Leonard A. Taylor has been a highly-respected & influential figure in the United States soccer culture since the late 1960's and was honored with the Black Soccer Membership Association Lifetime Achievement Award, August 18, 2019
For 15 years, Lenny excelled as a standard-bearer for the Brooklyn community, where he first graced the Boys' High Field as a standout forward, then won a scholarship to New York City CC receiving All-American Honors, leading to a scholarship at LIU where his goal-scoring genius took center-stage. His Herculean college feats impressed the NASL's New York Cosmos who drafted their local hero who became an exceptional Ambassador for the Cosmos brand both as a pro and later as a clinician in their world-famous soccer camps.
In his final college years, Lenny embraced soccer-education and qualified himself to accept a role as Assistant Coach at City College of New York (1973-1975). Between 1975-1980 he would repurpose Medgar Evers College's Sports-History, with a 44-15-5 record and the 1979 ECAC Championship. During this period, he embraced the role of sports, education & personal development in Brooklyn forming Tafari United/Team Jamaica which won countless championships and were widely considered the premier soccer attractions in New York City's Caribbean communities. As mentor, he facilitated countless youths attending college to improve their lives. Lenny received his USSF 'A' License in 1978.
South Florida warmly received his talents and in the early 1980's he formed Lauderhill Lions Club whose U19 won 2 State Championships and were considered one of America's Best Youth Teams while the Men's team also excelled. Embracing his role with Southern New York State Soccer Association and as a Florida Youth State Association Instructor teaching USSF 'D', 'E' & 'F' Licenses Lenny has mentored over 10,000 coaches in his tenure and further undertook National assignments with St. Vincent & Grenadines FA as the head coach and later St. Kitts & Nevis FA as the Technical Director. It is well-noted that he revolutionized the soccer cultures in both Associations culminating with a SVGFA Senior Team Gold Cup appearance and the introduction of the SKNFA Coaching Education Program which continues to copiously bear fruit.
