Number of Participants: 240
Hours Donated: 5
Value of Time Served: $10,140
Event Type: Civic & Community
Sport: Soccer
School: Horace Greeley High School
Date: September 2, 2024
Location:
Horace Greeley High School
Roaring Brook Road, Chappaqua
NY
About:
High school soccer players from across Westchester County (six boys teams : Horace Greeley, Harrison, New Rochelle, Ossining, Sleepy Hollow, North Salem and six girls teams: Horace Greeley, Byram Hills, New Rochelle, Pleasantville, Valhalla, John Jay-Cross River) gathered at Horace Greeley High School for a special cause: supporting pediatric brain tumor research. The event was held in memory of Casey Taub, a former Horace Greeley student who tragically lost his life to a brain tumor at the age of 16, seven years ago.
Jonathan Taub, Casey’s father and Assistant Coach for the Horace Greeley Varsity Soccer Team, reflected on his commitment to the cause: “After Casey passed, I vowed to do everything possible to raise money to help other families facing similar battles with brain tumors.”
Casey’s love for soccer at Horace Greeley inspired the creation of the Casey Taub Memorial Soccer Jamboree six years ago. The jamboree focuses on the joy of the game rather than competition—no scores are kept, and the emphasis is on camaraderie and remembering Casey. “This event is about playing soccer for the love of the game and maintaining the friendships we’ve built,” said Camp Schropshire, Head Coach of the Horace Greeley Soccer Team.
The jamboree has grown significantly over the years, with more high schools participating and the addition of girls’ teams last year. Esme Weiss, a captain of the Girls’ Soccer Team at Horace Greeley, emphasized the event’s impact: “[We’re] able to spread Casey’s love and memory to everyone now.”
The community’s support has been a source of pride for Jonathan Taub. “I’m fortunate to live in a town that’s been incredibly supportive,” he shared. “My goal is to keep Casey’s memory alive for those who knew him and even for those who didn’t. I’ll continue to do that as long as I can.”
Casey’s memory continues to be honored not just through soccer but across various sports. “We’ve expanded this to include lacrosse teams, and the club is growing,” said Stella Potenza, another captain of the Girls’ Soccer Team. Ryder Goodman, a captain of the Boys’ Soccer Team, added, “We wear Casey’s name on our practice jerseys all year long. So, while today focuses on him, we think about him all year.”
The jamboree, now known as the Casey Taub Memorial 22:22 Soccer Jamboree, began shortly after Casey’s passing in July 2017 from Glioblastoma, a type of fatal brain tumor. The event was named after a significant moment during the first game held in Casey’s honor: at 22:22 on the scoreboard, Greeley scored, coinciding with Casey’s jersey number, 22.
For those interested in supporting the cause, donations can be made directly to The Matthew Larson Foundation for Pediatric Brain Tumors. The community’s efforts in keeping Casey’s memory alive have undoubtedly made a lasting impact, both on and off the field.
