The Christopher Kulaga Memorial Scholarship was establised in 2003
in memory of Chris Kulaga who was a long time member of the East
Fishkill Soccer Club.
Chris started playing for East Fishkill Soccer club at 5 years old
and played Travel soccer for 10 years, most notably for the '77 Bombers
where he served as team captain and also played for the East Hudson Select
program. The EFSC '77 Bombers
were as successful a team on the field as
off. Chris led the Bombers to successful participation in the Connecticut
Junior Soccer League Premier level league, several East Hudson league
titles and extensive engagements/success across the nation from USA Cup,
Minnesota, to Brossard, Canada, Virginia, Pocono Cup, Charles River Premier
Cup, Liberty Cup and a host of other major tournaments. He won the EFSC
U16 Boys Sportsmanship Award for exemplary behavior and leadership, an
outstanding player and a gracious winner and gracious loser. Chris Kulaga
also played varsity soccer at John Jay HS for three years and was heavily
recruited by college coaches.
But more important than their successes on the field, the ’77 Bombers
were a family. Well after their playing days in EFSC are over, the
families and players still get together and enjoy each others company.
They embody the true spirit of soccer. The young men of the ‘77 Bombers
grew up together and became fine gentlemen in our community. Chris
attended SUNY New Paltz and received a Baccalaureate degree in Accounting
in 1999. Chris went on to graduate from NY State Police Academy in 2000.
Chris's dream was to work with children and serve his community and he
accomplished both of these dreams in his short life. Chris chose to serve
in the South Bronx as a police officer. He worked with the kids in the
neighborhood there through the PBA. On June 27, 2002, he lost his life as
he returned home from an evening of work. His family and friends will
remember him always and have offered a scholarship to an EFSC player who
displays the same enthusiasm for life, soccer, family and community.
Christopher Ulanmo Memorial Scholarship
The Christopher Ulanmo Memorial Scholarship was establised in 2009
in memory of Chris Ulanmo who was a life long member of the East
Fishkill Soccer Club.
Chris was born on May 20, 1992 and in his short sixteen years of life touched so many by his warmth, friendliness and generosity of love. He spent his kindergarten and elementary years at Myers Corners School where he received the Excellence in Science Award and the Good Citizenship & Responsibility Award. His junior years were spent at Van Wyck Junior High where he was in all honors classes. He attended John Jay High School and was enrolled in some honors classes, AP & college coursework until his untimely death as an eleventh grader in an automobile accident, while visiting with friends.
He had recently been inducted into the Mu Alpha Theta National Math Honor Society at John Jay. Chris enjoyed playing piano and soccer. He was a life long member of the East Fishkill Soccer Club. He played Intramural since the age of four and graduated to the Travel Soccer Program where he played with the East Fishkill Flames, now the East Fishkill Warriors B-U17 team. He was a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) certified referee as well. He also served as a junior camp counselor with the East Fishkill Recreational organization.
Chris was a kind, happy, fun loving, giving and intelligent person, who had a positive influence on everyone he knew. He was generous, loved family, community and had many friends. Chris was a teenager with a promising future and the ability to become anything, which was displayed through a wide array of talents. He aspired to become a doctor, because he believed in humanity and service to others. Sadly, this promising future will not be realized. Family and friends have established the Christopher M C Ulanmo scholarship to honor his life by making this scholarship available to college bound high school seniors who exemplify generosity, intelligence, goodwill, a love for life and unity; embodied in teamwork.
