Longtime AYSO volunteer to step down from top spot




SOPHIA FISCHER/Acorn Newspapers JOB WELL DONE- AYSO Region 4 Commissioner Tony Donadio is  resigning  after  nearly  five  years  at  the  organization's  helm. Donadio  poses  with  young  athletes  during  recent  playoffs  at Brookside Elementary School in Oak Park.

SOPHIA FISCHER/Acorn Newspapers JOB WELL DONE- AYSO Region 4 Commissioner Tony Donadio is resigning after nearly five years at the organization’s helm. Donadio poses with young athletes during recent playoffs at Brookside Elementary School in Oak Park.


Overseeing the soccer season for 2,600 local athletes, 285 coaches, 900 volunteers and 32 board members is like being the CEO of a large company, says Tony Donadio, commissioner for the American Youth Soccer Organization Region 4, encompassing Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Oak Park and Westlake Village. Donadio is resigning after serving nearly five years in the top role.

The Westlake Village resident was honored at the board’s December meeting. Donadio’s fellow board members credit him with much of the region’s success.

“Tony has done an outstanding job,” said longtime board member Bicky Rippe. “He gives an extraordinary amount of time to make sure we have a fair, safe and fun environment for the kids.”

Although the commissioner term is only three years, Donadio stayed on while other volunteers were groomed for the job. The board will choose a successor by February. Donadio will remain a board member and plans to become more involved in the section, which includes six regions from Bakersfield and Paso Robles south to the San Fernando Valley.

“Tony has brought a balance to the organization. He’s had some very difficult situations with parents and coaches,” said Tom Jacobellis, who holds the record for AYSO volunteer service at 30 years.

Donadio is a familiar face to many involved in AYSO. During the season he visits all eight field sites each weekend, watching games, talking to parents, referees and coaches.

“I remind people why we’re there- it’s about the kids,” Donadio said.

Donadio has been an AYSO volunteer for 13 years.

When asked why he remains an AYSO volunteer Donadio’s response is simple- the kids.

“I love the first Saturday when the season starts and we get all 2,600 kids out to start playing soccer,” Donadio said. “All the work since the March signups, organizing teams and coaches is so worth it when you walk around and see the smiles on their faces and see them laughing and having fun.”

Although the soccer season runs only in the fall, Donadio’s volunteer job is a year-round one. Despite a fulltime job in construction, Donadio puts in two to four hours a night on AYSO business, answering phone calls and e-mails. He attends monthly meetings of the general and executive boards and represents the region at area board meetings. At division playoffs he’s the trained first aid field monitor driving the golf cart, helping athletes with everything from heat exhaustion to sprained ankles.

“Our region is one of the biggest and best managed. When I go to section meetings our region is used as an example,” Donadio said.

Region 4 has strengthened through Donadio’s leadership: coaches are better educated and are required to play each child for three-quarters of the game rather than half, as had been the rule in the past, according to Jacobellis and Rippe. Professional coaches from England have been brought on to work with each AYSO team at least once during the season.

Region 4 teams are always in section competitions, and the region is known throughout the area for having well-trained referees. The region has earned AYSO’s top award in customer satisfaction every year under Donadio’s guidance.

“Tony took the politics out of the organization,” Jacobellis said. “He oversaw the board- we made decisions together. In the past we had leadership that said ‘this is how it’s going to be.'”

Like Jacobellis, Rippe and Donadio, many on the board have been with the organization for more than 10 years and no longer have children in AYSO.

They include Diane Saunders, Steve Cooper, Leslie Cravitz, John Tata, Mike Grodotzke, Kyle Himsl, Jed Kagan, Arnie Klauber and Chris Richard.

“I was ready to move on, then Tony came on the board, and I still wanted to be part of it,” said Rippe, who has been involved for 15 years. ”

Donadio is a local product. A native Californian, his family moved to Westlake Village in 1967. He graduated from Agoura High School in 1972, as did his wife, Janet. The couple settled in Westlake, where they raised their children, Amanda, 25, and Daniel, 20.

Donadio got his start in AYSO through his son when Daniel was 8 and began to play soccer. Donadio attended a team meeting for parents, where he was given the last open volunteer position needed- referee.

“I had never played soccer in my life,” Donadio said. “We didn’t have soccer in P.E. at Agoura High.”

In training, Donadio quickly learned the rules of the game, eventually earning the secondtohighest referee status. Over the years Donadio became division director for U14 girls, then assistant commissioner for U10 and U14 boys and girls, before being elected region commissioner.

Donadio also served as a volunteer football coach at Agoura High and at several colleges, including Moorpark. One group he coached through the Westlake youth football program was invited to play in Hawaii.

“Once a volunteer, always a volunteer,” Donadio said. “I am so proud to be able to give back to the community and make this a better place for our kids.”

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