Wisconsin Soccer Central

After nine years at the helm of the Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association, Peter Mariahazy stepped down as the organization's president Monday.

But Mariahazy isn't leaving youth soccer. He resigned his WYSA position because he was elected treasurer of U.S. Youth Soccer over the weekend, and the group's bylaws prohbit Board members from holding state officer or director positions.

Vice president Terry Donini will become the new president of the WYSA, which is the governing body for nearly every club in the state. Mariahazy moved up from WYSA vice president to president in 2006 to succeed Bill Podewils, who is on the U.S. Youth Soccer Board of Directors as the Region II Chair/Representative.

Mariahazy won the election for a two-year term as treasurer in what he called a "close" vote at the U.S Youth Soccer Annual General Meeting in Tulsa, Okla., held in conjunction with the organization's National Championships.

"The WYSA is in a great place for the future," Mariahazy wrote in an email to WYSA Board and staff members. "We have independent recognition from (the U.S. Soccer Federation). We have a state staff I would put up against any in the country for overall skill, dedication and perspective. That said, there are many opportunities for Wisconsin Youth Soccer to grow, improve and enhance services to our membership and the abilities within ourselves. I look forward to watching with pride the continued development of what is done to promote soccer in Wisconsin.

"Wisconsin can be proud of the great reputation and esteem we are held in nationally. This is evidenced by the fact that the past two WYSA presidents now serve on the U.S. Youth Soccer National Board. Keep up the good work."

Mariahazy, who grew up in the Chicago, got involved with soccer administration in Wisconsin shortly after his family moved to Menasha in 1990.

A former coach and referee, he served on the Menasha Area SC Board of Directors. As club president, he negotiated a 50-year lease for the organization's main complex along with an agreement with the city to add three more soccer fields.

Mariahazy joined WYSA in 2000 as sanctioning director, and was elected treasurer in 2001 and vice president in 2006. He's served on several U.S. Youth Soccer national committees and was inducted into the Wisconsin Soccer Hall of Fame in March.