May Newsletter

Volume 2, Issue 5
May 1, 2021

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Michigan Referee Committee: Marie Smith

Marie Smith

Former State Youth Referee Administrator and State Director of Instruction

For the May newsletter, we also had an opportunity to interview Marie Smith, a former State Youth Referee Administrator and State Director of Instruction.

How did you first get involved with officiating?

I have never played the sport I love the most, although I’ve participated in almost every other sport since I was a child.  In high school, I joined every sport available for girls: basketball, tennis, and swimming.  Three. That was the total of the girls’ sports program then. 

A 4-year-old got me involved in soccer telling us, his parents, that he wanted to play soccer because he liked the uniforms (Not the answer to excite an athletic parent)! That fall I registered him in an Under-8 club team and was handed a pack of papers to fill out including a section that asked how we, the child’s parents, could help the league. There were many suggestions, but which one would fit my interest and schedule? Just how much were we willing to assist and support this wonderful opportunity for our child? I left blank the boxes next to “plan a picnic” or “plan the banquet” and certainly didn’t check the one saying “coach”- I didn’t know anything at all about soccer. The one option that caught my eye was “become a referee.” Hmm, I am an elementary teacher, I scrutinize and correct kids all day at school; this seemed to be an obvious fit. 

A month later, Joe Lombardo, the director of officiating for Tri-Community Soccer Association, invited me to a class. Joe was not an instructor, but he was a USSF certified referee. It was a small class of two other adults and two kids, both of whom had been past students of mine. I completed the class successfully, was given a TCSA referee patch, and assigned a scrimmage. Remember, I still had never seen a soccer game played, and I was terrified. I bought a uniform, whistle, cards, and the only soccer shoes that weren’t plastic in my size. I was afraid I wouldn’t know what to do, where to stand, or how to move around the field. What if the parents yelled at me? What does a foul look like? How would I restart the game? My husband, our two sons, one adult from the class, and my father came along to lend support.  I ran with the kids and chased the ball; I had no idea who had fouled, if someone was hurt or if it was really a handball? My face was the color of a cherry tomato by the end of an hour scrimmage. I could barely breathe and I was shaking. 

The following Tuesday we met to get our assignments. We discussed problems we had seen on the field and clarified rules for everyone (If we did that today, maybe we wouldn’t lose so many referees every year). When the meeting ended, we volunteered to do matches during that week. But I never volunteered for a game; I was scared. Joe would offer games, I replied “Sorry, I’m busy that day,” “I have a meeting Wednesday,” etc. When I ran out of excuses out of embarrassment, I accepted a game or two. He kept asking, never giving up, and I kept showing up weekly so my son could continue playing. A year later, I enrolled in a USSF course and learned a lot more. Along the way, I met more referees at meetings, games, and at kids events. I learned so much from the people I worked with and each match was another opportunity to learn more.

Suddenly “I” was answering questions, encouraging referees, and helping to train new people. I started doing high school matches; I met more people, talked to coaches and attended trainings. The games were no longer fearful events but opportunities to be with my soccer friends. The people I worked with made a big difference in how I managed the games. They made suggestions, told me about trainings they had attended, and explained stressful situations they had experienced, and informed me of new law changes.  Many of my referee friends are still among my closest, most-trusted friends. 

Next up was to become a college referee with MISOA. It provided me with more new friends, experiences, trips to distant colleges and more chances to improve. The high school and collegiate matches, as well as the amateur matches, gave me many opportunities to expand my experiences.  Suddenly my gender became very important. It was not unusual for spectators to call out, “Get off the field, this is a man’s game!” “Go back into the kitchen!” “Girls shouldn’t be doing boys games.” It was surprising to hear such comments but I guess it was to be expected; there were only a few female referees and although I knew most of them, I never considered what I was doing to be unusual (I especially enjoyed the “kitchen” remarks, because I didn’t have much time for the kitchen after I discovered soccer).  Mr. Barnes sent my friend Gina and me to a senior tournament in Rockford, IL, to officiate in the Region II tournament finals.  Another female referee named Sandy was sent, too. At the end of the tournament, we were all assigned to the open women’s final. To our surprise, hundreds of spectators surrounded the field to watch a type of “freak show” of lady referees doing a real match. That was fun, but luckily, we did a decent job because no one criticized our performance.

