(Published Evening News & Tribune, June 11, 2008)
We are now in the midst of the busiest time in the youth travel soccer calendar.
Unfortunately for soccer mom and dads, it has coincided with gas prices hitting an all time high at $4 a gallon.
But how much of an impact will it have? Will we see it hit the standard of soccer, with less participation at the higher level?
There have been reports in recent weeks of kids cutting back on athletic leagues in all sports all over the country as parents struggle to balance fuel prices with the travel demands associated with their children's sports activities. Recreational leagues are being preferred because they cost less. We're talking about the likes of basketball, baseball and softball.
Also expected to be hit is the strange creature we call travel soccer, seen by many as the domain of the upper-middle class of society in the US.
Consider this: You live in southern Indiana and your little Johnny or Mary is on a successful travel team, say Javanon, for example. One week you're traveling to Lexington for the Kentucky State Open Cup preliminaries; the next, you're down in Bowling Green for the final stages.
And now little Johnny's, or Mary's, team has made it to the regional championships in Illinois (which take place from June 20-25), where you will probably stay over for a couple of nights - catch the opening ceremony and the first three games. Maybe even stay until finals day. This is all in the space of a four week period.
I hear all sorts of tales about the expense of soccer, including one family which has estimated it forked out about $16,000 in one year watching their son, a successful regional Olympic Development Program player, all over the United States.
I'm no expert in how rich upper middle class Americans are, but I'm sure there's a fair few travel soccer families that are simply struggling right now, so that their talented children can follow their dreams; maybe get themselves a soccer scholarship at an NCAA Division 1 university.
There is, I have to say, a certain irony in the fact that parents could be seen at tryouts over the past couple of weeks with concerned looks and bitten down nails, hoping their children would be the ones to make it onto their travel teams of choice.
In fact, there were quite a few of them, as numbers were reportedly high at trials for a number of teams across Louisville and southern Indiana, so you would have to assume that prices don't seem to be bothering too many folks right now, despite the national mood.
However, the current economic climate could be a blessing in disguise for the sport in the US. I feel that if there was more concentration on local competition, with the creation of more teams within shorter distances and less emphasis on traveling long distances to numerous “prestigious” tournaments (maybe one or two a season), then more kids would be able to afford participation at said competitive level and the overall talent pool quality would increase.
As a matter of fact, the vast majority of players in the US play at the recreational level anyway. It would give those who are talented enough - but not rich enough - a chance to play travel. Call me stupid, but I would have thought that could only help the standard of the game.
There are those involved in travel soccer that are suited just fine by the status quo - they are not in a rush to change it. So maybe being forced to change it is the only way forward.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Mavericks oh so close
(Published Evening News & Tribune, June 8, 2008)
It was oh so close for Southern Indiana United’s U14 Mavericks, who earned themselves a runner-up spot at the Indiana State Challenge Cup at Fort Wayne Sunday.
They swept through the preliminary round two weeks ago, with wins
over Indiana Invaders (2-0), Lawrence Soccer Club (5-0), and Pumas (3-1).
As bracket winners, they moved on to finals weekend where they faced Tippco Blue Heat (Lafayette) in the quarter final Saturday.
Jordan Vejar opened the scoring with a left footed blast for a 1-0 lead and the flood gates opened from there. Vincent Straight followed with two more blasts from long range, with Keegan Leuthart finishing off the scoring by slipping through the Tippco defense.
On Sunday morning, Mavericks faced Columbus Orange Crush, Indiana Soccer League champion and reigning 2007 Challenge Cup holders, in the semi-final. They gained revenge for a 1-0 defeat earlier in the season by squashing the Crush 2-1.
Vincent Straight opened the scoring from a throw in by Danny Laird as he slipped through the defense for a long blast that caught the goalkeeper off guard. After an equalizing score by Columbus, the Mavericks composed themselves and won the game with three minutes left on a
cannon by Kameron Jenkins who hit it so hard it knocked the Columbus' goalie into the net.
So to the final against familiar foe Indy Burn, a team they've beat, lost to and tied with over the past year in ISL and tournament play.
Indy Burn started energetically and took an early two goal advantage, but the Mavericks fought back to go in at half time down 2-1 after Cauldon Feldhaus finished off a Cray Trimble through ball to the far post.
