On February 16, 2023, the Marlboro and Rutgers communities lost an extraordinary young man, Max Spivak, in a tragic hit-and-run accident. The outpouring of love at his funeral—where hundreds gathered to honor him and support his family—reflected just how deeply he impacted those around him.

On behalf of all those whose lives have been touched by the Spivak and Rizzi families, we are seeking to create a lasting tribute to Max: a dedicated place where friends, family, and community members can come together to remember and honor his 21 beautiful years of life.

Max was a leader both on and off the soccer field, driven by a constant desire to be part of something bigger than himself. His energy and positivity made him an exceptional teammate, friend, son, brother, and trainer—someone who left a lasting impression on everyone around him.

His journey of impacting hundreds of young soccer players at CTR began in the grassroots fields of Marlboro, where his love for the game first took shape. Max started playing recreational soccer at just five years old. His passion quickly grew, leading him to join the Marlboro travel program at age seven, where he became a proud member of the MSA Mavericks.

Max was driven by a constant desire to improve his game. During his time in Marlboro, he absorbed a tremendous amount of knowledge from spending countless hours around his older brothers on the MSA Warriors team. His determination and work ethic ultimately earned him an honorary spot with the Warriors during their run to a National Championship in 2016.

The team embraced Max as a younger brother, and that bond helped shape him into an exceptionally technical and confident player. A devoted Real Madrid supporter, Max looked up to Cristiano Ronaldo, drawing inspiration from his style and discipline. That admiration translated into his own play, where his skill and creativity made him stand out on every team he joined.

After achieving significant success within Marlboro, Max continued to challenge himself at the highest levels of youth soccer. At just 15 years old, he joined Cedar Stars’ Development Academy team, competing against some of the top talent in the country. He spent two years at the Development Academy level, further refining his technical ability, discipline, and understanding of the game.

Following his playing career, Max transitioned into coaching at CTR, where he continued to share his knowledge, passion, and love for the sport with the next generation of players.

His advanced technical ability and exceptional understanding of the game naturally led him to a path in coaching, allowing him to share the sport he loved with others. Max began his coaching journey as a cadet, working with both recreational and travel programs. Through his dedication and patience, he trained hundreds of young players and eventually rose to become a master skills trainer.

During his senior year at Marlboro High School, Max joined the Marlboro Varsity Boys Soccer team, bringing his playing career full circle at the high school level. After graduation, he continued his academic journey at Rutgers University, where he pursued a degree in Sports Management.

While at Rutgers, Max remained deeply committed to building community and connection. He became a brother in the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, where he continued to give back and support those around him. He also treasured his lifelong friendships from childhood, many of whom became his roommates in college, carrying forward the same loyalty and closeness that defined his earlier years.

Max was a beloved son to his father Frank Rizzi, owner of CTR Soccer, which has since been renamed to CM19 soccer, honoring Max's initial and the number he wore throughout his youth soccer career at MSA. He always accompanied his father to his training sessions. Frank will miss watching Max take the same path everyday, parking his car, and bringing such a vibrant energy with one goal in mind: help advance the technical skills of as many youth players as possible. His comforting energy will forever be remembered by Frank. Max loved the Marlboro Middle School lower lit turf and Vanderburg Soccer Complex. He spent countless hours playing on those very same fields that he later conducted his small skills classes as a coach. Frank and Max shared a special place together at those fields as their routine was always the same: sharing gear, water, food, and a strong passion for the game. Max’s passion was not just limited to the soccer fields. He had a unique style for fashion that was second to none, always looking good and smelling good.