Goshen, N.Y. – Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has named legendary former soccer coach Tony Martelli as December’s Citizen of the Month Award recipient.
Martelli, of New Windsor, was recognized for his work as an ambassador in the soccer community for more than five decades and for his generosity running the Washingtonville Soccer Shop.
“Tony is a true gentleman and is beloved by everyone in the soccer community,” Neuhaus said. “He has had made a positive impact on thousands of coaches, and young athletes and their families over the years. Everyone knows Coach Martelli and everyone respects and appreciates him throughout Orange County and I am proud to recognize him.”
Martelli and his family opened the Washingtonville Soccer Shop on East Main Street in 1981 and it quickly became a hub for the soccer community. When a guest walks into the store, Martelli greets them warmly like they entered his living room. Players and coaches from different generations come by to talk soccer with Martelli, share an accomplishment, or watch part of a game. Martelli is quick to call someone in his family to share a player’s milestone, whether it be scoring a big goal or choosing to play at a college. Since the store opened, Martelli often gives discounts to families and often helps less fortunate families with gear.
Martelli, 80, is also one of the most accomplished boys’ soccer coach in Orange County history. Martelli went 249-54-25 at Washingtonville from 1968-84, winning seven Section 9 titles and 12 Orange County League titles. He was inducted into the New York State High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 1995. The Section 9 Soccer Coaches Association have also named its scholarships after Martelli.
Martelli moved to Rye Neck in Westchester County from Argusto Calabria, Italy when he was 16. He starred as a soccer player at Hartwick College and moved to Orange County after he graduated in 1965. He is a retired Spanish and French teacher. Martelli and his wife, Lorenza, have been married for 56 years. They have three children, Domenic, 55, Teresa, 53, and Sal, 46.
Neuhaus introduced his Citizen of the Month Award, which acknowledges outstanding Orange County residents, in January of 2017. To nominate someone for the Citizen of the Month Award, please email ceoffice@orangecountygov.com or mail a letter to “Citizen of the Month” at 255-275 Main Street Goshen, N.Y. 10924. Be sure to include the nominee’s name, hometown, a list of their accomplishments, why you are nominating them, and any other pertinent information.
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