Edward Merante, one of the founders and owners of the Rochester Lancers, and the founder of the Chili Home of Little Guy Soccer in 1969, has been inducted into the New York State Soccer Western Youth Soccer Association (NYSWYSA) Hall of Fame in recognition of his more than five decades of service to young people and youth soccer programs.
The announcement was made by Roger J. Best, the Rochester District Commissioner of the organization for over 250 affiliated clubs and leagues in western New York. Based in Corning, the association is affiliated with U.S. Youth Soccer and the United States Soccer Federation.
A presentation ceremony for Mr. Merante will be scheduled at a later date.
Mr. Merante started the first boys soccer program in the United States for seven-year-olds in 1968 with four teams. In 1969, the name changed to Chili Soccer Association with the first team of 15- to 18-year-olds known as “The Westsiders.” The team competed against other local teams known as “The Eastsiders” and “The Baysiders.”
In 1970, the first inter-town season began with about 80 boys who were recruited in response to an idea which Mr. Merante publicized in the local media. Gates, Spencerport, Hilton, Churchville, Scottsville, Irondequoit, the Town of Greece, East Rochester, and the City of Rochester formed teams in 1972. The Chili Soccer Association was chartered, and girls’ teams were added.
In 1974, the Chili soccer program was recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the North American Soccer League (NASL) as the nation’s first organized youth soccer program. Also in 1974, the Chili Town Board erected signs at the Chili town borders reading “Welcome to the Home of Little Guy Soccer.” In 1983, the Town of Chili dedicated the soccer field in Memorial Park as “Ed Merante Field.”
Mr. Merante organized an international soccer tournament in Chili in October 1990 with Canada, Italy, Russia, and Ukraine participating. The United States was represented by the Chili Soccer Association team.
In 2010, Mr. Merante was honored with the naming of the St. Pius the Tenth athletic field co-dedicated to the Rev. Donald Murphy, the church’s first pastor and founder of St. Pius the Tenth School, and to Mr. Merante.
Mr. Merante was born in Pentone, Catanzaro, Italy. He emigrated to the United States in 1956 at the age of 20, played for the Italian–American Sport Club team, and served as club comptroller, correspondence secretary, and on the board of directors for 26 years.
He was a member of the founding committee of five with Tony Pullano, Charlie Schiano, Patsy Frank, and Rudy LePore at the Italian–American Sport Club, which began the process to secure a professional soccer franchise in the American Soccer League. The team became the Rochester Lancers. Mr. Merante served as a part-owner from 1967 to 1985.
Mr. Merante has been honored by past Monroe County Manager Gordon Howe, past Rochester Mayor Frank Lamb, past Chili Supervisor James J. Powers, and the Chili Town Board for his dedication to the youth soccer program. For 13 years, he took select boys and girls teams to Italy for international soccer tournaments.
The Chili Town Board dedicated a Wall of Fame in the Recreation Building to Mr. Merante, and he has also been inducted into the Rochester Rhinos and Rochester Lancers Halls of Fame.
Provided information and photos
Edward Merante’s Highlights:
•Founded the first recognized youth
soccer program in New York State.
•Helped five other towns and
the City of Rochester develop
youth soccer programs.
•Developed a soccer program
for impaired children.
•Founded a soccer
mom’s league.
•Founded 40-and-under
and 40-and-over leagues.
•Spearheaded legislation to have Chili road signs erected
to designate the town as
“Home of Little Guy Soccer.”
•Initiated legislation to adopt Agropoli, Italy, as Chili’s sister city (there is a “Chili Square” near the Agropoli Town Hall in Italy).
•Played soccer himself
until he was 58 years old.
•Served eight years as a
Chili Town Board member.
•Had dinner with Pele.
