|
During his three-decade career as a public servant, Ron Fodge proudly served the Town of Chili, NY as their Parks and Recreation Director. He valued the platform his position provided to expand recreational opportunities to everyone. Under his leadership, the Town of Chili and the Chili Soccer Association elevated their moniker as “The Home of Little Guy Soccer.” New York State West is recognized for creating the foundation of youth soccer in Western New York and the United States. Ron Fodge played a significant role in expanding opportunities for youth in Western New York to play and compete in soccer at all levels. Below, you will find a list of his accomplishments in New York State West followed by newspaper articles annotated in red call-out boxes pertaining to each bullet:
|
|
|
- Chili Soccer Invitational – Ron Fodge co-founded the invitational and it served as his proudest achievement. The Town of Chili annually welcomes teams from across New York State West, surrounding states, and Canada. He relished the opportunity to show off the Town, its parks, soccer fields, and rich tradition in youth soccer.
- Soccer Coach – Chili Soccer Association – Ron coached girls and boys recreational and travel teams for Chili Soccer Association including both of his children’s teams for over 30 years. He also coached CYO soccer teams for St. Pius X during the academic year with players from many of his travel teams. In 2018, he received the Distinguished Service Award at the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the club for helping "grow the CSA program in Monroe County and Northeast region of the United States."
- Coach / Organizer – International Soccer Tournament – Ron proudly coached with good friend and New York State West Hall of Fame Inductee, Doug May, a Chili boys team in Agropoli, Italy (Sister City) in 1990 (just before Italy hosted the World Cup that year). He was thrilled to lead the team through international travel arrangements, site visits, a local television show interview, and proudly representing the United States in the tournament. Ron organized a reciprocal tournament with a contingent of international teams including their Sister City, Agropoli, Italy, along with Germany, Russia, Canada, Italy, and the Ukraine later that October. Former MLS star, Dema Kovalenko (New York State Well Hall of Fame Inductee), moved to the United States soon after the tournament along with other Ukrainian players to play high school soccer in Western New York as a result of the tournament.
- Outstanding Citizen of the Year (1994) - Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce – While working for the Town of Chili, Ron was recognized as Citizen of the Year for his accomplishments including the advancement of youth soccer for the “Home of Little Guy Soccer.”
- Davis Park – He played an integral role in securing the Davis property for the Town of Chili and its dedication as a massive parkland with soccer as its primary purpose. The park hosts the Chili Soccer Invitational and the Hot Dog Cup (see below)
- Merante Field – The first lighted field in the Town of Chili commemorates the founder of youth soccer in Chili, Ed Merante (NYSWEST 2021 HOF inductee) . The field, in Ron’s care, served as the showcase field for recreational, travel and high school soccer matches in Western New York along with various festivals.
- Hot Dog Cup – Ron played an integral role in organizing a unique-for-its-time, youth recreational league tournament—The Hot Dog Cup. The Cup provides a competitive tournament for recreational teams across the Western New York. The original tournament had a hot dog vendor as its sponsor and the name has lasted until this day.
- Chili Select Tournament – He created the Chili Select Tournament for select teams from recreational leagues in Western New York and Canada. The tournament ran for a decade.
|
