Hauppauge Alumni Play Soccer For Charity

Hauppauge High School alumni of the past 40 years came together over a game of soccer to renew friendships and keep memories alive.

More than 67 Hauppauge soccer players participated in the sixth annual mens alumni soccer game for charity on Saturday morning. Blustery conditions couldn't dampen spirits as the men caught up with longtime friends.

"I look forward to coming back every year," said John Smalley, class of 1989. "When we graduated there were not a whole lot of leagues around for us to play in." 

Ruffini organized the first Hauppauge boys soccer alumni game in 2006 when one of his then varsity players Markus Gluck was involved in a serious car accident. The event raised funds to benefit Gluck's family to help with medical bills. It's first year drew more than 90 players. 

This year, five teams took to the field to play a series of 17-minute games in a day long tournament. A team could put as many man as they had on the field, scores only mattered to the players as they talked about families, work and college.

"The reason I came back is to be with the guys and keep the friendships going," said Ray Perez, class of 1994.

Among those on the field were graduates from 1974 to present, Ruffino said, who held a number of honors. They included former pro soccer players Gary Flood and Mark Semioli, as well as a number of former All-Americans.

The $25 registration fee paid by each player will be donated to a Hauppauge family, the Lazazzaros, who have two children diagnosed with Cockrayne syndrome, a rare terminal disorder that cut average life expectancy to 7 years.