8 “America” — Philadelphia, PA, Saturday, November 20, 2010 No. 45 Eugene A. Luciw Philadelphia. November 8, 2010. Every milestone provides its celebrants an opportunity to review past achievements and to set goals for a bright and prosperous future. The year 2010 marks the Ukrainian American Sport Cen- ter — Tryzub’s 60th anniver- sary. The Club’s accomplish- ments in the spheres of commu- nity service and sport are quite remarkable, while its plans for the future continue to exemplify leadership and insight into the ever-changing needs and demo- graphics of the Ukrainian American community. The flame of Ukrainian sport finds a home in Phila- delphia. Initially organized in 1949 as a branch of the Self- reliance Association, “The Uk- rainian Sports Club” played a number of interesting exhibi- tion soccer matches against lo- cal professional teams. The Club also formed a junior di- UASC Tryzub: 60 championship vision team. The Philadelphia Soccer League (PSL), in short order, sanctioned both teams for league play. Consequently, in March of 1950, Tryzub’s pioneers called a general organizational meet- ing. The assembly resolved to charter the Ukrainian Sport Center (eventually renamed to “Ukrainian American Sport Center”) — Tryzub and elected its first Board of Directors and Executive Committee. They registered Tryzub’s soccer teams in the PSL as “Ukrainian- American Sports Club” and elected to play ball under the colors red-and-black that con- tinue to adorn its players’ uni- forms to this very day. Distinguished Ukrainian ath- letes and sports enthusiasts, who had been active in their homeland and in various refu- gee camps in Europe, began to flock to Philadelphia. By 1955, Tryzub had 10 fully sanctioned teams that competed not only in soccer but also in such varied sports as volleyball, track-and- field, basketball and chess. The Club carried 112 registered athletes. Tryzub’s fledgling teams competed with distinction through their first five years. The volleyball team was Phila- delphia Recreation Center champion twice, while the chess team captured the Philadelphia Cup an equal number of times. Meanwhile, the soccer team captured the America Ukrainian newspaper Cup and became champion of a tournament held in New Brunswick, NJ. The Ukrainian sporting flame burns brightly. Tryzub’s eventual accomplishments in the sport of soccer can only be styled as legendary. The road to success began in 1956, when its amateur Ma- jors Division team was the fi- nalist for the coveted national U.S. Amateur Cup, losing a hotly contested championship game in St. Louis. The follow- ing year, under the team name “Philadelphia Ukrainian Na- tionals,” Tryzub entered the American Soccer League as a professional team and captured second place in 1957, losing only its matches against the powerful Uhrik Truckers. In 1960, a revitalized Ukrai- nian Nationals team took the U.S. soccer world by a six-year storm that rained champion- ships and fame onto the City of Philadelphia and its Ukrai- nian American community. In that time, “Our Team” (“Nasha Druzhyna”) captured four U.S. Open Cup professional Cham- pionships (1960, ’61, ’63, ’66) and lost in the finals once; they were crowned American Soc- cer League professional cham- pions all seven years. In the words of Philadel- phia Inquirer sports journalist Melvin Dursloy, “The best so- ccer team in the country, ob- viously suppressing some strong emotion, are the Phila- delphia Ukrainian Nationals.” In fact, this number of profes- sional championships also el- evates the Ukrainian Nation- als to the status of the most successful professional fran- chise in all of Philadelphia sports history. Tryzub was the first soccer team in the United States to have home games televised and played in the first indoor regu- lation soccer game in Atlantic City’s Convention Hall in New Jersey. Soccer teams from around the world visited Phila- delphia to play “Our Team”: Manchester United, England; Manchester City, England; Dundee, Scotland; Eintracht Frankfurt, West Germany; Stuttgart, West Germany; Tryzub’s Chess Masters (left to right): Ju. Koltun (director), A. Nowakiwskyj, R. Sawczak (director), M. Subtelnyj, N. Romanec (missing: B. Bachynskyj). Tryzub’s Chess Masters (from left): S. Nowakiwskyj, R. Sawczak, B. Bachynskyj, Ju. Koltun, (missing: M. Subtelnyj). The Ukrainian Nationals were the U.S. professional soccer champions in 1960, 1961, 1963 and 1966 — First row (left to right): Mike Noha, Ricardo Mangini, Ismael Ferreyra, Walt Chyzowych (U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame), I. Scott, E. Tatoyan; second row: Alex Ely (U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame), Ivan Borodjak, Nazar Warwariuk, Gene Krawetz, O. Ferreyra, Andy Racz, L. Oliver, K. Yakovino, O. Switch, Vistyslav Glisovic (coach and manager). Vienna, Austria, and many oth- ers. In 1967, the Ukrainian Na- tionals, the reigning national champions, represented the United States in international competition before 102,000 fans in El Salvador. All of the United States knew about the Philadelphia Ukrai- nian Nationals. Tryzub’s soccer UASC Tryzub representatives, Ihor Chyzowych and Jaroslaw Kozak, greet the reigning champions of Ukraine, Dnipropetrovsk “Dnipro” at a friendly match against Team USA held at Franklin Field, in Philadelphia — attendance: over 44,000 (1989).