Indy Burn came out strong in the second half again and scored twice more to almost put
the game out of reach, but the Mavericks never quit and scored two goals in the final six minutes courtesy of Jordy Rigsby and Kameron Jenkins to make it 4-3.
However, Mavericks could not tie the game despite intense pressure on Indy Burn’s defense.
Coach Mike Vejar said he was “overwhelmed with pride” because of the way team performed in the tournament, which had 28 participating teams this year.
It was oh so close for Southern Indiana United’s U14 Mavericks, who earned themselves a runner-up spot at the Indiana State Challenge Cup at Fort Wayne Sunday.
They swept through the preliminary round two weeks ago, with wins
over Indiana Invaders (2-0), Lawrence Soccer Club (5-0), and Pumas (3-1).
As bracket winners, they moved on to finals weekend where they faced Tippco Blue Heat (Lafayette) in the quarter final Saturday.
Jordan Vejar opened the scoring with a left footed blast for a 1-0 lead and the flood gates opened from there. Vincent Straight followed with two more blasts from long range, with Keegan Leuthart finishing off the scoring by slipping through the Tippco defense.
On Sunday morning, Mavericks faced Columbus Orange Crush, Indiana Soccer League champion and reigning 2007 Challenge Cup holders, in the semi-final. They gained revenge for a 1-0 defeat earlier in the season by squashing the Crush 2-1.
Vincent Straight opened the scoring from a throw in by Danny Laird as he slipped through the defense for a long blast that caught the goalkeeper off guard. After an equalizing score by Columbus, the Mavericks composed themselves and won the game with three minutes left on a
cannon by Kameron Jenkins who hit it so hard it knocked the Columbus' goalie into the net.
So to the final against familiar foe Indy Burn, a team they've beat, lost to and tied with over the past year in ISL and tournament play.
Indy Burn started energetically and took an early two goal advantage, but the Mavericks fought back to go in at half time down 2-1 after Cauldon Feldhaus finished off a Cray Trimble through ball to the far post.
Indy Burn came out strong in the second half again and scored twice more to almost put
the game out of reach, but the Mavericks never quit and scored two goals in the final six minutes courtesy of Jordy Rigsby and Kameron Jenkins to make it 4-3.
However, Mavericks could not tie the game despite intense pressure on Indy Burn’s defense.
Coach Mike Vejar said he was “overwhelmed with pride” because of the way team performed in the tournament, which had 28 participating teams this year.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Record number witness State Cup joy
A record number of southern Indiana players have tasted success at the Kentucky State Open Cup tournament finals held at Bowling Green and Lexington.
Some 181 teams from U13 to U19 took part in what is the first step in the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, the nation's premier youth soccer tournament.
The first team crowned state champ was United FC's U19s, which includes New Albany's Derek Webb and goalkeeper TJ Fox of Jeffersonville.
Webb had the assist on United's first win against Bluegrass SC 1-0 in Lexington on May 24, before they went on to beat Owensboro United 3-0 in the three team round robin the following day.
Last Wednesday, Javanon's U19 girls, featuring Western Kentucky University's Chelsea Grover from Jeffersonville, beat Louisville SC 5-0 to earn the right to represent Kentucky at the regional championships. Playing on LSC's team was Floyd Central graduate Chelsea Stanley, who plays at Center College.
However, it was over the past weekend that the majority of finals were held at Lover's Lane Soccer Complex in Bowling Green, and a number of the area's players were on winning teams.
Pierce Crawley of Jeffersonville was part of the ruthless Javanon team that beat Northern Kentucky United 4-0 in the U13 boys' final. They scored 23 goals in the whole tournament and kept clean sheets throughout. Crawley, who attends Providence Junior High, was recently selected on Indiana's Olympic Development Program U13 team.
Trevor Bruner, also of Jeffersonville and a Kentucky ODP player, and New Albany's Keenan Sparks, were part of a Javanon U16 team that won its fourth state title - and second in succession - when beating United 1996 2-1 in the final. Bruner attends Trinity, while Sparks goes to Providence.
The team is having a great season in the Midwest Regional League, where they beat FC Pride, ranked fifth in the nation, so confidence is high going into the regional championships.
Providence's Daniel Wilburn and Floyd Central's Matt Kelsey were involved in what was probably one of the most exciting games of the weekend, with their Javanon U14 side beating Mockingbird 2-1 in a nail biting contest, scoring with just seconds remaining on the clock.
