UASC Tryzub: 60 Championship

8 “America” — Philadelphia, PA, Saturday, November 20, 2010 No. 45

Club carried 112 registered U.S. soccer world by a six-year lation soccer game in Atlantic Vienna, Austria, and many oth- athletes. storm that rained champion- City’s Convention Hall in New ers. In 1967, the Ukrainian Na- Tryzub’s fledgling teams ships and fame onto the City Jersey. Soccer teams from tionals, the reigning national competed with distinction of Philadelphia and its Ukrai- around the world visited Phila- champions, represented the through their first five years. nian American community. In delphia to play “Our Team”: United States in international UASC Tryzub: 60 championship

The volleyball team was Phila- delphia Recreation Center Eugene A. Luciw champion twice, while the chess team captured the Philadelphia Philadelphia. November 8, Cup an equal number of times. 2010. Every milestone provides Meanwhile, the soccer team its celebrants an opportunity to captured the America Ukrainian review past achievements and newspaper Cup and became to set goals for a bright and champion of a tournament held prosperous future. in New Brunswick, NJ. The year 2010 marks the Ukrainian American Sport Cen- The Ukrainian sporting ter — Tryzub’s 60th anniver- flame burns brightly. Tryzub’s sary. The Club’s accomplish- eventual accomplishments in ments in the spheres of commu- the sport of soccer can only be nity service and sport are quite styled as legendary. remarkable, while its plans for The road to success began the future continue to exemplify in 1956, when its amateur Ma- leadership and insight into the jors Division team was the fi- ever-changing needs and demo- nalist for the coveted national graphics of the Ukrainian U.S. Amateur Cup, losing a American community. hotly contested championship game in St. Louis. The follow- The flame of Ukrainian ing year, under the team name sport finds a home in Phila- “Philadelphia Ukrainian Na- UASC Tryzub representatives, Ihor Chyzowych and Jaroslaw Kozak, greet the reigning champions delphia. Initially organized in tionals,” Tryzub entered the of Ukraine, Dnipropetrovsk “Dnipro” at a friendly match against Team USA held at Franklin Field, 1949 as a branch of the Self- American Soccer League as a in Philadelphia — attendance: over 44,000 (1989). reliance Association, “The Uk- professional team and captured rainian Sports Club” played a second place in 1957, losing that time, “Our Team” (“Nasha Manchester United, England; competition before 102,000 number of interesting exhibi- only its matches against the Druzhyna”) captured four U.S. Manchester City, England; fans in El Salvador. tion soccer matches against lo- powerful Uhrik Truckers. Open Cup professional Cham- Dundee, Scotland; Eintracht All of the United States knew cal professional teams. The In 1960, a revitalized Ukrai- pionships (1960, ’61, ’63, ’66) Frankfurt, West Germany; about the Philadelphia Ukrai- Club also formed a junior di- nian Nationals team took the and lost in the finals once; they Stuttgart, West Germany; nian Nationals. Tryzub’s soccer were crowned American Soc- cer League professional champions all seven years. In the words of Philadel- phia Inquirer sports journalist Melvin Dursloy, “The best soccer team in the country, ob- viously suppressing some strong emotion, are the Phila- delphia Ukrainian Nationals.” In fact, this number of professional championships also el- evates the Ukrainian Nation- als to the status of the most successful professional franchise in all of Philadelphia sports history. Tryzub was the first soccer team in the United States to Tryzub’s Chess Masters (left to right): Ju. Koltun (director), A. Tryzub’s Chess Masters (from left): S. Nowakiwskyj, R. Sawczak, have home games televised and Nowakiwskyj, R. Sawczak (director), M. Subtelnyj, N. Romanec B. Bachynskyj, Ju. Koltun, (missing: M. Subtelnyj). played in the first indoor regu- (missing: B. Bachynskyj). vision team. The