Philadelphia. November 8,2010. Every milestone providesits celebrants an opportunity toreview past achievements andto set goals for a bright andprosperous future.
The year 2010 marks theUkrainian American Sport Cen-ter — Tryzub’s 60th anniver-sary. The Club’s accomplish-ments in the spheres of commu-nity service and sport are quiteremarkable, while its plans forthe future continue to exemplifyleadership and insight into theever-changing needs and demo-graphics of the UkrainianAmerican community.
The flame of Ukrainiansport finds a home in Phila-delphia. Initially organized in1949 as a branch of the Self-reliance Association, “The Uk-rainian Sports Club” played anumber of interesting exhibi-tion soccer matches against lo-cal professional teams. TheClub also formed a junior di-
UASC Tryzub: 60 championship
vision team. The PhiladelphiaSoccer League (PSL), in shortorder, sanctioned both teams forleague play.
Consequently, in March of1950, Tryzub’s pioneers calleda general organizational meet-ing. The assembly resolved tocharter the Ukrainian SportCenter (eventually renamed to“Ukrainian American SportCenter”) — Tryzub and electedits first Board of Directors andExecutive Committee. Theyregistered Tryzub’s soccerteams in the PSL as “Ukrainian-American Sports Club” andelected to play ball under thecolors red-and-black that con-tinue to adorn its players’ uni-forms to this very day.
Distinguished Ukrainian ath-letes and sports enthusiasts,who had been active in theirhomeland and in various refu-gee camps in Europe, began toflock to Philadelphia. By 1955,Tryzub had 10 fully sanctionedteams that competed not only insoccer but also in such variedsports as volleyball, track-and-field, basketball and chess. The
Club carried 112 registeredathletes.
Tryzub’s fledgling teamscompeted with distinctionthrough their first five years.
The volleyball team was Phila-delphia Recreation Centerchampion twice, while the chessteam captured the PhiladelphiaCup an equal number of times.Meanwhile, the soccer teamcaptured the America Ukrainiannewspaper Cup and becamechampion of a tournament heldin New Brunswick, NJ.
The Ukrainian sportingflame burns brightly. Tryzub’seventual accomplishments inthe sport of soccer can only bestyled as legendary.
The road to success beganin 1956, when its amateur Ma-jors Division team was the fi-nalist for the coveted nationalU.S. Amateur Cup, losing ahotly contested championshipgame in St. Louis. The follow-ing year, under the team name“Philadelphia Ukrainian Na-tionals,” Tryzub entered theAmerican Soccer League as aprofessional team and capturedsecond place in 1957, losingonly its matches against thepowerful Uhrik Truckers.
In 1960, a revitalized Ukrai-nian Nationals team took the
U.S. soccer world by a six-yearstorm that rained champion-ships and fame onto the Cityof Philadelphia and its Ukrai-nian American community. In
that time, “Our Team” (“NashaDruzhyna”) captured four U.S.Open Cup professional Cham-pionships (1960, ’61, ’63, ’66)and lost in the finals once; theywere crowned American Soc-cer League professional cham-pions all seven years.
In the words of Philadel-phia Inquirer sports journalistMelvin Dursloy, “The best so-ccer team in the country, ob-viously suppressing somestrong emotion, are the Phila-delphia Ukrainian Nationals.”In fact, this number of profes-sional championships also el-evates the Ukrainian Nation-als to the status of the mostsuccessful professional fran-chise in all of Philadelphiasports history.
