The Long Island Junior Soccer League convention is one of the largest soccer business events in the world. Every year, approximately 10,000 soccer fans come to the Huntington Hilton on Route 110 in Melville, N.Y.

The 38th convention is set for March 13, 14 and 15.

“The 38th Annual LIJSL Convention is in full effect,” convention chairperson Holly Maresco said. “Our Hall of Fame and volunteer of the year dinner will be attended by over 600 guests. The Huntington Hilton is expecting to have the exhibit hall and much more renovated for the 38th annual convention. Additionally, we are bringing in new and exciting vendors from across the globe to exhibit. The LIJSL convention is geared to be another great success!”

The convention begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 13 with the annual awards dinner as the volunteer of the year from LIJSL clubs will be honored. The LIJSL Hall of Fame will inducted new members. Jessica Lee of the West Hempstead Chiefs Soccer Club, the 2019 National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year, will be honored with the 2020 Marg McGory award, emblematic of the person who has given the most to help the TOPSoccer players.

Although there is a fee for attending the dinner, admission to the rest of the convention is free. Throughout the day on Saturday, March 14 and on Sunday, March 15, there will be LIJSL Sportsmanship Award presentations, meetings for club presidents, coaches and volunteers plus coaches and referee clinics as thousands of people purchase soccer items.

Highlights include:

* Vendors from around the world.

• A bilingual College Forum (English/Spanish) for high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors. The expert panel will talk about what every parent and player needs to know, including NCAA requirements, financial aid packages plus picking the college that’s right for you!

• LIJSL Sportsmanship Awards. All the Sportsmanship recipients from the 2019 spring and fall seasons, will be honored at the convention this year.

• American Red Cross CPR/AED Training, conducted by the Long Island Sports Care Group

• United Soccer Coaches 4v4 Diploma, a three-hour lesson designed for those who will be coaching youth soccer players from 4 to 10 years of age.

The times and dates of each event are being finalized. For more information about the convention, visit: http://www.lijsoccer.com/pages/convention.php

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.