Philadelphia Soccer League (PSL), in short order, sanctioned both teams for league play. Consequently, in March of 1950, Tryzub’s pioneers called a general organizational meeting. The assembly resolved to charter the Ukrainian Sport Center (eventually renamed to “Ukrainian American Sport Center”) — Tryzub and elected its first Board of Directors and Executive Committee. They registered Tryzub’s soccer teams in the PSL as “Ukrainian- American Sports Club” and elected to play ball under the colors red-and-black that continue to adorn its players’ uni- forms to this very day. Distinguished Ukrainian athletes and sports enthusiasts, who had been active in their homeland and in various refu- gee camps in Europe, began to flock to Philadelphia. By 1955, Tryzub had 10 fully sanctioned teams that competed not only in The Ukrainian Nationals were the U.S. professional soccer champions in 1960, 1961, 1963 and 1966 — First row (left to soccer but also in such varied right): Mike Noha, Ricardo Mangini, Ismael Ferreyra, Walt Chyzowych (U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame), I. Scott, E. Tatoyan; sports as volleyball, track-and- second row: Alex Ely (U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame), Ivan Borodjak, Nazar Warwariuk, Gene Krawetz, O. Ferreyra, Andy field, basketball and chess. The Racz, L. Oliver, K. Yakovino, O. Switch, Vistyslav Glisovic (coach and manager). No. 45 “America” — Philadelphia, PA, Saturday, November 20, 2010 9 achievements are well docu- and social, heritage and cul- and field and swimming). Al- Once completed, “Tryzu- ticipated. The athletes proudly mented in the broadcast media, tural affairs and activities, and though many adults have par- biwka” became home to nine represented 10 Ukrainian sports newspapers, sports magazines, professional soccer and ama- ticipated in these amateur soccer teams, two volleyball and youth organizations. This soccer Web sites, the U.S. Soc- teur sports (soccer, volleyball, sports activities, developing teams, a chess team, a table-ten- international extravaganza gave cer Hall of Fame (a fabulous table tennis, golf, chess, track the Ukrainian youth was the nis team and a golf league. Soon Ukrainians, young and old, men years of memories and community service display) and even in the Ency- and women, an opportunity not clopedia Britannica. only to compete, but also to so- Above it all, however, the cialize and to develop lasting Ukrainian Nationals brought friendships. Despite social and joy, pride and self-esteem to logistical challenges that would Ukrainians throughout America overwhelm others, Tryzub and even the entire world. At a planned and executed the time when the Russian occupi- event with the precision of a ers were trying to eclipse Swiss watch. Ukraine and all aspects of A contemporaneous thaw in Ukrainian heritage and culture, Soviet autocracy gave Tryzub the incredible news kept an opportunity to re-establish streaming about these Ukrai- direct contacts and communica- nian Nationals (a constant tions with sports associations in source of agitation for the So- Ukraine. In 1990, a year before viet Politburo, no doubt). Un- Ukraine’s declaration of inde- deniably, Tryzub was a signifi- pendence, Tryzub arranged for cant factor in keeping alive not the famed Lviv Karpaty soccer only the flame of Ukrainian team from Ukraine to tour the sport, but also the very Ukrai- The original Juniors soccer team that the Selfreliance Association organized in 1949 — First row United States for a series of ex- nian name and identity. (left to right): Ihor Chyzowych, O. Dubiwka, Bohdan Anniuk, R. Krywopusk, Gene Chyzowych; hibition matches. A year later, second row: P. Kotelbnyckyj (Manager), Zenon Procyk, Jaroslaw Kozak, B. Senyk, W. Andriuk, Tryzub representatives, as part The flame continues to Walt Chyzowych (U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame), R. Prunko, W. Wolaniuk, O. Harasymowycz, W. of a delegation sponsored by the