When and how did you become the SYRA and SDI of Michigan?

In 1992, I was appointed State Youth Referee Administrator (SYRA), a challenging position because the MSYSA president did not approve of having young referees officiate youth games. I assigned many young, skilled referees to State Cup matches. One young official, Jonathan Noocha, worked several matches as well as the Under-16 boys’ final. Jon did a wonderful job which opened the door for me to include more young referees to work youth matches. Region II also sent Jon to the National Youth Tournament that year and a year later he was assigned to one of the finals in the U.S Youth Tournament.  The referees and players welcomed their practical knowledge of the game. Players especially enjoyed having the young referees who knew the game as a player as well as a referee.

In 1999, Dale Brasseur appointed me to be State Director of Instruction (SDI). At that time, referee development programs in Michigan and elsewhere used overhead projectors and transparencies to present instruction which were cumbersome and time consuming since they slid about and onto the floor so often. At the same time, my job at school had changed from classroom teacher to Media Specialist for my building of 500+ students and 30 teachers. Teachers and administrators were starting to gravitate away from the use of transparencies and discovering PowerPoint software that could easily be edited, shared, and transported. Dale, then SRA, and I thought this could be useful for referee training but were unsure how the National Office would take to that idea. Several months later at a National SDI Meeting, I spoke to two advisors from the Chicago office who were receptive to the benefits of a technology switch to computers and software. On return from lunch, I brought up the technology idea; there was discussion and some pushback but in the end, everyone except two members voted for the switch to adding computerized technology and projectors to our recerts and new entry level classes. Our state was open to trying something new in instruction. I explained to Dale what had happened at the meeting. Dale ordered a projector and a computer for each DDI for instruction in their areas of Michigan. I began going to areas around the state and demonstrating how to use the equipment and how to present instruction. Eventually Carlos replaced Dale as SRA and made sure there were several projectors and laptops for each region’s growing needs. He was very proactive to our needs. 

What was your experience as the SYRA and SDI like?

Except for law changes, the National Program allowed us to organize and present lessons geared for our state. A few of our Michigan National Referees asked how they could assist me in developing independent topics to present at the numerous recerts that were offered throughout the state. Many of the topics included lessons they had seen at their National training classes making all of our officials more knowledgeable. The goal was to make sure all of our officials were calling things the same way rather than only what each region was developing locally.

What do you like about being involved in refereeing?

Refereeing has always been exciting for me. I’ve been able to work with many different people at various stages of soccer experience. The players all have different needs, whether they are just starting out in soccer or playing professionally. Referees must be flexible and vary their methods of officiating depending on the skills of the players, as well as, the other officials they work with. We must be alert to whatever is going on around you; the intent of the players, behaviors of coaches and skill level that is presented. Each match is unique and requires us to adjust for each level of play. I enjoy working with new many people and like to make suggestions regarding the problems we might encounter. Over the years, I’ve been honored to work with all levels of players; whether Special Olympics, Under-6, high school, college, seniors, semi-pro, or professionals. For many years I worked with the Rockers and Neon Professional teams in various capacities as a volunteer. Everyone wants to know that their referee is able to fairly apply the laws of the game. You must go to each match ready to give them the best game you’re capable of calling. Currently, I try to stay active by working with youngsters who are still learning. If I don’t feel I’m able to do a match, I won’t accept it. The game may require more than I’m able to give.

My favorite recollections of soccer were the World Cup ’94 matches at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. Four matches were played there and my kids, I, Gina, and her kids worked for hours putting cheerleader pom-poms on each seat in the lower bowl of the facility the night before the opening game.  The U.S. played the first match and most of the people there were people I knew. When the first round of World Cup closed, the U.S. Women’s National Team played the Canadian National Women’s Soccer Team. Gina and I were asked to drive U.S. Women’s Team to Metro-Airport the next day. That team went on to win the Olympics and the Women’s World Cup. That was truly a time I’ll never forget.  Referees from Michigan, members of the Michigan Soccer Association (MSA), the Michigan Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) gave freely of their time and talents to welcome people from around the world to the State of Michigan. The person who organized those events was a female referee, Julie Illacqua, past president of the MSA and future director of referees for the United States.

