Category Archives: Referees

2009 USSF Entry Level Grade 8 Referee certification course!

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Missouri Referee Development ProgramThe Missouri Referee Development Program in conjunction with Lake Country Soccer will be conducting a United States Soccer Federation Entry Level Grade 8 Referee certification course February 6-8, 2009. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Register online through the hyperlink below.

* Who can register? There is no minimum age requirement
* How much? $65 per person. Make checks payable to “MRDP.”
* Where? Location is “To Be Determined” depending on class size
* How long is the course? 16 hours
Friday night – 6:00pm – 10:00p, all day Saturday (8:00am – 4:00pm) and Sunday afternoon (12:00p – 4:00p)
* Written examination is administered on Sunday afternoon immediately following instruction (approximately 3:30pm)

Questions may be directed to Jim McCarthy, the MRDP Southern District Referee Administrator by email: lcsrefs@aol.com

Missouri Youth Soccer Association Recognizes Springfield Members

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2008 Missouri Youth Soccer Association has announced their People of the Year Awards:

Girls Recreational Coach of the Year – Mike Peebles
Boys Recreational Coach of the Year – Ron Cox
Girls Competitive Coach of the Year – Sarah Cavin
Boys Competitive Coach of the Year – Tom Dunsford
Volunteer of the Year - Nancy Wichmer
Young Female Referee of the Year – Emily Courtney
Young Male Referee of the Year – Brayden Hutfless
Toyota President’s Award - John Casey

Lake Country Soccer has photos of the four members (highlighted above) who have been selected in their respective areas as MYSA People of the Year for 2008. These recipients will be recognized and be presented their awards at the 2009 MYSA Annual General Meeting being held January 18 in St. Louis, in conjunction with the NSCAA Conference.

USSF Referee Training Course August 15-17 in Springfield

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Springfield SC U23's host NWA LightningA United States Soccer Federation (USSF) Entry Level Referee Training and Certification Course is being offered by the Missouri Referee Development Program (www.mrdp.org) at Lake Country Soccer.

Friday August 15 through Sunday August 17

* No minimum age to attend the course
* Grade 8 certification (USSF Administrative designation)
* Course administration fee paid prior to course + referee registration fee paid if participant passes the written exam
* Successful completion qualifies referee(s) to officiate youth games at Lake Country Soccer
* Course to be held at Lake Country Soccer SoccerDome (or other designated location)
* For more information, contact the Southern District Referee Administrator through the MRDP website; www.mrdp.org

Patrick Burns is pictured in action for the recent U23 game between Springfield SC and NWA Lightning.

Wanted: High School Soccer Referees!

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Folks – this may be the year that we discover how important referees are to the three-legged stool of High School Soccer (players, coaches, referees). This request came in over the weekend:

There are 2 new schools that have been added to our assigning schedule (Branson, Logan-Rogersville) which means we need at least 6 new referees just to break even on an already short roster. We have really been working hard on recruiting this summer but I fear we are falling short. We welcome those new to wearing the shirt to those who have worn out their whistles.

For more information and for assistance in getting registered they can contact me at hamman000 (at) yahoo (dot) com or by phone 417-827-9215.

If you are a referee, but not currently doing High School soccer, I’d love to hear from you privately so I can do a story on issues that may be holding us back in that area. Otherwise, please contact Brad and lets keep the growth of the soccer community moving forward.

A Call to Service – High School Soccer Referees Needed

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This story has been contributed by Tom Davidson, Head Coach at Ozark High School.

HS Ref Clinic at GlendaleI have had the privilege of coaching our great game at the high school level for 17 wonderful years. In that time I have seen several different changes. One area I have seen very little change is in our current referee pool.

I would like to take time to recognize and appreciate all the dedicated referees who have served me, our sport, and the many players who have benefited from their service. Men like Gary Keisker, Gary Strunk, Dave Massey, Jack Streck, Tim Noonan, and others have been shouldering the load for many a year. Yes Keisker, you and I have had way too many games together, (to date I have coached 740 high school games and I’m sure you have officiated 700 of them).

Joking aside, it is time to call the soccer community to help with this situation. We have had boys’ soccer in the community since 1984. The girls program since 1995. If you count just one school it is roughly 30 athletes per season at 35 seasons or about 950 players from one school who have enjoyed high school soccer. Where are all of you? If we cannot increase our number of referees, our sport will be told what nights to play on or maybe told we can’t play certain games. We need to give something back. We complain about the referees, but we don’t do it ourselves. C’mon soccer moms and dads, former players, college students, and coaches, who don’t coach in both seasons. We are in desperate times with this scenario. Our sport is starting to flourish with more kids playing and schools adding soccer all of the time. Everyone has some spare time at least one day a week for a few hours.

