Ceres Youth Soccer Organization has experienced a wealth of changes since its inception in 1982.
Enrollment figures have increased.
Age groups have been added.
Volunteers have come and gone.
The one thing that has remained constant is longtime president Lou Toste’s commitment to CYSO.
“I’ve been here since 1982,” said Toste, 73. “I’ve never left. I can’t remember how many years I’ve been president. I love what I do. I enjoy helping the kids. I live and dream soccer.”
CYSO kicked off its 41st season on Aug. 19.
“We’re like a family here,” Toste said. “We always have been since day one. It takes a team to run this organization. We work hard. We’re very organized. Our fees are as low as they can be. Our board members are all volunteers. We try to please everybody. We got great people out there. That’s why we’re able to be successful.”
About 1,000 boys and girls, aged 4-16, signed up for recreational play.
Enrollment has grown five-fold since 1982, when games were held at Caswell Elementary School.
CYSO and other sports leagues across the state of California were forced to cancel play in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“It (signups) went up for U-8 and U-6 this year,” said Toste. “We had to add a third field for U-8. We have a lot of talented kids in this town. We try to do our best for the kids. They all have fun out there. They’re safe.”
“I’ve been coaching here for three years,” said Jessica Lopez, head coach of the Ceres Gems under-8 girls team. “The organization as a whole, I think they do a great job. It’s structured really well. Every kid plays. It’s a great opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people.”
CYSO has a registration fee of $100 per player. That pays for uniforms, trophies/medals and insurance.
“There are no team standings,” Toste said. “Everybody in our league are winners.”
CYSO’s recreational league is comprised of 80-plus teams.
There are seven age groups for both boys and girls soccer: under-4, U-6, U-8, U-10, U-12, U-14 and U-16.
The 10-week season will conclude in October.
CYSO’s competitive program consists of five Ceres Earthquakes teams.
There are three U-13 boys teams.
There are two girls teams (U-19 and U-13).
Recreational games are played on nine fields at Ceres River Bluff Regional Park.
Prior to the opening of the soccer complex, games were staged at different sites throughout the city. Families had to make their rounds between Walter White, Sam Vaughn, Mae Hensley and Blaker-Kinser schools.
“All I can say is thanks to the city of Ceres,” Toste stated.
CYSO’s board consists of 16 people: Toste (president), Brian Griffiths (vice president), Angela Jacobson (secretary), Ruben Alvarez (treasurer), Chris Meshach (competitive coach), Rebecca Alvarez (match secretary), Cyndi Meshach (registrar), Randy Cerny (trophy coordinator), Adryana Mestas (picture coordinator), Irene Rodriguez (uniform coordinator), Vince Samora (field/equipment coordinator), Rudy Jimenez (assistant field coordinator), Juan Larios (referee coordinator), Dylan Jacobson (referee coordinator), Elias Rodriguez (rec. coach coordinator) and Alfredo Campos (competitive manager).
Toste has been affiliated with CYSO since the very beginning.
Tom Passalaqua and his late wife Johnny founded the organization in 1982.
Approximately 120 youngsters signed up for CYSO’s inaugural season.
“I started as a coach for my kids,” Toste said. “I have two grandkids that play now.”
Toste volunteered to coach the Ceres Lions U-8 boys team this fall.