Soccer, the game I’ve never played, has provided me with experiences, friendships, and challenges for nearly 40 years. I never thought it would last much beyond my sons’ involvement in youth games; who knew it would take me to ODP and professional levels? (It might have been easier to plan the league banquet, but what a ride I would have missed…)

How to Become a Regional Referee

With the U.S. Soccer’s new referee pathway, everyone becomes a grassroots referee, first. Although over 90% of registered officials are grassroots referees, some aspire to upgrade to become regional referees. In the old referee grade system, becoming a regional referee is equivalent of becoming a Grade 6 state referee.

In order to become a regional referee, you must be at least 18 years old and must have been registered as a referee at least for the last 3 years. You also need to have officiated at least 50 games as a referee and 25 games as an assistant referee at the adult amateur level. Unfortunately, youth games including State Cup, ECNL, etc. do not count toward this requirement, unless they are U-18 or U-19 games. Unaffiliated games such as high school and college games do not count, either. Once you have met these requirements, you can apply to be considered for an upgrade.

Every winter around February, the MRC sends out an email to its referee asking if they meet all of these requirements and if they would like to upgrade. Once their age, experience, and game counts were confirmed, they are notified that they are now a regional referee candidate. These candidates are invited to a fitness test as the first step. These tests, as will be mentioned elsewhere in this newsletter, takes place in spring. It is vital that those who wish to become a regional referee train during winter so they can pass the fitness test.

If a candidate passes a fitness test, they will be evaluated on matches. If they do not pass a fitness test, they are no longer upgrade candidates. Those who successfully passed a fitness test will be evaluated on 3 games: 2 at the adult amateur level and 1 at the highest youth level. The third match may also be an adult game. The youth game must be “at the highest youth level,” meaning that it has to be at least the State Cup final or semi-final match. ENCL, NLC, and other regional and national competitions will also count. But the game has to be either a U18 or U19 game. Successfully passing all three evaluations will move the candidate very close to the regional referee badge.

Once the evaluations are complete, candidates will have to make sure that they are compliant with any relevant requirements (e.g. SafeSport), take the law test, and attend required training session(s).

If you want to become a regional referee one day, it is never too early to start working toward your goal. One piece of advice the MRC has for you is to keep track of your game counts. You will be required to submit your game record and if you cannot supply your game history, you will not become a candidate. Keeping track of your games will help you get closer to your aspiration.

Tournament Season is Here

We have had a few tournaments in the last several weekends. In April and May, we have several tournaments on one weekend. If you would like to spend a weekend on a soccer field, these tournaments are great places to be.

The MRC is working closely with some tournament assignors so that licensed mentors are in presence at various tournaments. These mentors are not there to “evaluate” you. They are there to watch a part of your game and to give you some feedback. They will also send you a feedback sheet via email. So if a mentor approaches you and says hello, don’t be alarmed! Ask many questions. They have a lot of experience and knowledge that they are eager to share.

One of the tournament assignors who the MRC work with is Erich Shrewsbury. Here is a short message from Erich, “If you would like to do any tournament, please go into your game officials account and on the left-hand side click MY PREFERENCES, once that opens please click LEAGUE/TOURNAMENT PREFERENCES and you will see all the league/tournaments that you can sign up for. Find the one or multiples you are looking for and check that box. You can email me and I will confirm that you have signed up properly.”

You can find the list of tournaments that Erich is assigning here.

His email address is: eshrews @ gmail.com.

Referee of the Month: Bill and Jordan Howard

Dress the Part, Act the Part

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Michigan Referee Committee

State Referee Administrator (SRA): Carlos Folino
State Referee Chairman (SRC): James Wheeler
State Youth Referee Administrator (SYRA): Ronald Grobbel
State Director of Referee Development (SDRD): Yuya Kiuchi
State Director of Assignors (SDoA): John Corbett
State Director of Futsal (SDF): Richard Gilbert
Email addresses are the title in parenthesis plus @michiganrefs.org

MRC announcements

If you know anyone who would like to become a referee, we offer numerous grassroots referee classes, as well. You can find relevant information here.

Contact one of us on the Michigan Referee Committee if you have any questions.