Jericho Jay Sox Manager, Tom Goren, has been named as the first annual Manager of the Year by the National Junior Baseball League's Umpires' Associations. Goren was selected ahead of over 200 managers who manage teams in the NJBL. Goren was honored at the Leagues' year-end dinner in Smithtown on Monday, Nov. 5.

Before a crowd of over 100 people including League officials and umpires, Goren was introduced to the crowd by the League's Umpire in Chief Craig Roberts. Roberts told the crowd, "If you're an umpire and you have trouble with the manager, coaches or players at a game managed by Tom Goren, then you must be the one with the problem."

Goren in his remarks to the crowd noted, "It is an honor for me to accept this award, but I would not be here today without the incredible support of so many people behind the scenes. I would first like to thank my wife Lisa for not only putting up with me, but in working as team administrator behind the scenes. She handles all of the administration for the three teams I manage, and, for anyone who has had to notify all players and parents of games and practices, collect fees, and order uniforms, you know how thankless the work of a team administrator can be. As most of you know, I manage three teams, the 15- and the 12-year-olds who play in the spring and fall, and a 15-year-old team made up of young men from Jericho and Syosset in the summer. I receive tremendous assistance from a group of men who assist me in coaching the 3 teams. Peter Hakim and Bruce Newman assist me with the spring/fall 15-year-old team. In the summer, Eric Watson puts in countless hours assisting without a child on the team. Bill Coyle and Kevin Pollack help with the 12-year-olds. Again, these men do not even have children on the team, yet they devote their time and efforts to help these boys. I am also extremely fortunate to have what I would consider the best group of parents for both teams and I thank them for their unwavering support and assistance. I have received tremendous support from the Jericho Athletic Association. President Jack Schnitt, head of Travel Sports Joel Sweetbaum, and head of Travel Baseball Frank Davis, have made sure that my teams have had everything they have needed to be successful. Also, I have been blessed with not just a good, but a great group of young men who love to play baseball. Jericho has not been known as a baseball town in many years, but, as I told my players, they are about to change how people view Jericho Baseball in the future."

Goren concluded by thanking the league commissioner Frank Sullivan and his staff, and the umpires. Goren noted that the NJBL is the best youth baseball league of its kind because of the incredible passion and dedication Commissioner Sullivan and his staff devote to the league. As for the umpires, Goren noted, "You are one of the main reasons the NJBL is such a great league. If a game is scheduled, the umpires are always present, they act in a professional manner, and it is clear that they do it for the love of the children involved and the love of the game." Goren concluded his remarks by noting, "I would like to thank you all for this honor. You have given my two sons, Jeffrey and Michael, a great place to play baseball, you have given all the boys I have coached a great place to play baseball, and, selfishly, you have given me a wonderful place to spend time with my two boys, their friends and teammates as I have watched them all grow and develop into fine young men. I am honored to accept this award, and I will always cherish the friendships and bonds I have developed doing something I love to do."

Goren, who grew up in Massachusetts, was a three-year starter at Taunton High School, where he pitched and played 1st base. In his senior year, he led his Conference in wins and batting average. He was the Ted Williams Camp Scholarship recipient to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Goren also played 2 seasons of semi-pro baseball for the Bridgewater (Ma.) entry in the Cranberry League. Goren managed a group of 15-18-year-olds in Bethpage for 2 seasons. Those teams won consecutive East Meadow Senior League championships. Goren then began coaching his own children, Jeffrey and Michael, in the Jericho Athletic Association's intramural program. He was selected to manage the Jericho Jay Sox travel team in 2001. He has led that team to 3 NJBL titles, including this fall season, and a .695 winning percentage since its inception. In 2005, Goren was asked to take on the added responsibility of managing a 2nd team. The younger Jay Sox have won 2 consecutive fall League titles and finished 2nd three times. They currently sport a .750 winning percentage.

When reached at his home for comment, Goren said, "I'm having the time of my life coaching these young men. I share this honor with all of them and I hope they are as proud of me as I am of them!"