Visit the official website of the 2014 NYC Soccer Gala, www.nycsoccergala.com, for more information on the event, member schools and honorees.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Former LIU Brooklyn men's soccer student-athlete and head coach Dr. Joseph Machnik will be one of seven honorees at the second annual New York City Soccer Gala, to be held March 5, 2014 at the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan.
"We are delighted to once again participate in the 2nd Annual NYC Soccer Gala," said current LIU Brooklyn head men's soccer coach T.J. Kostecky. "This event recognizes the past and present giants of soccer and their contributions to the rich history of the game in New York City. We are honored to celebrate the contributions of Dr. Joe Machnik, who is a member of our Athletics Hall of Fame."
Machnik began his career at LIU in 1961 as one of the nation's top goalkeepers. In 1962, he was named a National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-American. He went on to become head coach of the program from 1966-68 and guided the Blackbirds to an impressive 37-8-2 mark.
In addition to two Metropolitan Conference titles, Machnik led the Blackbirds to the NCAA championship game in 1966, and the semifinal match in 1967. Machnik was inducted into the LIU Brooklyn Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001.
In 1990, Machnik was named as the head goalkeeper coach of that year's United States World Cup Team. He also served as the vice president of Major League Soccer, and has worked as an official since the league's inception.
The New York City Soccer Gala, hosted by St. John's University, will also honor Mike Petke of the New York Red Bulls, Shep Messing of the New York Cosmos and Ben Boehm of the Gottschee Soccer Club. Other university honorees include George Gjokaj of St. John's, Mark Lugris of Fordham and Joseph Barone of St. Francis Brooklyn.
The event was started to honor the past and present of New York City soccer while celebrating great traditions. The Gala will highlight collegiate and professional soccer while also recognizing youth and amateur coaches who have inspired others to succeed. Founding members include LIU Brooklyn, St. John's, St. Francis Brooklyn, Fordham and Manhattan.
"Last year's inaugural event was a sellout. And we look forward to another exciting evening celebrating New York City soccer," said Kostecky.
The event begins with a 6:00 p.m. cocktail hour and is followed by a 7:00 p.m. dinner and program of events. Tickets are priced at $200 per person, while a table can be reserved for $1,900. For more information or to RSVP, contact Paul Sclafani at 718-990-5539 or sclafanp@stjohns.edu.