays. It brings happy tears to my eyes to watch these kids play.
2001
Mike Hurd
Regional Commissioner
From 1998-1999
