Referee Administration

BYLAWS AND POLICIES

The Bylaws and Policies pertaining to the U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program include the following:

• Bylaw 531 - General Policies
• Bylaw 532 - Referee Registration Required
• Policy 431-1 - Federation Standing Committees
• Policy 531-1 - Referee Administration
• Policy 531-2 - Referee Registration Fee
• Policy 531-3 - Referee Registration Cards
• Policy 531-4 - Referee Uniform
• Policy 531-5 - Referee Authority
• Policy 531-6 - Restriction on Referee as a Player
• Policy 531-7 - Federation FIFA Referee and Assistant Referee Qualifications
• Policy 531-8 - Assignment of Game Officials
• Policy 531-9 - Misconduct Toward Game Officials
• Policy 531-10 - Misconduct of Game Officials
• Policy 531-11 - National Referee Development Program

STATE REFEREE ASSOCIATION

There are 55 State Referee Associations that support the U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program at the local level. Each association is responsible for promoting and implementing U.S. Soccer's initiatives and programs in support of all affiliated members and competitions within their jurisdiction. 

• State Referee Associations

The State Referee Association should include, but is not limited to: 

• State Referee Committee
• State Referee Administrator
• State Youth Referee Administrator
• State Direction of Instruction
• State Direction of Assessment
• State Assignment Coordinator

STATE REFEREE COMMITTEE

The State Referee Committee is responsible for leading the State Referee Association in promoting and implementing U.S. Soccer's referee initiatives and programs in support of all affiliated members and competitions within their jurisdiction. 

This includes, but is not limited to: 

• Establishing a technical and administrative network that is responsive and accountable
• Assisting in the appointment of positions within the State Referee Association
• Preparing an annual budget and reporting financial details as required
• Supporting the development of high performing and up-and-coming officials

The State Referee Committee should include, but is not limited to: 

• Chairperson
• State Referee Administrator
• State Youth Referee Administrator
• State Direction of Instruction
• State Direction of Assessment
• State Assignment Coordinator
• President or representative of the State Youth Association
• President of representative of the State Adult Association

The Chairperson is responsible for working collaboratively in leading the efforts of the State Referee Committee and State Referee Association. 

This includes, but is not limited to: 

• Organizing and presiding over meetings
• Reviewing technical and administrative reports
• Create and maintaining good working relationships

STATE REFEREE ADMINISTRATOR

The State Referee Administrator is responsible for overseeing the administrative and technical needs of the State Referee Association. 

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Verifying and processing registration records
• Upgrading and downgrading officials as needed
• Recruiting and retaining officials to ensure coverage on all affiliate games
• Coordinating the duties and efforts of the State Director of Instructions, State Director of Assessment and the State Assignment Coordinator
• Distributing badges, books and other referee materials as needed
• Maintaining open lines of communication with the U.S. Soccer Referee Department
• Assuming the responsibilities of the State Referee Committee should one not exist in the State Referee Association

STATE YOUTH REFEREE ADMINISTRATOR

The State Youth Referee Administrator is responsible for overseeing the administrative and technical needs of the State Referee Association specific to referee grades as designated by U.S. Soccer. 

This includes, but is not is not limited to:

• Verifying and processing registration records
• Organizing and instructing courses and clinics for officials
• Supporting the youth recreational needs of the State Referee Association

STATE DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTION

The State Director of Instruction is responsible for developing an instructor network and overseeing the instruction needs of the State Referee Association. 

This includes, but is not is not limited to:

• Organizing and instructing courses and clinics for instructors
• Developing in-service training materials for instructors
• Organizing and instructing courses and clinics for officials
• Working with the State Direction of Assessment in the development of in-service training materials for officials
• Providing clarification on the interpretation and application of the Laws of the Game

STATE DIRECTOR OF ASSESSMENT

The State Director of Assessment is responsible for developing an assessor network and overseeing the assessment needs of the State Referee Association. 

This includes, but is not is not limited to:

• Organizing and instructing courses and clinics for assessors
• Developing in-service training materials for assessors
• Working with the State Direction of Instruction in the development of in-service training materials for officials
• Assisting with the assignment of assessors in support of officials committed to advancement and development

STATE ASSIGNMENT COORDINATOR

The State Assignment Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the referee assignments made by assignors and overseeing the assignment needs of the State Referee Association. 

This includes, but is not is not limited to:

• Working collaboratively with assignors and competitions
• Organizing and instructing courses and clinics for assignors
• Developing in-service training materials for assignors

EDDIE PEARSON AWARD

The award is presented to an individual from the referee community that displays the following: 

• Distinguished contributions to the U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program
• Involvement with the program has spanned at least 20 years

Each State Association, State Referee Committee or State Referee Administrator may recommend a candidate based on the criteria listed above. Recommendations are submitted to the U.S. Soccer Referee Department where the criteria for each candidate will be reviewed by a selection panel comprised of previous Eddie Pearson Award winners. The final selections will be confirmed by the U.S. Soccer Referee Committee based on the recommendations of the selection panel. 

Previous recipients: 

• Pat Smith (1979)
• Don Byron (1980)
• Ray Morgan (1981)
• Roger Schott (1982)
• Paul Avis (1983)
• John Best (1987)
• Harry Baldwin (1988)
• Robert Sumpter (1989)
• Don Philipson (1990)
• Keith Walker (1991)
• Robert Evans (1992)
• Angelo Bratsis (1993)
• Heinz Wolmerath (1994)
• Thomas Webb (1995)
• Jack McCabe (1996)
• Richard Giebner (1997)
• Michael Wuertz (1998)
• Fernando Alvarez (1999)
• Peter Johnson (2000)
• Ed Bellion (2001)
• Robert Wertz (2002)
• Alfred Kleinaitis (2003)
• Jim Allen (2004)
• Herb Silva (2006)
• Dave McKee (2008)
• Rodney Kenny (2010)
• Toros Kibritjian (2011)

WILLIAM SCHOFIELD AWARD

The award is presented to an individual from the referee community that encompasses the following characteristics: 

• Thorough dedication to the art and profession of refereeing
• Courage and will to recover from a major physical setback
• Unparalleled treatment of fellow officials with respect and friendship

Each State Association, State Referee Committee or State Referee Administrator may recommend a candidate based on the criteria listed above. Recommendations are submitted to the U.S. Soccer Referee Department where the criteria for each candidate will be reviewed and then selections will be confirmed by the U.S. Soccer Referee Committee as appropriate.

Previous recipients: 

• Robert Singer (1990)
• Reinhold Spath (1991)
• George Hall (1992)
• Robert Evans (1994)
• Steve Oliver (1997)
• Dennis La Versa (2000)
• Fred Parrish (2008)