:::: COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER
Love of Sport
Leads to 4S Ranch Soccer League’s Growth by ZEENA GREGG
Special to 92127 Magazine
T
he leaders of 4S Ranch Youth Soccer Association – started in 2004 – have a whole lot in common. Babak Azad, president and founder, saw the need for a youth soccer organization in the community, and together with his wife, Cybele, stepped forward to make it happen. To get things going, the Azads distributed flyers at Stone Ranch Elementary and registered families in the back of his truck parked near the local Starbucks. These grassroots efforts led to an impressive 300 registrations back then, but a true testament to their hard work is that the association now has more than 1,000 participants. “The enormous amount of time that this has taken from me and my family as well as the rest of our volunteers is always rewarded best when during the practices and games we see smiling and laughing children of all ages having a great time player soccer right here in our neighborhood,” Azad said. Azad’s love of soccer began as a child as he grew up with street soccer in his hometown of Tehran, Iran – and later played soccer while attending high school in Memphis, Tenn. When he’s not involved in soccer, Azad’s other hobbies include reading, music, scuba diving, hiking, boating, and spending quality family time with his wife and four children. Azad also considers his job (he’s CEO of his own biotechnical company, DNAmicroarray Inc.) a hobby as well. Like Azad, Ben Russ, currently serving as the soccer organization’s vice president, also grew up with soccer – playing the sport for most of his life. Russ initially signed up as a coach in the first spring season in 2005, attended a board meeting shortly thereafter and has been with the club coaching and serving on the board ever since. “My biggest accomplishment has been helping to grow the club each and every year,” said Russ. Also a family man, Russ is married to wife Kara, and has five children. 4S Ranch Soccer has two leagues: A recreational league open to all players regardless of skill level or where they live (www.4sranchsoccer. com) and a competitive division, the 4S Avengers (www. avengerssoccer.com) that play in the San Diego Presidio league. ¢
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92127 Magazine
Volunteer Name: Age: Residence: Volunteer Affliation:
Babak Esmaeli-Azad (above right) 50 4S Ranch / Ryland Heritage 4S Ranch Youth Soccer Association, President and Founder Family Information: Married (Cybele), 4 children Professional Info: Founder and CEO, DNAmicroarray Inc.
Volunteer Name: Age: Residence: Volunteer Affliation:
Ben Russ (above left) 41 4S Ranch 4S Ranch Youth Soccer Association, VIce President Family Information: Married (Kara), 5 children Professional Info: Ph.D. Chemical Engineer and Program Manager, General Atomics
Organization Name: 4S Ranch Youth Soccer Association Group’s Purpose: Youth Soccer Contact Information: www.4SRanchSoccer.com www.AvengerSoccer.com
May | June 2011
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