burn. From the very beginning, Lukasewycz, B. Porytko (captain). Ukrainian Sports Federation of primary focus of the third of these three divisions. The late 1960’s saw the col- lapse of the American Soccer League in the wake of the heavily funded North American Soccer League. Despite a few years of success and a championship in the highly competitive German American League of New York, Tryzub decided to abandon its professional sports franchise in favor of a sharper focus on amateur sports. Since that time Tryzub’s Majors Di- vision soccer team, a perennial Pennsylvania State Champion in either the U.S. Amateur or the The closing on “Tryzubiwka’s” purchase (1978) — sitting (left to U.S. Open Cup, or both, and its right): B. Siryj, R. Sawczak (Pres.), J. Kozak, P. Tarnawsky; stand- President Jimmy Carter congratulates Walter Chyzowych, other amateur teams, youth and ing: M. Kiczuha, W. Kril, R. Szwed, W. Korzenowskyj, O. Skulskyj, America’s MVP soccer player in the years 1976-80. adult, have captured numerous and S. Nowakiwskyj. Tryzub placed high priorities on establishing and maintaining a home base and on active partici- pation in the broader Ukrainian community. On North Broad Street in the Logan section of Philadelphia, it purchased a par- cel of property upon which it developed a modern clubhouse and hall. Club “Tryzub” became a popular place for Ukrainians to gather socially. It was a venue for cultural, artistic and theatri- cal events. The Ukrainian community used it frequently to mark personal and community celebrations, commemorations and milestone events. As such, Tryzub’s program- Finalists for the U.S. Amateur National Cup (St. Louis, 1956) — (left to right): Walter Kudenko, Walt Chyzowych, P. Switenko, S. ming consisted of three divi- Czerniawskyj, Ivan Pawlichka, Jaroslaw Kozak, B. Senyk, Ihor Chyzowych, W. Wolaniuk, Gene Chyzowych, W. Marczuk, Nazar sions (“lanky”): housekeeping Warwariuk, Walter Harasym. championships and awards. a swimming and a tennis team America and Canada (known Tryzub also rapidly realized joined the roster. The highly by its Ukrainian acronym — that owning its own sports fa- lauded adult U.S. Majors Di- USCAK), joined other Ukrai- cility was an absolute necessity vision team became the heart nian Diaspora sportsmen in a for further growth and devel- and soul of the Ukrainian Na- memorable tour of Ukraine. opment. In 1978, it purchased tionals and continued, in most Meetings and celebrations with a 38-acre tract of land in Hor- years, to march through their numerous teams and sports as- sham, Pennsylvania. Countless competition at the local United sociations highlighted this very volunteer hours by many Phila- Soccer League and Pennsylva- emotional reunion with our an- delphia-area Ukrainian Ameri- nia State Cup levels. cestral homeland. cans developed this farm of In 1988, “Tryzubiwka” hos- corn fields into a modern sports ted the first of three Ukrainian Tryzub in the new millen- and social facility that includes Diaspora Olympiads and Youth nium. Tryzub’s 50th anniver- six soccer fields, four tennis Rallies. It was an absolutely sary in 2000 witnessed monu- courts, volleyball courts, a perfect celebration of the Mil- mental improvements to the fa- clubhouse, a social club and lennium of Ukraine’s Chris- cilities in the guise of a grand hall, parkland and a multi-pa- tianity. Close to 800 athletes addition to its clubhouse and Tryzub’s swim team that won the USCAK meet several times. Di- vilion forested festival stage and 12,000 spectators from rector Eugene Zyblikewycz is on the far left. and grove. throughout the free world par- (Continued on p. 11) No. 45 “America” — Philadelphia, PA, Saturday, November 20, 2010 11 UASC Tryzub: 60 championship years of memories and community service

