“LET THE GAMES BEGIN!” That’s the traditional phrase that has been proclaimed at the start of each AYSO National Games since the very first venue location in Irvine, CA, in 1988. These words will start off the week-long celebration that brings together AYSO players, volunteers and parents from across the country.
The genesis of the National Games is typically AYSO. It started as a “good idea” and took the strength of “Volunteer Power” to pull it off.
The AYSO National Games were the brainchild of Mike Michalski, then an Area 10B Director from West Hills, CA. Mike had been putting on successful tournaments for California players, coaches and referees for years. He had a “Vision” to share the good times and FUN with more players and volunteers and proposed to the AYSO National Board of Directors a diverse and sportsmanship centric competition, which paved the way for the National Games. He assembled a team of diligent, dedicated and daring men and women from AYSO’s volunteer corps and the National Office Staff – many of whom are still active with AYSO today – and made it happen.
Trademark events like Opening Ceremonies, SoccerFest and Sportsmanship Recognition were all there back in 1988. Over the years, each of the venue locations have added a bit of their own “spirit” and “culture” into the legacy of the National Games.
The National Games is everything good about AYSO and reflects the excellence, tradition and spirit of our players, volunteers and spectators.
“Let the Games Continue!”
HISTORY OF THE AYSO NATIONAL GAMES
YEAR Location Venue Chair
1988 Irvine, CA Mike Michalski
1989 Irvine, CA Mike Michalski
1990 Irvine, CA Mike Michalski
1992 Torrance, CA Mike Michalski / Frank Scotto
1994 Irvine, CA Geri Jensen
Kalamazoo, MI Sheppy Doume
Oahu, HI Harry Lee
San Jose, CA Gopala Krishnan
1996 Kalamazoo, MI Nancy Hinga
1998 Ontario, CA Jody Gmeiner
2000 Albuquerque, NM Kailyn McCarthy
2001 West Point, NY Irwin Kavy
2002 Oahu, HI Max Sword
2004 Lancaster, CA Charlie Johnson
2006 Chicago, IL David Keller
2008 Oahu, HI Alan Heu/Maynard Pang
2010 West Palm Beach, FL Wendy Smith / Irwin Kavy
2012 Knoxville, TN Dianne Stratton
2014 Torrance / Riverside, CA Larry Caplinger
2016 West Palm Beach, FL Wendy Smith
2019 Oahu, HI Brendan Cravalho
2023 Irvine, CA Section 11
2025 Irvine, CA Section 11