Tryzub was the first soccerteam in the United States tohave home games televised andplayed in the first indoor regu-
lation soccer game in AtlanticCity’s Convention Hall in NewJersey. Soccer teams fromaround the world visited Phila-delphia to play “Our Team”:
Manchester United, England;Manchester City, England;Dundee, Scotland; EintrachtFrankfurt, West Germany;Stuttgart, West Germany;
Tryzub’s Chess Masters (left to right): Ju. Koltun (director), A.Nowakiwskyj, R. Sawczak (director), M. Subtelnyj, N. Romanec(missing: B. Bachynskyj).
Tryzub’s Chess Masters (from left): S. Nowakiwskyj, R. Sawczak,B. Bachynskyj, Ju. Koltun, (missing: M. Subtelnyj).
The Ukrainian Nationals were the U.S. professional soccer champions in 1960, 1961, 1963 and 1966 — First row (left toright): Mike Noha, Ricardo Mangini, Ismael Ferreyra, Walt Chyzowych (U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame), I. Scott, E. Tatoyan;second row: Alex Ely (U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame), Ivan Borodjak, Nazar Warwariuk, Gene Krawetz, O. Ferreyra, AndyRacz, L. Oliver, K. Yakovino, O. Switch, Vistyslav Glisovic (coach and manager).
Vienna, Austria, and many oth-ers. In 1967, the Ukrainian Na-tionals, the reigning nationalchampions, represented theUnited States in international
competition before 102,000fans in El Salvador.
All of the United States knewabout the Philadelphia Ukrai-nian Nationals. Tryzub’s soccer
UASC Tryzub representatives, Ihor Chyzowych and Jaroslaw Kozak, greet the reigning championsof Ukraine, Dnipropetrovsk “Dnipro” at a friendly match against Team USA held at Franklin Field,in Philadelphia — attendance: over 44,000 (1989).
The original Juniors soccer team that the Selfreliance Association organized in 1949 — First row(left to right): Ihor Chyzowych, O. Dubiwka, Bohdan Anniuk, R. Krywopusk, Gene Chyzowych;second row: P. Kotelbnyckyj (Manager), Zenon Procyk, Jaroslaw Kozak, B. Senyk, W. Andriuk,Walt Chyzowych (U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame), R. Prunko, W. Wolaniuk, O. Harasymowycz, W.Lukasewycz, B. Porytko (captain).
achievements are well docu-mented in the broadcast media,newspapers, sports magazines,soccer Web sites, the U.S. Soc-cer Hall of Fame (a fabulous
display) and even in the Ency-clopedia Britannica.
Above it all, however, theUkrainian Nationals broughtjoy, pride and self-esteem toUkrainians throughout Americaand even the entire world. At atime when the Russian occupi-ers were trying to eclipseUkraine and all aspects ofUkrainian heritage and culture,the incredible news keptstreaming about these Ukrai-nian Nationals (a constantsource of agitation for the So-viet Politburo, no doubt). Un-deniably, Tryzub was a signifi-cant factor in keeping alive notonly the flame of Ukrainiansport, but also the very Ukrai-nian name and identity.
The flame continues toburn. From the very beginning,
Tryzub placed high priorities onestablishing and maintaining ahome base and on active partici-pation in the broader Ukrainiancommunity. On North BroadStreet in the Logan section ofPhiladelphia, it purchased a par-cel of property upon which itdeveloped a modern clubhouseand hall. Club “Tryzub” becamea popular place for Ukrainiansto gather socially. It was a venuefor cultural, artistic and theatri-cal events. The Ukrainian com-munity used it frequently tomark personal and communitycelebrations, commemorationsand milestone events.
As such, Tryzub’s program-ming consisted of three divi-sions (“lanky”): housekeeping
Tryzub’s swim team that won the USCAK meet several times. Di-rector Eugene Zyblikewycz is on the far left.
and social, heritage and cul-tural affairs and activities, andprofessional soccer and ama-teur sports (soccer, volleyball,table tennis, golf, chess, track
and field and swimming). Al-though many adults have par-ticipated in these amateursports activities, developingthe Ukrainian youth was the
primary focus of the third ofthese three divisions.