Mockingbird's Kaitlin Robinett (pictured right)
New Albany High School's Kaitlin Robinett was part of Mockingbird's only State Cup success of the weekend, when her U16 team beat Northern Kentucky United for the second successive year in the final, this time by a 2-0 scoreline. It is their third state title, and was achieved with 16 goals scored and just one conceded.
Of the 14 titles on offer, eight were won by Javanon; two each by United 1996 and Lexington FC; and one each by Mockingbird and Central Kentucky SC.
Next up for the victors is a trip to the regional championships in Rockford, Illinois, which will be held from June 20-25. State winners from Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, South/North Dakota, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Minnesota will be involved.
The national finals will be held at Burns Park Soccer Complex in North Little Rock, Arkansas, from July 22-27.
Some 181 teams from U13 to U19 took part in what is the first step in the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, the nation's premier youth soccer tournament.
The first team crowned state champ was United FC's U19s, which includes New Albany's Derek Webb and goalkeeper TJ Fox of Jeffersonville.
Webb had the assist on United's first win against Bluegrass SC 1-0 in Lexington on May 24, before they went on to beat Owensboro United 3-0 in the three team round robin the following day.
Last Wednesday, Javanon's U19 girls, featuring Western Kentucky University's Chelsea Grover from Jeffersonville, beat Louisville SC 5-0 to earn the right to represent Kentucky at the regional championships. Playing on LSC's team was Floyd Central graduate Chelsea Stanley, who plays at Center College.
However, it was over the past weekend that the majority of finals were held at Lover's Lane Soccer Complex in Bowling Green, and a number of the area's players were on winning teams.
Pierce Crawley of Jeffersonville was part of the ruthless Javanon team that beat Northern Kentucky United 4-0 in the U13 boys' final. They scored 23 goals in the whole tournament and kept clean sheets throughout. Crawley, who attends Providence Junior High, was recently selected on Indiana's Olympic Development Program U13 team.
Trevor Bruner, also of Jeffersonville and a Kentucky ODP player, and New Albany's Keenan Sparks, were part of a Javanon U16 team that won its fourth state title - and second in succession - when beating United 1996 2-1 in the final. Bruner attends Trinity, while Sparks goes to Providence.
The team is having a great season in the Midwest Regional League, where they beat FC Pride, ranked fifth in the nation, so confidence is high going into the regional championships.
Providence's Daniel Wilburn and Floyd Central's Matt Kelsey were involved in what was probably one of the most exciting games of the weekend, with their Javanon U14 side beating Mockingbird 2-1 in a nail biting contest, scoring with just seconds remaining on the clock.
Mockingbird's Kaitlin Robinett (pictured right)
New Albany High School's Kaitlin Robinett was part of Mockingbird's only State Cup success of the weekend, when her U16 team beat Northern Kentucky United for the second successive year in the final, this time by a 2-0 scoreline. It is their third state title, and was achieved with 16 goals scored and just one conceded.
Of the 14 titles on offer, eight were won by Javanon; two each by United 1996 and Lexington FC; and one each by Mockingbird and Central Kentucky SC.
Next up for the victors is a trip to the regional championships in Rockford, Illinois, which will be held from June 20-25. State winners from Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, South/North Dakota, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Minnesota will be involved.
The national finals will be held at Burns Park Soccer Complex in North Little Rock, Arkansas, from July 22-27.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Goal tragedies continue
Exactly one year ago to the week, we interviewed the mother of Zachary Tran, a six-year-old who was killed when a goal struck him on the back of the head in Vernon Hills, Illinois in 2003.
Not long after the tragedy, Michelle and her family founded the Anchored for Safety initiative, which has spread education and awareness on the danger soccer goalposts can cause if not properly erected (www.anchoredforsafety.org)
Unfortunately, this month saw the 34th reported death in the United States from injuries sustained by soccer goals since a database was established in 1979.
Eight-year-old Gabriel Mendoza was playing goalie at the South Mountain YMCA in Phoenix, Arizona on May 1 when he grabbed the overhead bar to swing from it.
Suddenly, the bar came crashing down on Mendoza and he later died in hospital as a result of injuries caused by the impact.
Most of those who have died from goalpost incidents – 27 in fact – were between the ages of 5 and 18, the average age range of children who interact with soccer goals. There have also been hundreds of injuries - some serious - all over the country in that time.
