RYSA
Youth Soccer in Rochester Minnesota and Surrounding Communities

A Brief History of Youth Soccer in Rochester

Rochester Youth Soccer Association is a non-profit organization supporting and promoting the game of soccer for youth in Rochester, MN and the surrounding communities. We promote good sportsmanship and participation of youth in organized soccer that is fun, healthy, and educational. We strive to provide athletic development and training at all levels of talent and desire.

Fun, participation, skill development, and volunteerism are our basic tenents.

1970-72 Faud Mansour demonstrates soccer at elementary schools.
1973-74 Ken Johannson, Youth Hockey Director, asks Fuad Mansour to teach soccer to hockey players in off-season. Sixty players participate.
1975 Rochester Youth Soccer Association formed by Faud Mansour with the encouragement of Ken Johannson and Roger Lowe of the Rochester Park and Recreation Department. Over 160 players played at Rochester Vo-Tech.
1977 Over 650 children play soccer in RYSA's 3rd season.
1979 Over 1200 children play soccer in RYSA's 5th season.
1982 RYSA has 98 teams and over 1600 players. U12 Lancers become first RYSA traveling team to win State Championship. RYSA hosts its first traveling team tournament. Sixteen teams participate.
1983 U10 age group is divided into U8 and U10 age groups. U14 Arrows win Minneapolis Indoor Soccer Championship.
1984 RYSA reorganizes and forms Traveling Committee
1986 Rochester has 109 youth soccer teams.
1990 Rochester has 123 youth soccer teams. Rochester hosts the Star of the North Games.
1991 RYSA begins using new soccer fields at Zumbro Park in SW Rochester for Saturday games.
1992 Rochester has over 150 teams. Rochester host Junior Olympics.
1993 RYSA begins using the new Watson Sports Complex soccer fields in NW Rochester for Saturday games.
1994 Over 2000 children register for soccer. Rochester hosts Star of the North Games.
1995 RYSA celebrated their 20th year. Over 3000 children registered for soccer.
1996 The first grade teams play small sided games (4V4).
First annual $1000 Fuad Mansour college scholarship presented to two high school seniors who volunteers in soccer and community.
1997 RYSA is reorganized and forms an Executive Committee with a Recreational Committee, Traveling Committee and Tournament Committee. Recreational League is named Zumbro Valley Recreational Soccer with Byron, Eyota, Kasson-Mantorville, Plainview-Elgin, and Rochester participating. Second Grade teams play small sided games (5V5).
1998 Over 4000 children register for soccer, including over 650 traveling soccer players. RYSA has 42 Traveling teams and 240 Recreational teams. Wabasha joins the Zumbro Valley Recreational Soccer League.
2000 RYSA begins a winter Indoor Soccer program with 80 particpants.
2001 RYSA began using Fuad Mansour soccer complex near UCR campus in SE Rochester.
2002 RYSA Spring Recreation league expanded to include high school ages.
RYSA hosted Memorial Day Tournament, Fall Harvest Fest Tournament, and District Tournaments.
2003 RYSA hired a full-time Director of Coaching, Neil Cassidy and a full-time Director of Operations, Diane Tlougan.
RYSA built permanent storage equipment storage and shelters at Fuad Mansour and Watson soccer complexes.
RYSA added Fall Recreation soccer, with over 700 players the first season.
RYSA started winter Indoor Select Academy and Center for Technical Development involving more than 100 youth.
2004 Neil Cassidy hosts E and D certificate and Y coaching classes in Rochester. RYSA has over 100 volunteer coaches with coaching certificates.
RYSA has over 6000 youth in programs. 3500 Spring Recreation players (318 teams), 750 Spring Traveling players (48 teams), 1000 Fall Recreation players, 340 Fall Traveling players, and 500 Winter Indoor Players.
Neil Cassidy led summer camps for players (taught by high school and college players) and worked with Elementary School Physical Education Teachers to incorporate soccer into the curriculum.
RYSA hosted 1st Rochesterfest Tournament with 130 teams.
Player registration for 2005 season completed on-line using Best Leagues program.