The late 1960’s saw the col-lapse of the American SoccerLeague in the wake of theheavily funded North AmericanSoccer League. Despite a fewyears of success and a champi-onship in the highly competitiveGerman American League ofNew York, Tryzub decided toabandon its professional sportsfranchise in favor of a sharperfocus on amateur sports. Sincethat time Tryzub’s Majors Di-vision soccer team, a perennialPennsylvania State Championin either the U.S. Amateur or theU.S. Open Cup, or both, and itsother amateur teams, youth andadult, have captured numerous
championships and awards.Tryzub also rapidly realized
that owning its own sports fa-cility was an absolute necessityfor further growth and devel-opment. In 1978, it purchaseda 38-acre tract of land in Hor-sham, Pennsylvania. Countlessvolunteer hours by many Phila-delphia-area Ukrainian Ameri-cans developed this farm ofcorn fields into a modern sportsand social facility that includessix soccer fields, four tenniscourts, volleyball courts, aclubhouse, a social club andhall, parkland and a multi-pa-vilion forested festival stageand grove.
Once completed, “Tryzu-biwka” became home to ninesoccer teams, two volleyballteams, a chess team, a table-ten-nis team and a golf league. Soon
a swimming and a tennis teamjoined the roster. The highlylauded adult U.S. Majors Di-vision team became the heartand soul of the Ukrainian Na-tionals and continued, in mostyears, to march through theircompetition at the local UnitedSoccer League and Pennsylva-nia State Cup levels.
In 1988, “Tryzubiwka” hos-ted the first of three UkrainianDiaspora Olympiads and YouthRallies. It was an absolutelyperfect celebration of the Mil-lennium of Ukraine’s Chris-tianity. Close to 800 athletesand 12,000 spectators fromthroughout the free world par-
ticipated. The athletes proudlyrepresented 10 Ukrainian sportsand youth organizations. Thisinternational extravaganza gaveUkrainians, young and old, men
and women, an opportunity notonly to compete, but also to so-cialize and to develop lastingfriendships. Despite social andlogistical challenges that wouldoverwhelm others, Tryzubplanned and executed theevent with the precision of aSwiss watch.
A contemporaneous thaw inSoviet autocracy gave Tryzuban opportunity to re-establishdirect contacts and communica-tions with sports associations inUkraine. In 1990, a year beforeUkraine’s declaration of inde-pendence, Tryzub arranged forthe famed Lviv Karpaty soccerteam from Ukraine to tour theUnited States for a series of ex-hibition matches. A year later,Tryzub representatives, as partof a delegation sponsored by theUkrainian Sports Federation of
America and Canada (knownby its Ukrainian acronym —USCAK), joined other Ukrai-nian Diaspora sportsmen in amemorable tour of Ukraine.Meetings and celebrations withnumerous teams and sports as-sociations highlighted this veryemotional reunion with our an-cestral homeland.
Tryzub in the new millen-nium. Tryzub’s 50th anniver-sary in 2000 witnessed monu-mental improvements to the fa-cilities in the guise of a grandaddition to its clubhouse and
(Continued on p. 11)
Finalists for the U.S. Amateur National Cup (St. Louis, 1956) — (left to right): Walter Kudenko, Walt Chyzowych, P. Switenko, S.Czerniawskyj, Ivan Pawlichka, Jaroslaw Kozak, B. Senyk, Ihor Chyzowych, W. Wolaniuk, Gene Chyzowych, W. Marczuk, NazarWarwariuk, Walter Harasym.
The closing on “Tryzubiwka’s” purchase (1978) — sitting (left toright): B. Siryj, R. Sawczak (Pres.), J. Kozak, P. Tarnawsky; stand-ing: M. Kiczuha, W. Kril, R. Szwed, W. Korzenowskyj, O. Skulskyj,and S. Nowakiwskyj.
President Jimmy Carter congratulates Walter Chyzowych,America’s MVP soccer player in the years 1976-80.
social hall and a dramatic expan-sion and modernization of itskitchen. Tryzub also hosted itssecond highly successful Olym-piad and Youth Rally that year.