They include a frightening head injury to a U8 player in Lafayette, Indiana in 2004, and another head injury to an 11-year old boy in Bardstown, Kentucky at a public elementary school field.
Michelle Tran's advice is simple but could save lives.
"There is an easy way to make soccer goals safer," she says. "Keep goals securely anchored with pegs or stakes at every use – whether it’s during practice or a game. And re-anchor goals after moving them for mowing or storage. This short-term solution is easy and inexpensive and can help stop completely preventable injuries and deaths.”
In the long term, the family is working on patenting a tip-proof goal with the help of an engineer. They are not sure exactly when this will be available, but Michelle says it will not be expensive.
"In their current design, soccer goals can weigh up to 400 pounds and are top-heavy because the bars are made of metal. While anchoring unsafe goals goes a long way to prevent incidents, the ultimate answer is to revamp soccer goals, using lighter materials and tip-resistant design.”
Photo caption
Zachary Tran
Not long after the tragedy, Michelle and her family founded the Anchored for Safety initiative, which has spread education and awareness on the danger soccer goalposts can cause if not properly erected (www.anchoredforsafety.org)
Unfortunately, this month saw the 34th reported death in the United States from injuries sustained by soccer goals since a database was established in 1979.
Eight-year-old Gabriel Mendoza was playing goalie at the South Mountain YMCA in Phoenix, Arizona on May 1 when he grabbed the overhead bar to swing from it.
Suddenly, the bar came crashing down on Mendoza and he later died in hospital as a result of injuries caused by the impact.
Most of those who have died from goalpost incidents – 27 in fact – were between the ages of 5 and 18, the average age range of children who interact with soccer goals. There have also been hundreds of injuries - some serious - all over the country in that time.
They include a frightening head injury to a U8 player in Lafayette, Indiana in 2004, and another head injury to an 11-year old boy in Bardstown, Kentucky at a public elementary school field.
Michelle Tran's advice is simple but could save lives.
"There is an easy way to make soccer goals safer," she says. "Keep goals securely anchored with pegs or stakes at every use – whether it’s during practice or a game. And re-anchor goals after moving them for mowing or storage. This short-term solution is easy and inexpensive and can help stop completely preventable injuries and deaths.”
In the long term, the family is working on patenting a tip-proof goal with the help of an engineer. They are not sure exactly when this will be available, but Michelle says it will not be expensive.
"In their current design, soccer goals can weigh up to 400 pounds and are top-heavy because the bars are made of metal. While anchoring unsafe goals goes a long way to prevent incidents, the ultimate answer is to revamp soccer goals, using lighter materials and tip-resistant design.”
Photo caption
Zachary Tran
Mavericks go for State glory
Southern Indiana United's Mavericks will bid to bring the U14 Indiana Challenge Cup trophy home this weekend.
They travel to Fort Wayne, where they will take on Lafayette's Tippco Blue Heat Saturday at 3 p.m.
A win there would see them progress to the semi-final against either Columbus Orange Crush, last year's U13 winners, or Center Grove Fury Sunday at 9 a.m. The final will be held the same afternoon at 3.30 p.m.
Coach Mike Vejar said Mavericks have "as good a chance as any of the teams" in the finals if they play the way they did last week.
Meanwhile, we reported last week that Net-Surfers' U13s also qualified for the final stages after wins against Fishers 3-0 and St Francis Lady Dragons 2-0, and a tie against Tippco. Although they finished with the same points, goal difference, and goals scored as Tippco, it was the latter that progressed via a penalty shootout.
They travel to Fort Wayne, where they will take on Lafayette's Tippco Blue Heat Saturday at 3 p.m.
A win there would see them progress to the semi-final against either Columbus Orange Crush, last year's U13 winners, or Center Grove Fury Sunday at 9 a.m. The final will be held the same afternoon at 3.30 p.m.
Coach Mike Vejar said Mavericks have "as good a chance as any of the teams" in the finals if they play the way they did last week.
Meanwhile, we reported last week that Net-Surfers' U13s also qualified for the final stages after wins against Fishers 3-0 and St Francis Lady Dragons 2-0, and a tie against Tippco. Although they finished with the same points, goal difference, and goals scored as Tippco, it was the latter that progressed via a penalty shootout.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Mavericks up to the Challenge!
Success also for Net-Surfers as over 500 teams play in statewide cups
Over 500 teams participated in the Indiana Youth Soccer State and Challenge Cups at various venues at the weekend.
