Randy Zwerlein Memorial Game a Community Success

A large crowd, and a huge spirit of volunteerism and remembrance, filled the Babylon High School football field stands during the tenth annual "Randy Zwerlein Memorial Under the Lights Soccer Game."

The game, which features a boys soccer matchup and a girls soccer game, honors the spirit of volunteerism of Randy Zwerlein, who died of cancer in January 2002. The event, held September 21, celebrated its tenth anniversary this year.

CHECK OUT OUR PHOTO GALLERY OF THE EVENT.

Zwerlein was the husband of Babylon Memorial Grade School fifth grade teacher Rayna Zwerlein, and the father of two children who attended Babylon Village schools: Cory, now 26, and Amanda, now 24.

The idea for the event originated with Keely Harris, a friend of the Zwerleins.

“Anything good that was going on, Randy fit," Harris said. “He was one of those guys who was always there for everything. We’d always wanted a night of soccer to recognize the seniors at the high school,” explained Harris, “and to do so in memory of Randy, who was so involved in soccer, community service and volunteerism, was a perfect idea.”

Zwerlein was active in the Babylon Soccer Club, the Babylon Lions Club, and was also a big part of an organization called COMPASS, which was a high-school-based group of parents dedicated to keeping our youth safe, added Harris.

The memorial game is dependent upon the efforts of many volunteers. The first “under the lights” games were held at the grade school fields, which didn’t have any lights, so volunteers kicked into action.

"“At the grade school, we had to raise money to rent lights,” said Harris. “We had volunteer parents who were electricians helping out, hooking up generators. We had tarps and tents and set-up volunteers. Some merchants and residents gave generous donations. We made it happen. Volunteerism is what this is all about.”

Later, the game was re-located to the high school football field after lighting was installed. Fundraising continues each year to both operate the event and to offer scholarship money to a graduating high school senior who is a resident of Babylon Village and has played soccer in the past.

At the game, the Babylon Varsity Lady Panthers went into overtime against Center Moriches for the first game, with a final score of 0:0, and after an intermission, the Babylon Boys Varsity played against Wyandanch, winning with a score of 3:1.

Pre-game and halftime activities are also features of the evening. Before each game, a color guard ceremony was performed by a local girl scout troop and boy scout troop, and fifth grade soccer ballboys and ballgirls escorted varsity soccer players onto the fields.

The high school band and a choral singer participated. Senior soccer players recognized their parents with bouquets of flowers. Before each game, a moment of silence occurred in memory of “Randy Zwerlein and all the others we have lost this year.” At halftime, there was recognition of former Babylon Village soccer players who'd been Suffolk County champions.

On the sidelines, younger players participated in a soccer shoot-out run by the soccer club and junior varsity players. Volunteers manned the food booth, barbecue grills, announcer’s booth, and other areas. The Babylon Boosters Club donated t-shirts to high school and youth soccer players, volunteers, and others, and also served as announcers and provided the music.

As Rayna Zwerlein emphasized, the memorial game is all about the spirit of volunteerism.

“Randy’s life and passion was children and youth sports and volunteerism,” said Rayna. “Randy was not so different from the wonderful members volunteering tonight. They are in many places, making this village what it is.”