Each year, the Oceanside United Soccer Club awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors who have come through the OUSC program. The scholarships assist them to defray the costs of a post-high school education.
Profits from the club's annual indoor and outdoor tournaments, as well as field advertising and sponsorship revenue from the outdoor tournament, help fund these scholarships. In the past 20 years, over $350,000 has been awarded to more than 200 graduating seniors.
Scholarships are awarded annually as follows:
The Rudy LaMonica Memorial Scholarship - Rudy LaMonica was one of Oceanside's finest players whose life was cut short before he achieved his dream of playing in college and professionally. Rudy truly had both the skill and the ability, but more importantly, was strong academically and exuded both sportsmanship and character at every opportunity. Those qualities, together with his technical ability, knowledge of the game, work ethic and perseverance, made Rudy an extraordinary individual. Oceanside United Soccer Club continues to annually host the longest-running Indoor Tournament in the nation in Rudy’s name.
OUSC continues to honor and remember Rudy by presenting this scholarship in his name. This year’s recipients are…
Bessie Lamonica Memorial Scholarship - As a Club Founder and Director, Bessie is considered the Matriarch of the Oceanside United Soccer Club. She was a force of nature who did not take “no” for an answer. Bessie was elected to both the Long Island Junior Soccer League and Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association Halls of Fame, and created the girls’ soccer program in 1972. Bessie created and for many years marketed the annual journal for the Rudy Lamonica Memorial Tournament, which at the time served as the primary source of the many college scholarships the Oceanside United Soccer Club has awarded over the past 50+ years! Bessie’s personal sacrifices and enormous contributions have left an indelible impact on the Oceanside United Soccer Club and Long Island Soccer which will forever distinguish Bessie’s legacy.
OUSC continues to honor and remember Bessie by presenting this scholarship in her name. This year’s recipients are…
The Phil LaMonica Memorial Award - It’s difficult to encapsulate in just a few sentences the influential life of Phil LaMonica. Phil was a volunteer that represented the heart and soul of Oceanside and Oceanside United Soccer. Phil did all in his power to promote the importance of the sport of soccer, to sustain its growth and to make it truly accessible to all youth regardless of gender or ability, not only here in Oceanside but on Long Island and throughout New York State.
OUSC continues to honor and remember Phil by presenting this scholarship in his name. This year’s recipients are…
OUSC FOUNDERS Scholarship - The OUSC Founders Scholarship is provided to students who played for Oceanside United Soccer Club and exemplified the characteristics of a true student-athlete...dedication to academics, perseverance, hard work and sportsmanship. This year’s recipients are….
Bob Schrager Memorial Scholarship - For many years Bob Schrager was one of Oceanside United Soccer Club’s
most dedicated volunteers. At a time when volunteerism was high and many put in a lot of hours, Bob still managed to go above and beyond in his volunteering for the Club. The club recognized and memorialized his efforts by naming its annual Labor Day tournament for him. In addition, OUSC continues to honor and remember Bob by presenting this scholarship in his name. This year’s recipients are…
Joe Goldberg Memorial Scholarship - A co-founder of the Oceanside United Soccer Club, Joe Goldberg was the driving force behind the creation and success of OUSC, serving the club and the Oceanside community for 51 years before passing away in May of 2013. With no equal in youth soccer in terms of organizational ability, leadership qualities, honesty and integrity, he was elected to both the Long Island Junior Soccer League and Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association Halls of Fame.
OUSC continues to honor and remember Joe by presenting this scholarship in his name. This year’s recipients are…
Vito Sguera Memorial Scholarship - Vito Sguera was a longtime volunteer coach for OUSC, personified by his being a true gentleman both on and off the field. His passion for teaching soccer, his incredible work ethic, his care and concern not just for “his” players but all players exemplify what it means to be a leader. Perhaps his greatest teaching was not about winning or losing, but how to grow from a loss and to never give up.
OUSC honors and remembers Vito by presenting this scholarship in his name. This year’s recipients are..
The Ian McDougall Memorial Scholarship - We can safely say that without Ian McDougall, OUSC would be nowhere near the Club it currently is. Ian developed and formalized the Club’s leadership structure and bylaws, and Ian’s unwavering support of all youth players, enthusiasm, penchant for knowing what needed to be done and when, and determination in getting it done was the impetus for the Club’s dedication to all youth players interested in soccer, regardless of age/skill level, and serves today as a reminder of what OUSC is about first and foremost – children having fun and being provided opportunities to play.
OUSC honors and remembers Ian for his work and efforts by presenting this scholarship in his name. This year’s recipients are…
All scholarship applicants must meet the eligibility qualifications (SEE GUIDELINES & APPLICATION BELOW) and follow the application procedures set forth by the Board of Directors. Announcement of the scholarship winners is made at either Oceanside High School 's annual awards night or the individual recipient's home school senior honor night, as well as at OUSC's annual June awards ceremony.
2020 Scholarship Recipients
2008 Scholarship Recipients
2006 Scholarship Recipients
The club wishes to acknowledge and greatly appreciates the continued generosity and support of all of the contributors to our annual indoor tournament journal. Those proceeds, in addition to the support of all who take out ads for our Labor Day tournament. enable the club to sustain these scholarships each year. THANK YOU!