The State Cup, for U13 to U19 teams, is the first step in the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, the nation's premier youth soccer tournament, while the Challenge Cup, for teams from U11 to U18, is just as competitive.
And it was in the Challenge Cup where there was success for Southern Indiana United's U14 Mavericks which won its bracket and now moves onto the finals at the Hefner Complex in Fort Wayne from May 29-June.
Mavericks will attempt to retain the Challenge Cup title won by SIU's Rampage last year after going unbeaten through the preliminaries at Westfield. Mike Vejar's boys got off to a good start, with victory over Indiana Invaders 2-0 on Saturday, before disposing of Lawrence SC 5-0 on Sunday morning. They then rounded out a perfect three for three against main bracket rivals Pumas by 3-1, a game they were actually losing 1-0 in.
Their 10 goals were scored by Kameron Jenkins (3), Cray Trimble (3), Vincent Straight (2), and Brian Fisher and Andrew Wimp (1 each).
Coach Mike Vejar said: "My compliments go to the entire team for focusing and implementing what we've trained with in practice for weeks. Our defense was solid all weekend, our midfielders controlled the tempo and the flow of the game, and our forwards took advantage of plenty of opportunities to give us the cushions we needed to lock down defensively on opponents."
.JPG)
SIU U14 Mavericks
Meanwhile, Net-Surfers' U13 girls traveled to Fort Wayne, where they opened with a scoreless tie with Tippco Fire from Lafayette. They then went on to beat Fishers 3-0 and St Francis Lady Dragons 2-0.
After three games, Net-Surfers and Tippco could not be separated, with the same points, the same goals difference and the same goals scored, so it boiled down to the toss of a coin for a place in the finals, which Tippco won.
Meanwhile, Southern Indiana United was represented by two teams -- U15 and U17 boys -- at this year's top level Indiana State Cup.
Under the guidance of Bruce Rigsby, U15 Rampage held its own at the highest level after their impressive Indiana State Challenge Cup victory last year.
They put up a good fight against eventual group winners Cutters from Bloomington on Saturday, losing narrowly by a 2-1 scoreline. Rampage then tied its two remaining games 1-1, first against Westside United later in the day, and then against Fort Wayne Sport Club Sunday.
SIU's U17 boys’ team -- with DJ Barksdale at the helm -- tied its first game against FC Pride 3-3 in Columbas on Thursday. On Sunday they lost 4-1 to Fort Wayne Fever , before losing to bracket winners, Northern Indiana Futbol Academy, by another 4-1 scoreline.
Other teams from the area to take part in the Challenge Cup included SIU's U11 and U16 boys; Net-Surfers' U12 and U16 girls; and SIU's U14 girls.
Other results - Challenge Cup Boys: U11 SIU Strikers - Lost 3-2 to SWISA Storm; lost 2-1 to Center Grove Utd; lost 6-0 to Carmel Utd. U16 SIU - Beat FC Indiana 2-1; lost 8-0 to Fort Wayne Sport Club; lost 2-1 to Columbus Express Phoenix. Challenge Cup Girls: U14 SIU - Lost 2-1 to SWISA Surge; lost 3-0 to St Francis Blue Angels; lost 1-0 to Center Grove Red Storm. U12 Net-Surfers Purple - Lost 2-0 to Carmel United; lost 3-0 to Indiana Invaders; beat FC Evansville Lady Lions 1-0. U16 Net-Surfers - 1-1 versus FC Indiana; beat NWI United 3-2.FC Indiana win bracket on goal difference.
Over 500 teams participated in the Indiana Youth Soccer State and Challenge Cups at various venues at the weekend.
The State Cup, for U13 to U19 teams, is the first step in the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, the nation's premier youth soccer tournament, while the Challenge Cup, for teams from U11 to U18, is just as competitive.
And it was in the Challenge Cup where there was success for Southern Indiana United's U14 Mavericks which won its bracket and now moves onto the finals at the Hefner Complex in Fort Wayne from May 29-June.
Mavericks will attempt to retain the Challenge Cup title won by SIU's Rampage last year after going unbeaten through the preliminaries at Westfield. Mike Vejar's boys got off to a good start, with victory over Indiana Invaders 2-0 on Saturday, before disposing of Lawrence SC 5-0 on Sunday morning. They then rounded out a perfect three for three against main bracket rivals Pumas by 3-1, a game they were actually losing 1-0 in.
