2012 Recertification Clinics
Posted: 8/15/2011

Hello Referees. This is just a reminder that the 2012 Recertification clinics are posted on www.wisref.org. Please check your schedules and find one to sign up for. Would recommend sooner rather than later, as they are closed once they fill up. Recert clinics are to be completed by the end of the prior year. Clinics after 12/31/2011 are charged a late fee.

Entry Level Referee clinics are also listed on www.wisref.org. Please spread the word.

Memo to all USSF Referees in Wisconsin
Posted: 10/9/2010

Hello Wisconsin USSF Referees

During the last 14 - 16 months, there has been a significant amount of discussion and communication regarding the Wisconsin Program for Referee Development. The purpose of this communication is not to dwell on the past, or place recriminations and blame. We have no desire to continue the public and private debates of the past year. Any of those disagreements have been wiped clean by the USSF and we have a new opportunity ahead of us all. The purpose of this communication is to clarify the current state of affairs for the Referee Program and outline the initial steps moving forward. This is a long but important communication for all referees in Wisconsin. We ask you to please take the time to review it thoroughly.

As you may know, the USSF Policies set responsibility for selection and appointment of the State Referee Administrator (SRA) with the USSF state associations. With recent restructuring, Wisconsin has two state associations the Wisconsin Soccer Association/Wisconsin Adult Soccer Association (WASA) is the adult state association. The Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association (WYSA) is the youth state association in Wisconsin. By USSF rule, if the two state associations cannot agree upon an SRA, then the USSF Board shall determine an individual to serve in that role. This past summer, that is exactly what happened. The USSF Board selected Tom Mesalk to be the new SRA for Wisconsin to serve a two year term through August 31, 2011. The memo from the USSF with that verification can be viewed here.

During that process, the current structure of the Wisconsin Referee Committee was modified by the USSF Board to include 9 individuals. Four (4) adult representatives selected by the WASA president or their designee, four (4) youth representatives selected by the WYSA president or their designee and the SRA. That structure was established to allow Wisconsin to move forward with a clearly articulated structure and form to promote the programs needed for our state. In addition, through discussion with all parties, Peter Mariahazy, the President of WYSA, was asked and agreed to serve as the referee committee chair until the new structure and selection process can be defined by the committee. The rest of the committee members will be identified on the WisRef website shortly.

It is important to realize that the referee program in any state is a program of the USSF, overseen by the state associations. This allows the framework needed by the USSF and FIFA, but the flexibility to address needs within a given state. As appropriate. So in accordance with USSF Policy and consideration of the USSF Referee Administrative, the committee will look at additional members of the committee, for example such as the State Assignment Coordinator (SAC). We have set an initial, rough schedule of meetings for the referee committee monthly starting in November, to lay the foundation for the Referee program in Wisconsin moving forward. During these meetings we will add the appropriate positions to the Referee Committee as recommended by the USSF.

You as individual referees may have heard many things. Let us address the most prevalent, we are aware of:

• USSF Referees in Wisconsin are independent contractors. This position has been upheld by a judge at the circuit court level in Wisconsin. The State of Wisconsin Department of Labor did not challenge that ruling, so the ruling stands. Realistically, this means that any properly registered USSF referee is free to pursue work with any USSF sanctioned competition in Wisconsin. Currently, all WASA and WYSA sanctioned competitions are considered sanctioned by the USSF. This includes adult matches administered by the WYSA. As independent contractors, certified referees are free to accept or decline these assignments as you wish.
• Many years ago, the USSF instituted a program of certified assignors for adult and competitive youth matches. This was done to improve appropriate assignment levels of referees with matches. In Wisconsin, there has been an additional requirement for several years that all referee assignments must occur in the Arbiter system under the WisRef account for an assignor to be considered certified in our state. This software was implemented to increase the effectiveness of communication with referees, maintain accountability for the benefit of the competition authorities and provide one electronic location for referees to seek out assignments and manage their business. In addition, it is much easier to coordinate opportunities for referees to upgrade through verification of matches officiated. Finally, the competition authority (league director, tournament director) can review how match assignments are going. There are individuals currently assigning games that are not following this procedure. The Wisconsin Referee Committee will shortly identify the best plan moving forward.
• We have put together several other ideas for the committee to consider to continue the development of the referee program to the next level. These ideas include documentation and publication of policies and procedures, more bilingual certification classes, additional mentoring and assessments, expanded opportunities for adult game assessment for upgrades, reviewing the alignment of referees districts for better representation and the establishment of the Wisconsin Soccer Referee Hall of Fame.
• As you may be aware, the Referee Program has rented offices within the offices of the WYSA. This has provided additional administrative support to the referee program. We look for ways to increase efficiency in the processing of referee registration and reduce the turnaround time of the administrative steps required.
• Joe Krzyzaniak has graciously agreed to serve as the Wisconsin National Referee Liaison. In this role, Joe will continue the advancement of Level 7 and above referees and identify all referees, at any level, with the potential to achieve National Referee status. Joe's role as a National Level Inspector makes him an invaluable asset in this area of focus. Additionally, Joe will ably assist in the transition of the Referee Committee, and will continue to assist in the registration process.

