RYS STAFF COACHING BIOGRAPHIES
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Abe Chehebar, Trainer
Teams: Boys 2015 Raiders, Girls 2012 Stars, Girls 2014 Falcons Abe is a native of Ossining and former collegiate standout at both UConn and Fordham. Abe is a well-respected youth coach at several clubs in Westchester and has been a member of the RYS staff for more than five years. His quality as a player, demeanor as a coach, and technical acumen make him an outstanding trainer for players of all ages and abilities. |
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Adrian Ciocoiu, Trainer
Teams: Boys 2010 Gunners, Boys 2009 Red Dragons Since becoming the assistant boys’ varsity soccer coach at Rye HS in 2003, Adrian has held multiple roles in the Rye community—head JV coach at both Rye and Rye Neck, assistant Varsity track and field coach at Rye, and Rye City School District food services employee. As a youth soccer coach, Adrian has earned respect from players and families for his tireless commitment to his players. Adrian’s passion for the sport is also on display in his long-time commitment to organizing adult soccer for countless Rye residents and RYS parents. |
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Mike Konicoff, Trainer
Teams: N/A in Fall 2023 A two-time all-America during high school, Mike also earned New York State Player of the Year as a senior at Suffern High School in 2004. During his high school years, Mike was a member of both the U16 and U18 US National teams. As the 9th ranked player on ESPN's list of Class of 2005 prospects, he went on to enjoy a standout career at Boston College, where he captained the Eagles during his senior season. Mike and his family live in Rye. Away from the field, Mike works full-time as an attorney. |
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Elver Maldonado, Trainer
Teams: Boys 2014 Gators, Girls 2014 Eagles Elver is a former standout player at Mamaroneck High School who went on to have a successful four-year career at Plattsburgh State. After starting all 19 matches and earning all-SUNYAC tournament honors as a senior, Elver began his professional playing career in Central America before returning to the Westchester area. Elver joined RYS in September 2019 and has proven to be one of the club’s most beloved coaches |
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Rich Savage, Director of Parent Coaching
Teams: Rye HS Girls Varsity, Girls 2013 Eagles Rich's primary role is to focus on the well-being of the club's players--from the beginning intramural player to the highest-level travel player. In addition, Rich mentors volunteer parent coaches and managers to ensure that parents feel supported in, and prepared for, their roles. Rich is a lifelong resident of Rye and highly decorated coach, whose most recent coaching feat was leading the Rye Garnets girls team to the 2023 state title! In addition to leading the Rye HS Girls' varsity team to countless championship matches (including the 2021 Section 1 Class "A" co-championship, 2020 Southern Westchester Large School Title, two appearances in the NY State Finals, and two State Championship), Rich has coached dozens of high school all-Americans, college all-Americans, and professional players. His compassion, kindness, and experience as a parent and coach in Rye are invaluable for our players and parents. |
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Andrew Schuck, Trainer
Teams: Intramural Program (Saturdays) Andrew is a veteran coach at RYS whose passion for the game, kindness, and patience make him an ideal leader for our youngest age groups. A former Pelham HS soccer player, Andrew has a B.A. from NYU’s Steinhard School of Education and an M.A. from Hunter College. In his role with RYS, Andrew runs our Saturday morning Intramural program for U6 and U7 players. He also works closely with Chris Skelton to develop and monitor our curricula for our U6 and U7 players and coaches. Away from the field, Andrew is an AP Language Teacher and Department Coordinator at Manhattan Hunter Science HS. |
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Chris Skelton, Director of Coaching, Head of Boys' Travel
Teams: Boys 2015 Bandits, 2014 Tigers, Boys 2013 Arsenal, Boys 2012 Liverpool, Boys 2010 Hotspurs Chris is both a beloved coach and a mentor to RYS staff coaches. As Director of Curriculum, Chris is primarily focused on helping the staff coaches improve the quality of their training plans, curricula, and on-field coaching. Chris has developed a sterling reputation for his passionate, purposeful, and skills-based approach to coaching children. He uses his remarkable energy and passion to also lead the Winter Indoor Soccer Enrichment (WISE) programs. |
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Jared Small, Executive Director
Teams: Rye HS Boys Varsity Jared's primary role is to manage the club's intramural, pre-travel, travel, and enrichment and camp programs. Jared's passion for Rye Soccer and attention to detail helped him lead the Rye HS Boys' Varsity soccer team to five of its best seasons in over 35 years between 2018 and 2023--including a #1 state ranking and appearance in the NY State Final Four in 2019, an undefeated season in 2020, a 15-win season in 2022, and an appearance in the Section 1 championship match in 2023. From 2016-2018 Jared served as a full-time assistant coach for the Harvard men's team and was the part-time Director of Player Development for the 2019 Ivy League Champion Yale men's soccer team. Off the field, Jared serves as an educator and mentor to students in Rye, the Bronx, and communities around the world. |
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Erica Stewart, Head of Girls' Travel
Teams: Girls 2015 Spirit, Girls 2014 Blaze, Girls 2013 Cougars, Girls 2012 Dash, Girls 2012 Royals, Girls 2011 Nova Erica is a longtime RYS coach with a rich history in the sport. Between 2005-2010, she spent time as an assistant coach at Rutgers University and Centenary University. As a player, she was a member of the training squad for New Jersey's Sky Blue FC in the Women's Professional Soccer League (WPS) for part of the 2011 season. Prior to that, she captained the Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues, a semi-pro team in the W-League, and also played for Jersey Sky Blue (W-League) in 2008-2009. Erica served as captain of the Villanova Wildcats during her four-year collegiate career. Prior to her college years, Erica played club soccer for PDA (NJ) and was a member of the National Team Pool in 1998. Off the field and on the big screen, she played the soccer body double role in the 2007 film Gracie. |
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Adriano Torriani, Trainer
Teams: Boys 2015 Pirates, Boys 2013 Tottenham, Boys 2011 Rebels, Girls 2015 Power, Girls 2012 Pride Adriano is a 20-year veteran of RYS and one of the most beloved youth coaches in the area. Adriano is widely regarded for his ability to teach the technical nuances of soccer in a fun, challenging, and engaging manner. Over the years, he has also coached for Coerver and for East Hudson Select. |
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Nick Tunic, Trainer
Teams: Boys 2013 Chelsea, Boys 2012 Rapids, Girls 2015 Roar, Girls 2012 Royals Coach Nick is a professional soccer player who has been a reliable goal scorer throughout his career in professional leagues in Italy (Aqui Calcio), Slovenia (NK Tolmin), Germany (Eintracht Bad Kreuznah), Spain (Alicante Ciudad FC), and Australia (Estates FC; Mazenod FC). A former high school all-American at Mamaroneck High School, Nick has now become a role model to the many RYS players he coaches in our Mini Garnets, intramural, and travel programs. |