Virginia & Paul Shapiro

1971-1983

Virginia and Paul Shapiro were inducted into the Randolph Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018 for their significant contributions to the development of youth soccer in Randolph from 1971 to 1983. As founders of the Randolph Youth Soccer Program, they played a pivotal role in introducing soccer at Randolph High School and fostering a vibrant youth soccer community that began in 1972 on the Fernbrook and Ironia fields. Their leadership addressed numerous challenges, including field quality, budgeting, uniforms, and garnering support from the Randolph Board of Education. Under their guidance, the RHS Soccer team achieved remarkable success, becoming State Sectional Champions in 1978, and by 1979, the program had grown to include over 700 youth players. Paul Shapiro also served as the first Commissioner of the North Jersey Junior Soccer League, while Virginia established the RHS Soccer Booster Club, further solidifying their legacy in Randolph's athletic history.

Contributions

• Founders of the Randolph Youth Soccer Program

• Leaders of the effort to introduce soccer at RHS

• Youth soccer began 1972, on the Fernbrook and Ironia "fields"

• Solved many problems: quality of fields, budgets, uniforms, players, support from the Randolph BOE

• In 1978, the RHS Soccer team were State Sectional Champions

• By 1979, there were over 700 youth soccer players in Randolph

• Paul was first Commissioner of North Jersey Junior Soccer League

• Virginia started the RHS Soccer Booster Club