During the transition process, emails for Joe Krzyzaniak, Tom Mesalk, Sue Walter, Bill Vanasse and Paul Beck will remain as they are. As changes are made, they will be communicated. Please continue to visit the wisref.org website for clinic and other Referee Program information. Thank you for your continued patience as we work through the details of the referee program moving forward. The ultimate goal is to provide the best available officiating for the USSF members in Wisconsin. Please look for continued and frequent communication either or both of us.

If you have any input or comment, please contact either of us.

Peter Mariahazy President Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association, Inc. (920) 841-2965 (c) president@wiyouthsoccer.com

Thomas Mesalk State Referee Administrator / State Director of Assessment Wisconsin Soccer Referee Development Program (262) 617-6408 (c) sda@wisref.org

State Referee Administrator - Wisconsin Soccer Referee Development Program, Inc.
Posted: 1/16/2010

From: Joe Krzyzaniak – WI SRA

This message is being posted to clarify for members of the Wisconsin Soccer Referee Development Program confusion that has occurred due to the inappropriate email sent out to many program members by Dmitar "Mich" Jovic. The first statement is directly from the Referee Administrative Handbook. Our program currently is set up as stated below. Only the State Referee Administrator is singled out in the USSF Handbook as being a jointly appointed position by the President of the Adult and Youth Association. The other positions are appointments made within the State Referee Committee unless a single individual is named jointly by the President of the Adult and Youth Association to serve as both the Chairperson and Administrator. The second statement was issued directly to named individuals by Adrian Garibay -- Director of Registration and Referee Administration - United States Soccer Federation -- with permission to post for your clarification. Changes occurring to State Referee Committee positions would also be posted on both USSoccer.com and www.wisref.org for you to verify Federation recognized changes.

SECTION 4 of the Referee Administrative Handbook

(b) The State Referee Committee shall consist of at least the following positions: a Chairperson, the State Referee Administrator; the State Youth Referee Administrator, the State Director of Referee Instruction, the State Director of Referee Assessment, the State Assignor Coordinator, the President or a representative of the youth State Association, and the President or representative of the adult State Association. The positions of Chairperson and State Referee Administrator may be combined with the joint agreement.

Wisconsin State Referee Committee
Posted: 1/15/2010

Contrary to what some individuals in Wisconsin have been saying and publishing, the current State Referee Committee members in Wisconsin, as recognized by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and confirmed at http://www.ussoccer.com/Referees/Referee-Development/State-Contact-Information.aspx are:

• Michael Wuertz, State Referee Committee Chairperson (SRC)
• Joseph Krzyzaniak, State Referee Administrator (SRA)
• Sue Walter, State Youth Referee Administrator (SYRA)
• Thomas J. Mesalk, State Director of Assessment (SDA)
• William Vanasse, State Director of Instruction (SDI)
• Paul Beck, State Assignment Coordinator (SAC)
  Note, Paul Beck is not listed on the ussoccer.com page linked above, but properly appointed by the current SRA

Wisconsin No Longer Conducting Grade 9 Courses
Posted: 11/9/2009

In order to increase the level of instruction and better prepare our referees for challenges on the field, we will no longer be conducting Grade 9 courses.

All individuals aspiring to become referees will attend the 16 hour Grade 8 course.

Individuals 12 and 13 will be registered as Grade 9 Recreational Referees. Upon reaching 14 years old and completing the Recertification Requirements these individuals will be advanced to Grade 8.

All individuals will take the Grade 8 exam and are expected to obtain a grade of 75 for satisfactory completion.

Currently registered Grade 9’s, will be required to attend an Upgrade Grade 9 to 8 Course when reaching 14 years old in order to advance to Grade 8. Should an Upgrade course not be available, current Grade 9’s will be required to attend the Grade 8 course.

Posted by: William L. Vanasse Jr., WI State Director of Instruction