Special Points of interest

• Interview with Brian Barrie
• Referee of the Month: Kalani Burghard
• John Bieniewicz Memorial Scholarship Recipient Interview
• Tip of the Month
• Who’s Who: Shaun Soraghan

Welcome to the April issue of the MRC newsletter. We hope all of you and your family and friends are continuing to stay safe.

March 31 marked the end of the zoom referee recertification clinics. We will continue to offer two new referee classes a month via zoom. Since October, we have offered just over 120 referee certification and recertification classes via zoom. Each class had 2 mentors, totaling almost 250 mentor slots to fill. A total of 54 mentors taught these sessions. With 60 mentors (including the ones in the middle of the licensing process) in the state, 90% of mentors were involved in these classes. For many of them, teaching referees on zoom was complete new. We would like to thank these mentors to taking up on a new challenge.

Many of you might have read about the new Laws of the Game that will take into effect on July 1, 2021, internationally. I would like you to keep in mind a few things on this. First, most of the games in the state will continue to follow the 2020-2021 LOTG through this calendar year. Second, once we are in the next certification and recertification cycle starting July 1, 2021, we will start instructing on the new LOTG. By then, all the mentors will receive proper training so that they can share accurate information with referees. Additionally, those referees who will be working on a few leagues that will start using the new LOTG this fall will also receive training so that they are up to date with their knowledge.

As always, our April newsletter is full of exciting stories and information. We are featuring Mr. Brian Barrie as the former MRC member of the month. He was the State Director of Instruction in mid-2000s. Our regular content includes Referees of the Month and Who’s Who. We are featuring Kalani Burghard as the Referees of the Month, and Shaun Soraghan for Who’s Who. We were able to interview Courtney Dolan, a recipient of the Memorial Scholarship. Ken Wikle has an article about refereeing. You will also see the latest list of the District Directors of Referee Development, names of mentors who finished their licensing process in March, and a few pictures of Michigan referees at the National League showcase event in Greensboro, NC.

Beyond this newsletter, please be sure to follow our Twitter (@MichiganReferee) and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Inside this issue

• Barrie Interview
• Myth of the Referee Affecting the Outcome of a Game
• Tournament Season is Here
• Referee of the Month: Kalani Burghard
• DDRDs for 2021
• Our New Mentors
• National League Showcase and Playoffs
• John Bieniewicz Scholarship Recipient Monthly Interview
• What is Your Call?
• SmartWater Invitational Soccer Tournament
• Referee Blooper
• Tip of the Month
• Who’s Who: Shaun Soraghan
• The Art of Health
• Spring Soccer Season is on the Way

For the April newsletter, we also had an opportunity to interview Brian Barrie, a former State Director of Instruction.

When and how did you become the SDI of Michigan? How long were you the SDI?

I became an instructor in the mid-1980s and became the District Director of Instruction for the Flint area at that time. I was asked to serve as SDI when Marie Smith stepped down. Although I knew that I could never replace Marie, who was a quintessential educator, I agreed and served in the role for roughly five or six years.

How were you involved in Michigan soccer before you were the SDI?

I had served as a referee, an instructor, and an assessor for over 20 years at the time I became SDI.  I coached some of my son’s youth teams with little success. While I played in a few recreational, indoor, and adult leagues, anyone who witnessed my performance would agree that it was wholly underserving of mention.

What did you enjoy the most about being the SDI?

I enjoyed helping the state achieve meaningful improvement in the instruction of referees. We knew at the time that the instructional program largely “taught to the test” and that we were producing referees that could qualify for the badge but came through the clinics without knowing how to referee the game. The MRC worked collaboratively to begin taking advantage of efficiencies offered by online training so that precious classroom time could be better utilized. That type of progressive “outside-the-box” thinking was much needed.

Another thing that I liked about being SDI was meeting and working with referees across the state. I learned a lot from the varying perspectives that referees brought to the unique circumstances of their regions.

What is your referee background? When did you start refereeing?

