Local athletes get their kicks at Ramos Center BY JOHN SUTTON Correspondent PHOTOSBYSCOTT PILLING staff Clockwise from top: Joe Nagel, of Middletown, warms up for a Friday afternoon adult soccer league, one of the many leagues that the Tab Ramos Sports Center, Aberdeen, offers to players of all ages. The pro shop carries a wide array of hockey sticks along with many types of sports equipment. The rink at the Tab Ramos Sports Center is not only used for roller hockey, but basketball and field hockey, much like the Aberdeen center's other multipurpose amenities. ABERDEEN - When the name Tab Ramos comes up in sports circles, it's usually in reference to his prolific international and professional soccer career. However, the name evokes a different type of conversation in Monmouth County. The Tab Ramos Sports Center, a multipurpose sports and recreation facility in Aberdeen, is what the former U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year is now known for locally. After many years of operation, the center continues to upgrade and expand to accommodate a growing base of customers. Chris Gosha, the facility's general manager and hockey director, sees the blend of the famous name, which Ramos gives to the center along with the flexibility that the center offers to athletes of all ages. "Tab has an office here, and is usually here Monday through Friday," Gosha said. "He is very fan friendly; he will make appearances for some of the leagues. He wants to do anything that's good for the business." The aspect of the sports center that Gosha stresses the most is its ability to provide a wide variety of programs in a small area. The roller hockey rink is not only used for hockey, but basketball, lacrosse and field hockey. The soccer field also is a multipurpose facility as it is used for both soccer and flag football. There is even a batting cage next to the hockey rink, which can also be used for hockey lessons. The soccer field also represents the center's ability to stay on the cutting edge, just as its namesake, Ramos, was when he was the first player to sign with Major League Soccer as a member of the New York/New Jersey Metrostars in 1997. The turf surface was the first of its kind when it was implemented 10 years ago, Gosha said. The artificial turf gives the feel of running on real grass to help prevent injuries and strain that older forms of turf can yield. The surface was even used as a model when Giants Stadium wanted to install a similar type of turf to their facility, Gosha said. Representatives from the stadium came into the center to observe the surface and model theirs after that of the Tab Ramos Sports Center. Beyond the various opportunities that the center creates for the sports fan, there are also amenities for those just looking for a party. The center is now converting its pro shop into a conference room that can also be used for, as Gosha put it, "girlie parties." The goal here is to expand its target audience to those who might not have had much to do when visiting the center in the past. They have also been able to host bar mitzvahs, proms, graduations and regularly hosted birthday parties. Gosha said that the eventual goal of the center is to open up another facility. He said he is willing to pursue anything that can be done to meet the customers' needs, and is not afraid to experiment and fail because there is always something that he and the center can learn from the experience. "It is not a matter of failing when we try something new," Gosha said. "It is always a test and a learning experience. We will keep going at it, we will try it, and if it doesn't go well, we will fix it. It's all about the customer's needs." The Tab Ramos Sports Center is located at 17 Blair Road. For more information, visit www.tabramossportscenter.com.