Carlo Acquista coaches the Fordham University, who are competing in the NCAA Division I tournament. (Photo courtesy of LIJSL)

The LIJSL Academy Thursday announced the appointment of Long Island Junior Soccer League alumnus Carlo Acquista as the director of the Academy West.

Born and raised in Queens, N.Y. Acquista played on the St. John’s University’s 1996 NCAA men’s Division championship team.

At the youth level, Acquista played for LIJSL clubs Auburndale, Bayside and Commack. Following coaching stints at St. Francis College and Adelphi University, Acquista is the head coach at Fordham University, which is competing in the NCAA Division I tournament.

He also has served as a scout for the Red Bulls. Acquista also held the lead scout and recruiter role for the team’s USL and PDL rosters. He has been a U.S. Soccer coaching education instructor and a Region I ODP coach and evaluator. He also holds a USSF “A” Coaching License.

“As a former youth player in LIJSL, I was always searching for more opportunities in soccer,” Acquista said in a statement. “This program will provide players a platform to learn, develop, and compete at higher levels and at an early age.”

The LIJSL Academy West aims to provide elite-level training and development to players residing in Nassau and Queens Counties at an economical-friendly price. The program launched this spring with two rounds of I.D./ Tryout Sessions.

“I’m very happy and excited to have Carlo direct the Academy West program, he has a great history of developing youth players in the area,” LIJSL Academy director Ronan Wiseman said. “I am confident that all of the players in the Academy West will benefit from his leadership and guidance.”

Tryout / I.D. Sessions for the Academy West begin Sunday, April 25 and continue May 2.

Academy West tryout/ I.D. Sessions are FREE.

For more information, and to register for tryouts: CLICK HERE

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.