CISCO LOVED THE GAME OF SOCCER. There wasn’t a day in his life that Cisco didn’t think about the game. Family, Friends, co-workers, business associates, and all who had the pleasure to deal with Cisco shall never forget his never ending Passion for the game.

This passion for the game eventually brought him to serve as Vice-President for Sports at Newark’s Sport Club Portuguese (SCP). Through his efforts, Cisco was fundamental in helping to re-establish SCP as one of the premier men’s Amateur teams in the Region.
One of the oldest and most storied soccer organizations in this state’s history was once again a driving force, thanks mostly to this remarkable human being.       

Cisco understood that no one can do everything by themselves. While it is true that Cisco did everything and anything necessary to help the team at SCP, CISCO BELIEVED IN PARTNERSHIPS. Cisco was constantly attempting to get more people involved in the game here in the U.S. so that it could one day become a “major sport” in this country. Cisco worked hard to help the NJSSA develop a highly competitive Champions League. This man also worked hard to develop and maintain a relationship with MLS’s NY/NJ Metro stars  because he was a firm believer that a” high tide lifts all boats”.

While Cisco’s work on the Men’s Level was significant, his legacy will undoubtedly be his attempts to establish a complete soccer development organization at SCP and the unprecedented youth movement he helped to launch at the club. CISCO BELIEVED IN THE NEED TO SERVE YOUTH. Cisco firmly believed that if the game was ever going to make it in this country, the soccer mad immigrant communities had to embrace youth soccer and lend it its’ expertise so that “our” country could develop the best players possible.  

Cisco “opened the doors” of SCP to youth soccer. The standard bearer of the Portuguese Community had never had a youth program; Cisco changed that in a big way. When Cisco arrived at SCP, the Club had one mediocre men’s team. As we gather here this evening, SCP, in additional to a top level men’s premier team has 14 other  teams covering all ages (including the first ever girls teams at SCP) , 5 of which play in the premier youth league in the country, the USL’s Super Y League. 

Before his untimely passing, Cisco was working feverishly to establish a stable program that would give youngsters a chance to play soccer at the highest possible level. It was his dream that through our efforts kids could get college Scholarships and possibly even become professional soccer players. He also wanted all Champions League teams to implement similar programs.

We are glad to report that CISCO’S DREAM IS ALIVE. This Foundation was formed to assist in the fulfillment of that dream, and we look forward to working with all you so that we can make Cisco’s dream a reality and have the game of soccer reach its true potential not only in the State of New Jersey, but across this great country.  We hope you enjoy the evening!!! 

Sincerely Yours,

The Trustees

Louis Nogueira           Albert Coutinho   Jimmy da Rosa   Carlos Nobre   Nuno Santos   Paula Baptista               
Connie Rebelo            Jack Costa            Joe Manso           Luis Janota     Carlos Santos 

CISCO DA ROSA BIOGRAPHY