Their 10 goals were scored by Kameron Jenkins (3), Cray Trimble (3), Vincent Straight (2), and Brian Fisher and Andrew Wimp (1 each).
Coach Mike Vejar said: "My compliments go to the entire team for focusing and implementing what we've trained with in practice for weeks. Our defense was solid all weekend, our midfielders controlled the tempo and the flow of the game, and our forwards took advantage of plenty of opportunities to give us the cushions we needed to lock down defensively on opponents."
.JPG)
SIU U14 Mavericks
Meanwhile, Net-Surfers' U13 girls traveled to Fort Wayne, where they opened with a scoreless tie with Tippco Fire from Lafayette. They then went on to beat Fishers 3-0 and St Francis Lady Dragons 2-0.
After three games, Net-Surfers and Tippco could not be separated, with the same points, the same goals difference and the same goals scored, so it boiled down to the toss of a coin for a place in the finals, which Tippco won.
Meanwhile, Southern Indiana United was represented by two teams -- U15 and U17 boys -- at this year's top level Indiana State Cup.
Under the guidance of Bruce Rigsby, U15 Rampage held its own at the highest level after their impressive Indiana State Challenge Cup victory last year.
They put up a good fight against eventual group winners Cutters from Bloomington on Saturday, losing narrowly by a 2-1 scoreline. Rampage then tied its two remaining games 1-1, first against Westside United later in the day, and then against Fort Wayne Sport Club Sunday.
SIU's U17 boys’ team -- with DJ Barksdale at the helm -- tied its first game against FC Pride 3-3 in Columbas on Thursday. On Sunday they lost 4-1 to Fort Wayne Fever , before losing to bracket winners, Northern Indiana Futbol Academy, by another 4-1 scoreline.
Other teams from the area to take part in the Challenge Cup included SIU's U11 and U16 boys; Net-Surfers' U12 and U16 girls; and SIU's U14 girls.
Other results - Challenge Cup Boys: U11 SIU Strikers - Lost 3-2 to SWISA Storm; lost 2-1 to Center Grove Utd; lost 6-0 to Carmel Utd. U16 SIU - Beat FC Indiana 2-1; lost 8-0 to Fort Wayne Sport Club; lost 2-1 to Columbus Express Phoenix. Challenge Cup Girls: U14 SIU - Lost 2-1 to SWISA Surge; lost 3-0 to St Francis Blue Angels; lost 1-0 to Center Grove Red Storm. U12 Net-Surfers Purple - Lost 2-0 to Carmel United; lost 3-0 to Indiana Invaders; beat FC Evansville Lady Lions 1-0. U16 Net-Surfers - 1-1 versus FC Indiana; beat NWI United 3-2.FC Indiana win bracket on goal difference.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Kermit's Olympic bound
Our congratulations go out to Louisville soccer referee Kermit Quisenberry, who has been selected to officiate at this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing.
Kermit, who now resides in Florida, is just one of six US referees who will be working at the men's and women's soccer tournaments from August 6-24. He will be an assistant referee in the 16 team men’s competition.
Kermit (39) got his start in soccer playing for Sawyer Youth Soccer in Louisville and became a referee at 14. It wasn't long before his potential was recognized by local USSF national referees Brian Darling and John David McGee, who mentored him in his formative years. He has officiated at numerous Major League Soccer games and international matches.
Kermit went to Male High School and Murray State University. He is now an athletic trainer and teacher at Taylor Middle High School in Pierson, Florida.
His parents, Estelle and Gordon, are long time soccer administrators and are heavily involved in the officiating program in the area, while his brother Mark is also a long time soccer official.
Kermit, who now resides in Florida, is just one of six US referees who will be working at the men's and women's soccer tournaments from August 6-24. He will be an assistant referee in the 16 team men’s competition.
Kermit (39) got his start in soccer playing for Sawyer Youth Soccer in Louisville and became a referee at 14. It wasn't long before his potential was recognized by local USSF national referees Brian Darling and John David McGee, who mentored him in his formative years. He has officiated at numerous Major League Soccer games and international matches.
Kermit went to Male High School and Murray State University. He is now an athletic trainer and teacher at Taylor Middle High School in Pierson, Florida.
His parents, Estelle and Gordon, are long time soccer administrators and are heavily involved in the officiating program in the area, while his brother Mark is also a long time soccer official.
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