I began refereeing in the spring of 1980. The prior year, my friend and former National Referee, Steve Olson, was officiating a recreational league game I was playing in. After the game, I was laughing with Steve that I probably deserved several cautions during the game but hadn’t gotten any. He pulled out his set of cards and gave them to me. I decided to put the equipment to good use. My entry level referee class was taught by Gerhard Mengel. You could not study under Gerhard without gaining a deep love of the game and developing an appreciation for special challenges of officiating the game properly.

It seemed that once I got started it was truly impossible to quit. At the time, the game was growing at an incredible rate and referees were in big demand. Then soccer became a varsity sport for high schools and things really took off. Naturally, colleges, indoor, and the professional ranks followed suit. I tried to do as much of it as I could.

Do you still remain active in the refereeing world? If so, how?

Regrettably, I am no longer active in refereeing. About with chemotherapy in 2002 left me with necrotic bone in both knees. The starting and stopping done in officiating games became too painful. In addition, I am a firm believer that every individual has to know when to quit. We have all seen referees who continue to work games well beyond their “shelf life.” In 2012, I figured it was time to step away.  Perhaps not surprisingly, I now have dreams where I am still refereeing.

What is your best memory of being a referee?

Of course, a lot of memories stand out. I cannot think of a fellow referee without some story coming to mind. One of my favorite on-field memories was working the 2000 USL Championship game as AR1 with Carlos Folino. The match was understandably intense, and the skill level was impeccable. Despite the home team dropping a 1-0 decision, both teams agreed that Carlos had done a masterful job with the match. It was great to be part of the crew that night.

One of my favorite off-field memories stems from the old CISL that played at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Herb Silva was in town to handle the match and he was always fun to work with. After the officiating crew had completed our pregame inspection, we retired back to the officials’ locker room to get ready for the match. Herb got telling war stories (and jokes) until there was a knock at the door. It was Palace security sent to get the officials. We had missed the warm-ups, the player introductions, and the National Anthem and the teams were ready to start the game. Oops.

What is your best memory of being the SDI?

The greatest memory that I will carry of being the SDI is my unfettered respect and admiration of the people who choose to become soccer referees. Being SDI gave me the opportunity to work with referees across the state. Though it might sound pretentious, soccer referees are the some of the greatest people I have had the pleasure to meet. As a group, they are generally likeable, hardworking, dependent, modest, and fun-loving. My tenure as SDI really brought that into focus for me.

What made refereeing exciting/fun for you?

I liked pretty much everything about refereeing games – the fresh air, the exercise, the comradery with my fellow officials, even the back and forth with players and coaches. What I found most rewarding was the positive impact I could have on a game, which made it more enjoyable for everyone involved. Keeping a hotly contested match under control is a challenge, and when done successfully, is highly rewarding. Similarly, recognizing a more “mundane” match and allowing it to proceed that way can be just as important.  You are constantly being tested and the minute you become complacent, the game can make you pay.

Other than being the SDI, did you hold any other roles in the soccer world, including locally?

I was always very active in the organization and operation of the Flint-area soccer referee’s association. At one time, the local associations played a critical role in the recruitment, education, and scheduling of referees.

Do you have any advice for aspiring referees?

As I sift through the advice I gave over the course of many years, I’d say three things stand out:

•           Keep learning – One of the great challenges to officiating is there is always room for improvement. The game and the players are always evolving and so must the referees. 

•           Take pride in being a referee – It’s a tough job that not everyone can do. Referees are often subject to a great deal of abuse from parents, players, and coaches. If you are properly prepared and you are giving adequate attention and effort, then you are a vital element to a successful match. Anything sort of that and you become an obstacle to everyone on the pitch.

•           Be honest in your self-assessment. You usually don’t need others to tell you when you’ve messed up. Make those learning opportunities. If you are not enjoying your time on the field or are only there for the game fee, it’s time to start asking yourself some tough questions.

Thank you, Brian.

Thank you.

