Oystein (Sandy) Ostebo’s initial involvement with soccer as a contributor was to help start the boy’s high school soccer program in the Corning -Painted Post School District. He served as the head coach of the boy’s varsity team from its inception in 1982 until 1999 recording over 150 victories. He was also instrumental in starting the girl’s soccer program and has served as Assistant Coach for the Corning-Painted Post Girl’s Varsity Soccer Team from 2000 until the present.

 

Sandy first became involved with the New York State West Youth Soccer Association (NYSWYSA) by helping several member local soccer clubs organize and start up including Jasper Troupsburg, Spencer Van Etten, Soaring Capital and Corning United.  From 1985 - 1999, he coached many different travel teams for Corning United. He currently holds USSF youth module coaching course diplomas and NSCAA National and Advanced National Coaching Licenses.

 

Sandy was elected to the NYSWYSA Board of Directors (BOD) as the Twin Tiers District Commissioner in 1988 serving in that capacity until 2004. During this time period, he became the guru/expert on the State Association’s insurance, policies and procedures, and bylaws. He also served 1 year as the Olympic Development Program (ODP) Administrator and 1 ½ years as the Interim Executive Director. Sandy has been actively involved with the Region I Boys ODP since 2000 serving as the administrator for numerous age group Identification Camps and regional team trips to foreign countries.

 

After a brief respite to spend time with his family and travel, Sandy was asked to take over as president in January 2005 during a particularly tumultuous time for the State Association. He helped stabilize the State Association and chart a new course for the organization. Sandy served as president until September 2006 after which he stayed on as the State Association’s Director of Public Affairs from 2006-2009. In this position, he coordinated the publication of the State Association newspaper, preparations for the Annual General Meetings, and marketing activities.

 

Not only was Sandy heavily involved with soccer, he had many other interests. He coached track and field in Corning from 1969 – 1999 recording over 150 dual meet wins and multiple league and sectional titles. He also coached high school skiing, indoor track and cross country (running) for several years. As a certified ski instructor, Sandy taught many local people how to cross-country ski.  He has served on the BOD for numerous not-for-profit organizations, is active with his church, and currently serves as the president of the Corning-Painted Post Sports Hall of Fame.

 

Past NYSWYSA President and United States Youth Soccer Association Secretary, Tony Buiniskis, said this of Sandy.  "I have had the pleasure and honor of knowing Sandy for almost twenty years. Initially, I met Sandy when I was elected Syracuse District Commissioner. He impressed me with his knowledge of the game and passion for working with the children of the State Association and his girls’ high school soccer team. Our relationship grew when I was elected President of the NYSWYSA. I needed someone that was concerned with improving the game and the services provided to the players by the State Association. Never shying away from any task, Sandy filled that requirement. If you needed help with the budget, Sandy was there offering sound advice on how and where to spend the “kids” money. When the NYSWYSA selected its first State Coach, he served on the selection committee and supported a decision that was questioned by many, because he knew it was the correct one. In addition to his other duties, when the NYSWYSA inaugurated the newspaper “Striker West”, he served as the liaison/editor with the publisher."

 

Sandy retired from the NYSWYSA to spend more time with his wife Donnalynn at their camp at Lake Lamoka, traveling and with his children. However, when the NYSWYSA found itself in need of someone to assume the leadership of the organization, he willingly stepped in until an elected replacement could be found and a proper transition was completed. He continues to assist with the coaching of the girls’ soccer team in his home town as well as his involvement with his church and administering the Region I Boys ODP Soccer Camp. I can think of no one more deserving of selection to the NYSWYSA Hall of Fame than my friend Osytien (Sandy) Ostebo.

 

Joe Madero, Past NYSWYSA President and current head of the US Youth Soccer Region 1 ODP Boy’s Committee, speaking of Sandy said  "he has been one of my Region 1 Boys ODP Identification Camp Directors for the past five years and he has done a fantastic job. Sandy is very thorough and committed to getting the job done in the right way thereby earning the respect of the coaches and administrators at the regional level. Sandy has also taken one of the Regional teams abroad during that time frame. The coaches love working with him because he’s so thorough, and as a former coach, he understands their needs. I’ve worked with Sandy for the past 22 years and I have never known a finer gentleman. He has been a credit to the NYSWYSA and Region."

 

Sandy is originally from Oslo, Norway where he played for “Skeid” a youth travel soccer club.  After coming to the USA, he attended SUNY Binghamton where he received his BS in Math/Science. While at SUNY Binghamton, Sandy was a 2-year varsity starter on the men’s soccer team and also earned 2 varsity letters in Track & Field. He became a US citizen in May of 1968 and earned a MS in Education from SUNY Brockport in 1969. Sandy retired from teaching math at Corning East High School in 1999 after 34 years of service and now resides in Painted Post, NY with his wife Donnalynn of 48 years. They have two grown children, Lisbet and Rebecca, 3 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.