SABR volunteers serve the community

By Gary Curreri

From TOPSoccer to training SABR’s youngest players, local students and adults alike enjoy servicing the community.

While TOPSoccer is SABR’s leading program that awards High School, Community Service hours with more than 150 buddies each season, some other student-athletes and adults provide everything from guidance and instruction to high-fives following success on the field in the other programs.

Layan Reed, 18, has volunteered for the past two years with the SABR Under 5 and Under 6 year-olds. Reed started playing in the SABR recreational program at age 4 and then began playing with Team Boca when she was 8.

“I used to play SABR when I was little and wanted to be a coach when I was older because I thought it was very cool,” Reed said. “My dad knew SABR’s Trainer Coordinator, Santiago Agostinelli, and told me about the training, and I thought it couldn’t be that bad since I know how to play soccer.”

Reed said it is very helpful because it makes you socialize more with people.

“I like teaching the kids because it’s nice to know that I can pass on my knowledge to the younger generation,” said the Boca Raton High School senior. “It also creates a good cycle and a great way to start my Saturday. I would say that it is gratifying because it’s nice to know I can help the little ones have fun with their Saturday.”

Alessandro Tufano volunteered for two seasons with the Under 5&6’s. He needed service hours in his junior year while at Boca Raton High School and stepped up because the sport gave him so much while he was growing up.

“This interested me because I love soccer and played for a long time, so it sounded fun,” said Tufano, 18, now a freshman at the University of Florida. He stopped playing SABR in his sophomore year when he started volunteering. “It was very fun and gratifying. I got to play the sport I love, and I got to meet new people and interact.

“It is also nice to know that I am playing a role in getting a new generation interested in the sport which has done so much for so many people,” he continued. “The eagerness that they had to play the game and the infectious energy that they brought with them are fairly unique at that age and reminds me of when I played when I was that age.”

Typically, there are between 40 and 50 trainers that work with Agostinelli under the guidance of SABR Director of Coaching Carrie Barker.

Giving to SABR TOPSoccer leads to always giving back

 The SABR TOPSoccer volunteers range from the buddies who receive community service hours, to the coaches who may or may not have a player in the program, and the administrators who make sure everything runs smoothly.

“Even though the buddies are motivated by the service hours, it is evident that the majority look forward to assisting the players each week,” said SABR TOPSoccer Administrator Suzi Vogelgesang. “Their enthusiasm as well as their attendance records reflect their commitment to giving their time and energy to help the program be successful.”

Vogelgesang got her start with the program in 2006 when she began assisting with purchasing uniforms. She became the administrator not long after that.

“Since our family has been fortunate in so many ways, it is important to share our time, talent, and energy by giving back to not just TOPSoccer but to the community as a whole,” Vogelgesang added. “Having the ability to reach out to soccer players who may need assistance learning the game, creating friendships, and gaining independence is all part of the volunteer experience. The circumstances of how we were introduced to the special needs community are not as important as the fact that we have been able to be there to assist in whatever way is needed.”

Andy Chansen has volunteered for more than 25 seasons as a SABR recreational soccer coach.

Vogelgesang said Chansen recruited her to coach which morphed into her involvement as a Division Rep, Purchasing Director on the SABR board, and now TOPSoccer Administrator.

According to Vogelgesang, Chansen coached his daughter, Julia, who is now in her 40’s. He then coached Vogelgesang’s daughter from the second grade through her senior year at Boca High.

“After that, he coached a friend of ours two years and another player a couple of years,” Vogelgesang said. “Now he’s 78 and is coaching GU19 girls. He’s interested in teaching them the game, letting them have fun, and in creating a sense of being a team.”

This will be Suzie Wrenne’s 20th year volunteering with SABR TOPSoccer. She got her start when her daughter Ashley signed up to be a volunteer buddy when she was in high school.

“In addition to buddies for every player, the organization needed coaches, so I decided to jump in and help,” Wrenne said. “The players touched my heart to the point I just had to continue returning year after year. The parents we meet are awesome and it’s an honor to spend time with their kiddos.

“I’ve always been one to say, it takes a village to raise a child, and this organization is filled with caring, compassionate individuals which makes this a fantastic organization/village to be a part of,” Wrenne added. “To see the growth and development in the players each new year brings me great joy. My passion is helping the little children accomplish new challenges.”

Wrenne works with the “littlest ones” in the league.

“Although we may not successfully play a full game of soccer, we work hard on drills to help develop eye-hand coordination, obstacle training, scoring goals, and having fun.” Wrenne continued. “I am extremely blessed to be a part of this fantastic organization. Volunteering and giving back has shaped me to become a more caring person and quite honestly, a better person.”

Genie Butrym started volunteering with TOP Soccer in 2006 and has coached with Wrenne the entire time.

“Lin (Hurley) – who had been with TOPSoccer since it began – joined Suzie Wrenn and me,” Butrym said. “I love working with the youngest group 5-7 year olds. It is rewarding to see them kick the ball and ‘make a goal.’ They get so excited. Everyone scores. I feel it gives the parents a chance to see their children take part in a ‘somewhat normal’ activity. I’m making it happen through the giving of my time.”

Hurley has worked with special needs athletes through the years and was honored as the National U.S. Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Coach of the Year at US Youth Soccer’s 2023 awards event, “The Ball,” formerly known as the Awards Gala.

“I truly never expected this award,” said Hurley, who started working with the special needs community back in 1966 when she was in high school pairing with a little girl at an institution in Miami in her service club. She has continued to do so for the last 58 years through teaching and the past 31 years volunteering with various programs.

“I was overwhelmed,” Hurley said after receiving the award. “Tears of joy flowed when I read the announcement. “We have so many dedicated volunteers and coaches in our SABR TOP program. I was just one of many in our program and across the country.”

Vogelgesang said the trio of women have coached together for many years.

“They have the youngest players and make such an impression that many of the players continue on to the older teams for many years,” Vogelgesang concluded. “They make the Game Days fun even when attention spans wane! Not to mention they bring treats for all of the players to enjoy.”

Vogelgesang said ever since SABR founded TOPSoccer in 2000, the club has been unwavering in its support.

“Whether it is through the expertise of the Board members or its annual commitment of financial support,” she added, “we know that we are part of a dedicated group who ‘have our back.’”

For more information on how to volunteer, send an email to sabrinfo@sabrsoccer.net.