St. Leon Sports Association
The Armenian Churches Sports Association began play in October 1967. St Leon joined the league a few years later. The league consisted of boys basketball players, ages 14-18 from the various New York & New Jersey churches which became known as the Senior Boys Division.
Our current Coaches are:
Girls- Robert Kachikian, Talin Young, Barry Halejian, Taline Najarian, George Kachajian
Junior Boys – Vicken Jessourian, Michael Hachadourian
Senior Boys – Vicken Jessourian, Glenn Kaprelian, Brian Assadourian
Men – Dennis Tarzian, Nubar Kasaryan
The season generally runs from October to March with games played on most Sundays except for holiday weekends. Games are played in both New Jersey and New York with St Leon’s gym hosting many of the New Jersey games.
Our Mission and Values
In the late 1970s, the Junior Boys Division, ages 9-14 in 1976, and the Girls Division, ages 11-18 in 1977 were formed and then in 1989 the Men’s Division, ages 19+ was established.
This season marks the 51 st season of ACSA basketball. The league recently celebrated its 50 th anniversary with a dinner dance held at St Leon’s on September 30 th , 2017.
Over the years, St Leon’s has dominated the Girls division, winning 23 championships. The first title came in 1980 and was the beginning of 8 consecutive championships. From 1980 until 2008, the Girls won the title 22 times in 29 years. They have won it once since 2008, winning it all in 2016.
The Junior Boys teams won their first championship in 1996. Overall they have won the title 5 times, last winning it all in 2008.
The Senior Boys teams won their first championship in 1980. Overall they have won the title 11 times, last winning it all in 2012. From 2004 – 2012 they won the title 7 times in 9 years.
The Men have yet to win a championship.
Past commissioners that represented St Leon’s included James Soojian in 1974-75, Martin Kapoian in 1975-77, and George Kachajian in 1990-94 & 1997-98. Current rep Robert Sarajian was commissioner from 1983-86 representing St Thomas at the time. He is also the current League Secretary and St Leon’s representative. The other current representative is Vicken Jessourian.