Although I didn’t start as a USSF soccer referee until 2007, I started reffing AYSO soccer in 2005 when I was 12 years old. This started mainly because my dad knocked on my door one morning and told me to get dressed, because we were going to become soccer referees. My first years of reffing were marked by coaches and parents towering over me, but my dad was with me through all my games, and he stood quietly by as I handled irate members of the soccer community. This initial experience with reffing taught me my favorite part about it: that a tribe can make a girl strong, even if she is a girl in a heavily male dominated field. This lesson was essential as I moved through college and into my daytime career as a high school English teacher. It is a lesson that is hard to learn in a world that is resistant to change. Today, over fifteen years later, I cannot help but express to people that inquire about reffing the intangible reasons for joining the fray: the camaraderie, the support, and the tribe they will walk away with. My referee friends were with me through rough parent-teacher conferences, my wedding, and even the birth of my son this past year. Our community is something that spans not only the country, but the entire world. And, while my world is now more dominated by bottles and rattles now,  I can’t help but be grateful my dad dragged me out of bed one Saturday morning to become a soccer referee.

No matter what athletic stage you are at, as a referee you are an athlete. This is a mindset everybody should have. Being athletes, we need to train in ways that will help us move faster and more efficiently during games. I encourage you to reflect on your training to see where you can add some training that works on mobility and explosiveness. If you need any ideas on workouts or ways to alter your current routine, do not hesitate to reach out, homikrya @ msu.edu.

Here is the monthly video.

Spring is on the way!

Years ago, I heard the saying “In spring  a young man’s fantasy turns to … baseball.” My Google search on this produced the original quote from Alfred Lloyd Tennyson that had nothing to do with baseball, however if you are reading this you can replace “baseball” with “soccer.” I am sure after about of year of dealing with the pandemic and its effects, we are all anxious to get back out on the field again and referee some games. With the layoff, it would be good to spend some time and effort thinking about what is necessary to prepare to referee again. Here are my recommendations:

– Make sure you have recertified for 2021. Recertifying for 2021 is free. Check out the Michigan Referee website www.michiganrefs.org  and click on Referees and then Recertification. Let the “Wizard” take you through the requirements to recertify for 2021.

– Once you have recertified, go into GameOfficials and enter you availability. With no availability entered you will not get offered any games. Assignors are receiving games already so don’t be left out. Consult your own personal and school calendar to make sure your availability reflects times and dates you are really available.

– It’s time to get in shape again. Many of the referees have not worked for months and may be out of shape. Get to the gym or on your treadmill and put in some miles! Whatever you do, get your fitness level up to where it needs to be to keep up with play.

– In addition to recertifying, there have been many Law changes over last two years and new interpretations, especially for handball. You need to understand and be able to apply these in a game situation to be in step with the current Laws of the Game. There are new rules affecting dropped balls and the wall on free kicks too. You can find PowerPoint slides covering the latest changes and interpretations on the Michigan Referee website in the Referee Mentor/Coach tab. These resources are available to anyone who would like to view them or download them.

– If you haven’t done so already, download the IFAB App on the Laws of the game and changes on your smartphone. This is a great guide on the LOTG which you can take anywhere you go for reference. It is easy to use and is up to date with current changes and interpretations.

– Review your equipment. If you haven’t officiated for months some parts of your uniforms and equipment may have disappeared and will need locating. Don’t show up for your first game and discover you are not fully equipped!

– The pandemic is not over completely and some leagues and organizations may still require you wear a mask while you referee or at least to do pregame check in. This will require you to have a good mask that covers your mouth and nose. Test out a few masks to select one that works best for you. While refereeing with a mask, it is very difficult to blow a regular whistle. A good alternative is an electronic whistle. These are available online. Official Sports International has them and you can order one online for $15.00. If you already have an electronic whistle check your batteries before you go out to referee this spring.

For those of us who enjoy refereeing, having soccer finally start up is definitely something to look forward to this spring, make sure you are prepared.

Please reach out to us!

If you have any referee-related stories to share or someone you think should be featured in this newsletter, please reach out to us at sdi@michiganrefs.org.