Tryzub recently also up-graded its electrical service andattached connections to munici-pal water and sewerage systems.Plans are set to develop an arti-ficial turf fully-lighted soccerfield to handle training and playin the winter and in inclementweather. Numerous other land-scaping upgrades are underway.
Much to its credit, Tryzub, in
the new millennium, also re-freshed its approach to gover-nance and development by seat-ing younger activists onto itsBoard and Executive Commit-tee. This initiative produced al-most immediate and lasting re-sults. “Tryzubiwka” is nowhome to no less than 29 youthteams in age brackets from Un-der-9 through Under-20, boysand girls. And, of course,Tryzub’s pride and joy, itsUkrainian Nationals MajorsDivision team, continues to bethe premier torchbearer.
A great number of Ukrainianboys and girls have graduatedfrom Tryzub’s extremely chal-lenging program and have goneon to excel, with scholarshipsin hand, in the soccer programsat their respective colleges anduniversities.
Tryzub has also had the fore-sight to weave its way into thefabric of its local community.The Township of Horsham andmany other communities thatsurround “Tryzubiwka” haveexpressed great gratitude toTryzub for its work and dedi-cation to youth sports and cul-tural and artistic programming.Tryzub has become a distinct,uniquely colorful and yet in-separable Ukrainian piece of itsbroader community. As in thedays of old, the Ukrainian Na-tionals keep the name and ideaof Ukraine alive in the minds ofmany non-Ukrainians.
In 2008 Tryzub hosted itsthird extremely successful
Olympiad that attracted over500 athletes from throughoutNorth America.
Moreover, the decade sawTryzub establish a MemorialWeekend Annual Youth SoccerTournament that hosts nearly200 teams at “Tryzubiwka” andfour other nearby venues. Thetournament has a national andeven an international reputation(teams from as far away asCanada and Bermuda have par-ticipated) for excellence and ahigh caliber of play.
On a social and communitylevel, Tryzub and its membershipcontinues to be active in theUkrainian community. “Try-zubiwka” is the place to whichUkrainian Americans flock to
(Continued from p. 9)
mark milestones in their ownlives and in the life of their com-munity. Tryzub’s UkrainianFolk Festival (scheduled nextyear for Sunday, Aug. 21) forinstance, annually marks theanniversary of Ukraine’s Inde-pendence. Nearly 2,000 peopleattend this fun-filled and enter-taining cultural event.
Many Happy Years! One ofthe greatest baseball hitters ofall time, Ted Williams, once toldan admiring public that successin sports, not unlike success inall aspects of life, is not a mat-ter of simple good luck, but amatter of hard work and prepa-ration meeting opportunity.There can be but little doubt thatTryzub’s record of excellencestems from Ted Williams’ schoolof thought and play.
Happy Birthday Tryzub! Bestwishes for a bright and prosper-ous future — Mnohaya Lita!
Current President of UASC“Tryzub” Jaroslaw Kozak.
Tryzub’s Annual Golf Outing (circa 2001).
Soccer veterans from the 1960’s — First row (left to right): un-known, S. Nowakiwskyj, Ju. Suchar, R. Kos, W. Terleckyj; secondrow: E. Karatnyckyj, J. Zmurkewycz, L. Stadnyckyj, B. Paladij,M. Kasian, J. Bahlaj, J. Bernardyn.
Tryzub Tennis Tournament (2006) — First row (left to right): I.Durbak, J. Tymkiw, B. Tatunchak, W. Dziwak; second row: S.Sosiak, Ju. Petrykewycz, I. Chyzowych, Ju. Hrabar, Ju. Sawczak(tennis director), T. Sawczak with daughter, I. Buhaj, A. Olynec.
Tryzub’s future — the youth teams (2010).
Tryzub volleyball team (1960’s) — First row (left to right); N.Kudenko, O. Mycholajiwska, L. Siletska, M. Zhubryd-Kasian;second row: I. Szumska-Moroz, M. Bak-Boychuk, D. Zawadowycz,E. Nowakiwska. Tryzub volleyball team (1960’s) — First row (left to right): E.
Kuropas, W. Sawczyn, L. Luczyn; second row: W. Zawadowycz,L. Tryceckyj, unknown, R. Badulak, Ihor Zajac.
UASC Tryzub: 60 championship yearsof memories and community service