MO Class 2 Sectional: Kickapoo Chiefs vs Rolla BulldogsThe current referees will tell you that they are not getting rich doing this, but they do get paid. The current rate of pay is $50 for a varsity game and $42.50 for a junior varsity game. This isn’t bad for a few hours of work. I am currently at a school where 11 of our coaches, administrators and teachers do some refereeing. Other sports are not in this pinch. Why is it that so few feel the call to service? Do we not feel like our kids are important enough to help them? I’m searching for answers to our dilemma! Please help!

Our sport needs you. If you believe in this sport and are willing to help, you can contact the Missouri State High School Activities Association at MSHSAA.org. It’s a simple process and easy to become an official. Thanks for your service and see you this spring.

Sincerely, Tom Davidson

United States Soccer Federation Entry Level Grade 8 Referee Certification Course

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United States Soccer Federation Entry Level Grade 8 Referee Certification Course conducted by the Missouri Referee Development Program hosted by Lake Country Soccer. The course is open to any person wanting to become certified to officiate outdoor soccer games (league and tournament) played at Lake Country Soccer.

COURSE DATES: February 29, March 1-2
Friday, February 29 5:30p – 9:30p
Saturday, March 1 8:00a – 6:00p
Sunday, March 2 1:00p – 5:00p

Location: Lake Country Soccer (if more than 20 registrants, an alternate location will be required) * This entry level certification course is approximately 16 hours *

Registration fee = $15 to register for the course

USSF registration fee of $25 will be due if the registrant successfully passes the written examination which is administered on the 3rd day of the course. Checks are to be made payable to the “Missouri Referee Development Program”

Registrants are required to provide their personal social security numbers to register with the “MRDP”

Registration forms are available at the information table at Lake Country Soccer.

US Soccer Referees – Some Pointers

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In keeping with my opener for 2008 I thought I’d take a moment to point to a few referee blogs that I read regularly. They offer an important view on the game and it’s ultimate development. So if you’re a true fan of the game, find some time to check these sites out and follow their developing stories…

For The Integrity of Soccer opens a series of articles on Joe Machnik, Major League Soccer’s Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner for On-Field Competition, the guy who acts as the league’s liaison with the US Soccer Federation on officiating issues. He opens with a story about playing for KU against Rockhurst 30 years ago, when both schools had club teams, and the common issues we still face trying to be part of the international game.

US Soccer Players digs a bit deeper with Major League Soccer’s Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis, regarding the standards of refereeing in MLS and how it might improve, and how the poor bench behavior of some coaches and players isn’t helping the officials to do their jobs .

Finally, A Refs Blog discusses How To Be Mean as he recaps the Top 10 posts of 2007. This one stood out for me based upon some discussions I’ve had with Springfield’s most senior referee, Andy Ellsworth, and his experiences at National Referee camps. There are also several good reports on his experiences at the Region II Tournament last June in Des Moines that are worth a read. I’m fairly certain this guy is based in MN based up his writing although understandably he remains anonymous as he tells his story of working his way up the ranks of US Soccer.

Lacy Kendrick, Referee

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Lacy Kendrick with Ryan Cooksey & Andy Wilkinson I’d like to take a moment to introduce you to one of the local referees. Lacy Kendrick is likely a familiar face to anyone involved in soccer at the Lake Country Soccer Dome, and she was part of the crew that worked last summer’s Southwest All-Star Game. She’s pictured with Ryan Cooksey and Andy Wilkinson in a photo I grabbed from Facebook (friend me if you’d like) Click on the photo to see a larger version.

That’s only part of her story however. She was interviewed by KOLR 10 last month and I’d like to share that part of her story with you as well. It’s not an easy story to tell, I don’t feel qualified, but it’s an important story.

“I referee soccer at two different places, work down in Branson and do personal training,” Lacy explained her work schedule. This 23-year-old also has a full load of classes and goals at Missouri State University.

“I am planning on graduating with a bachelor’s in psychology and minors in business and Latin and then applying for Ph.D. programs in psychology,” she said.

Plus she volunteers on several state legislative committees, including the Taskforce on Children’s Justice. “I think I can provide some input that normal researchers wouldn’t be able to,” she explained.

Her opinions, especially on foster care are influenced by her past.

“I was really, really scared,” she remembered. When she was 15, Lacy and her five siblings were taken from a dangerous home and placed in foster care.

Here’s the entire story, including the video clip from the news story.

I did explore a bit more some of Lacy’s background in soccer which is below. Continue reading →