mark milestones in their own Tryzub’s future — the youth teams (2010). lives and in the life of their community. Tryzub’s Ukrainian Folk Festival (scheduled next year for Sunday, Aug. 21) for instance, annually marks the (Continued from p. 9) anniversary of Ukraine’s Inde- pendence. Nearly 2,000 people social hall and a dramatic expan- attend this fun-filled and enter- sion and modernization of its taining cultural event. kitchen. Tryzub also hosted its second highly successful Olym- Many Happy Years! One of piad and Youth Rally that year. the greatest baseball hitters of Tryzub recently also up- all time, Ted Williams, once told graded its electrical service and an admiring public that success attached connections to munici- in sports, not unlike success in pal water and sewerage systems. all aspects of life, is not a mat- Plans are set to develop an arti- ter of simple good luck, but a ficial turf fully-lighted soccer matter of hard work and prepa- field to handle training and play ration meeting opportunity. in the winter and in inclement There can be but little doubt that weather. Numerous other land- Tryzub’s record of excellence scaping upgrades are underway. stems from Ted Williams’ school Much to its credit, Tryzub, in of thought and play. the new millennium, also re- freshed its approach to gover- nance and development by seat- ing younger activists onto its Board and Executive Commit- tee. This initiative produced al- most immediate and lasting re- sults. “Tryzubiwka” is now home to no less than 29 youth teams in age brackets from Un- der-9 through Under-20, boys and girls. And, of course, Tryzub’s pride and joy, its Ukrainian Nationals Majors Division team, continues to be the premier torchbearer. A great number of Ukrainian Tryzub volleyball team (1960’s) — First row (left to right); N. boys and girls have graduated Kudenko, O. Mycholajiwska, L. Siletska, M. Zhubryd-Kasian; from Tryzub’s extremely chal- second row: I. Szumska-Moroz, M. Bak-Boychuk, D. Zawadowycz, lenging program and have gone E. Nowakiwska. on to excel, with scholarships Tryzub volleyball team (1960’s) — First row (left to right): E. in hand, in the soccer programs Kuropas, W. Sawczyn, L. Luczyn; second row: W. Zawadowycz, at their respective colleges and L. Tryceckyj, unknown, R. Badulak, Ihor Zajac. universities. Tryzub has also had the fore- sight to weave its way into the fabric of its local community. The Township of Horsham and many other communities that surround “Tryzubiwka” have expressed great gratitude to Tryzub for its work and dedi- cation to youth sports and cultural and artistic programming. Tryzub has become a distinct, uniquely colorful and yet in- separable Ukrainian piece of its broader community. As in the days of old, the Ukrainian Na- tionals keep the name and idea Soccer veterans from the 1960’s — First row (left to right): un- of Ukraine alive in the minds of Tryzub Tennis Tournament (2006) — First row (left to right): I. known, S. Nowakiwskyj, Ju. Suchar, R. Kos, W. Terleckyj; second many non-Ukrainians. Durbak, J. Tymkiw, B. Tatunchak, W. Dziwak; second row: S. row: E. Karatnyckyj, J. Zmurkewycz, L. Stadnyckyj, B. Paladij, In 2008 Tryzub hosted its Sosiak, Ju. Petrykewycz, I. Chyzowych, Ju. Hrabar, Ju. Sawczak M. Kasian, J. Bahlaj, J. Bernardyn. third extremely successful (tennis director), T. Sawczak with daughter, I. Buhaj, A. Olynec. Olympiad that attracted over Happy Birthday Tryzub! Best Tryzub’s Annual Golf Outing (circa 2001). 500 athletes from throughout wishes for a bright and prosper- North America. ous future — Mnohaya Lita! Moreover, the decade saw Tryzub establish a Memorial Weekend Annual Youth Soccer Tournament that hosts nearly 200 teams at “Tryzubiwka” and four other nearby venues. The tournament has a national and even an international reputation (teams from as far away as Canada and Bermuda have par- ticipated) for excellence and a high caliber of play. On a social and community level, Tryzub and its membership continues to be active in the Ukrainian community. “Try- zubiwka” is the place to which Current President of UASC Ukrainian Americans flock to “Tryzub” Jaroslaw Kozak.