
the fly has heard claims that the Maroons Soccer Clubs business practices fall far short …….
The fly has learned that many in town claim the Maroons organization that provides the competitive youth soccer program for Ridgewood, is currently being run as a personal fiefdom by Paul Boogaert (President) and others on the Board of Trustees. Sources say a few self-serving Trustees run the organization as they please, for their own personal gain or to protect their (and some of their fellow Trustees’) personal interests.
If you don’t know the Maroons are a 501(c)(3) organization, co-sponsored and heavily supported by Ridgewood, serving hundreds of our town’s families. The odd thing is all these people who never played a sport are suddenly clamoring to be on the board of the travel soccer program in town? Is it just a thirst for local power or as critics have called it joining the “sports mafia” . Some join boards to protect there child or some say promote their child at the expense of yours .
Sources claim the Maroons Board has engaged in improper elections aimed at stacking the Board ; many “red flag” financial irregularities ;improper (and undisclosed) Board compensation; self-dealing ; conflicts of interest and interested party transactions.The Board even let the 501(c)(3) lapse yet the when questioned the Board has been known to bring in lawyers . These are serious allegations that a simple audit would put to rest .
Business as usual for these Ridgewood sports groups.
History repeats itself….who can forget when the head of the baseball organization embezzled $80K (circa 1991)…?
I like the term “sports mafia” it has been this way since my daughter played some years ago and i do not believe it will change.
I don’t think the Maroons serve “hundreds of families” . . . the serve a select few . And the Maroons are a club whose membership includes many non-Ridgewoodians.
Legends in their own minds.
Do you think that Lax is any different? Those that controlled lax for years have high school kids who never get any play time because – they never were any good at the sport. The dads controlled the travel teams for the benefit of their boys. Now that the dads are on the sidelines the kids are on the bench. Thank God for no cut teams.
They controlled the kiddie football too so their kids saw lots of play time there. Lots of boys wanted to play but if dad was not one or the six coaches (who worked out together because they thought that they were young bucks) they never got onto the field.
Youth sports in Ridgewood are all about the parents.
And this is “news” to who??? Many years ago, the Maroons may have been considered relevant. But now, if you want your kid to learn soccer, tryout for one of the many clubs in the more competitive leagues that have emerged. A greater commitment and more money, but a better experience overall.
The Maroons used to be a completely private club and through manipulation got themselves under the Parks and Rec department. In the past they would get fields to use if they were available which is fine or have to travel and use other towns fields which most parents were to lazy to do. Now as being under the Parks umbrella they want more and more field time.
Is Fast Eddie involved somehow ?