What is the history of the Erie Youth Soccer Association?
The Erie Youth Soccer Association began in 1974. It was founded by a group of 7 fathers looking for a soccer experience for their children. Jerry Gould, Jim Faulkner, Walt Horner, John Kane, Herb Lauffer, Ken Ledbury and Rick Santos began the organization with Sunday games on the grounds of Behrend College. The inaugural season had 167 soccer players on 12 teams, ranging in age from 6 to 17. The second season saw a doubling of participants. This required the addition of Saturday games at Behrend. The organization continued to grow over the years to a high of 4000 players in the mid 1980s. In the early 1980s the organization branched into various geographic areas through-out Erie County. The initial EYSA areas were Fairview/Girard, West Millcreek, East Millcreek, East Erie and North Central Erie. In 1989 Greene Township and North East Township were added. 1990 saw the addition of Waterford and Summit Townships. Edinboro and McKean came on board in 1994. Also added in 1994 were the 5 yea
