Hudson Valley Winter College ID Camp

By MIKE SABINI

SHRUB OAK, N.Y. – Lakeland coach Tim Hourahan never backs down from a challenge, and getting this year’s Hudson Valley College ID camp together was indeed a challenge, thanks to COVID-19.

Hourahan, with the assistance of Mamaroneck coach Rich Becker and Somers coach Brian Lanzetta, was up to the challenge, though. The camp, which was originally to be held in the summer at Lakeland High School, will now be at 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, and noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at Mamaroneck High School.

“The reason we could not hold this event at Lakeland High School, or the club soccer fields we have over at Granite Knolls, is that both campuses are closed for the rest of 2020,” said Hourahan, the camp director. “We are very lucky that Mamaroneck allowed us to host the event, and we owe a huge thank you to head coach Rich Becker and the school’s administration for them hosting our players.”

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Time was of the essence.

“Once we postponed the camp in July, and then August, the only real move was to wait until the end of this high school soccer season in Section 1, to see if any winter dates would work out,” Hourahan said. “There is no reason to host an event next spring, as, first of all, by that time all of the 2021s will be locked into their college choice. Also, we will plan to host the fourth annual ID camp next July for all of our current sophomores and juniors back at Lakeland High School. So, trying to get this camp in December, again really for our current seniors, was really important to do before the new year.”

Seniors Antonio Gerbasi—who was scheduled to visit Potsdam earlier this week, and whose coach is coming to the camp—Austin Bergen, and Jason San Lucas, and freshman Connor Daly are Lakeland players who plan to be at Mamaroneck.

“Attending the Hudson Valley ID Camp means a lot to me,” Gerbasi said. “Especially with COVID-19 making recruitment even harder this year, I am so thankful to be able to have the chance to show the coaches attending the camp what I am capable of and why I deserve a spot on their team.”

Yorktown seniors George Popovic and Dylan Lopez and junior Mason Murphy are also scheduled to participate in the camp.

“It’s going to be fun competing in the Hudson Valley ID camp,” Popovic said. “This camp is a great opportunity to be seen by some of the best college programs in our area. I’m looking forward to playing against some of the best players in the section. I personally can’t wait. It should be a great weekend. Anytime you can be around a bunch of guys who love doing the same thing you love to do, it is always a pleasure.”

Hourahan said that what he is most happy about is that he was able to keep his promise, especially to the 2021 graduates, that that they would find a way to be able to showcase their talents this year.

“All these players had had a really long spring and summer, in which they were unable to attend tournaments, showcases and college camps, and now they will have close to 30 college programs in attendance this weekend,” Hourahan said. “To me, the number of college programs coming says a ton about the caliber of player in this area, as there are still no D1 schools allowed to attend due to NCAA rules, and there are still many other college coaches, who are still not allowed to travel due to their own administration’s rulings.

“I also think having this ID camp a few weeks after the season ends, instead of a month before it starts, is really bringing a whole new angle to this event,” Hourahan added.

Hourahan said that the camp has become special.

“We have a great following, and are really attracting the top players in the region, and because of how high of a level our players are playing in college over the past few years, the number of coaches who are coming to watch them compete is just amazing,” Hourahan said. “For all the players, it’s an opportunity to be seen, and to compete against some of the very best players around. Players will also have a chance to speak directly to coaches at the field, ask questions, and make some real contact to carry forward over the next few months or years for our younger guys.”