I hope to offer some guidance on how to keep things uncomplicated so that you can continue to referee collegiate soccer successfully for a long time. Let’s make that our goal. So how do we get there?

Kick off. Some perspective. Imagine you are the assignor (some of you don’t have to imagine at all) and you have 1000+ matches to fill for your season. For those playing along at home, that’s 3000 to 4000 individual referee positions you must click the drop-down menu and assign. As referees, we must find respect for the tireless work our assignors do. And in turn we must also do our part to shine and help streamline the process. Who doesn’t want to stand out as an official in a positive way anyway?

D1 assignor Chris Penso says “the best ability is availability.” A punny statement, but it rings true, doesn’t it?

The first thing we must do to accomplish our goal is be excellent at managing our calendars. Between our personal life, work life, and soccer — it can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. The title of this included “communication and integrity” so let’s utilize these concepts in our discourse. Because no one wants to receive an assignment (especially if it’s that big game you’ve been hoping for) and have the dreaded CIA happen… “calendar-induced anxiety” a.k.a “whoops i forgot to block…” and yet this is usually avoidable with a brand-new concept I’m introducing here today called …wait…for …it… “setting blocks.”

Do yourself, and your blood pressure, a favor and set aside 5 minutes (seriously) a couple/three days a week and go into the 5-ish platforms you have (one minute each, seriously) and look ahead and block! Start doing this in January (seriously February at the latest), and block even when you have something that’s tentative. Then, if your grandma’s 93rd birthday gets moved; you can go in and clear the block!

I realize for many of you this sounds so basic — but if you sat in the assigning chair with 4,000 blanks, wouldn’t you appreciate not having to assign a game, and then assign it again, and again? Trust me, those quick website-block-checks are worth not having the headache of having to miss your grandma’s 93rd birthday party. Moving on.

Integrity (in this context) means that when you receive an assignment, you accept that assignment. Holding out for a “bigger game” or a “higher fee/game” etc. isn’t cool. Bad vibes…very un-dude. Furthermore, this soccer-world is a very small world! And anybody who thinks that they can decline a game from one assignor, and then 48 hours later take a “better” game from another assignor, and still thinks that the first assignor won’t know —should take off their altered-reality headset.

It’s 2025. Assignors all talk to each other. Constantly. They reffed together in 2020… ok, like in the 90’s. So do your part, have some integrity, and accept what comes your way first. BTW in the long run this is a key component for ensuring a lengthy stay in the refereeing ranks (not just in college soccer).

Now to the other buzz word, as things do tend to happen sometimes, to all of us. Communication has entered the chat.

Just yesterday as I was beginning to write this, I had an issue — I had accepted a game and needed to turn it back. So, I picked up the phone and called Carmen Serbio and explained that I had something personal come up on the same day of a game I was assigned, 5 weeks out. Sometimes a phone call is best. And he said I could quote his reaction, which was: “anything that is faith, family, or occupation can come before soccer” and he immediately unassigned me from that game. He continued on by saying “turn backs should be few and far between, but I suggest everyone keep in mind their priorities outside of soccer. Communicate honestly and clearly with the assigners and heed off issues as soon as possible without waiting too close to the match so that the assigner can find a replacement that will serve the game the best.” Enough said? Cool.

But wait—if you take every assignment you’re given first (with integrity of course) and all your games are D3 …how will you ever get to ref the top conferences, the big games, postseason, NCAA and NAIA tournaments, how will you get to the final four, how will you wave to your mom on TV?

I realize that when you’re just getting into NISOA that this can seem quite daunting. Please know that refereeing soccer is a marathon, not a sprint, figuratively and actually. You have time to make it, and move up, and be seen. The concepts described above are the things to do. However there’s some things that aren’t the best practice, at least in my experience, and I want to briefly touch on them.

One thing NOT to do is cold call or email an assignor you want to work for, and “solicit” yourself to be on their roster. It’s simply not a good look to promote yourself as a referee. Instead, let your on-field performances do the talking. No good assignor would willingly deny an opportunity to a good referee.

The best way to get on someone’s list is for them to see you referee, or hear about your refereeing. Being added to a new assignor/conference list, ideally, needs to happen naturally, which honestly isn’t difficult; check it out-

The next time you’re at a tournament and one of these assignors is present, walk up and introduce yourself to them! Trust me, they know you want to be on their list, so you don’t have to say it with your outside voice. And since you’re a talented referee, who is a great, honest communicator, the truth is that they NEED you on their list! And if you don’t feel comfortable just walking up to them — you can ask one of the other referees on your crew to introduce you. It all starts with a handshake and a hello. And we’re all cut from the same cloth, and we’ve all been there.

And critically, you should strive to have a realistic view of the level you should be ref'ing at. Keep in mind: not everyone is at the D1 level and that's okay! There are plenty of games at all levels that need coverage. One last idea: what about setting some dates aside for your assignors and letting them know you’ve reserved those dates for them? That makes them a priority - and it works both ways.

Foster these organic relationships with honest integrity, good communication, and watch your refereeing rocketship take flight.

This is getting longer than I wanted it to be so let’s cut to the chase; the best way to get “there” is to be recommended by someone else (ref coach, fellow ref who’s currently on that roster, your mentor) or for that assignor to hear your name so many times that they can no longer ignore you and they’ll simply have to give you a shot!! Be relentless on the field and everything else will fall into place, I promise.

Lastly, when that opportunity comes, you must be prepared as best you can professionally to accept that assignment – allow me to quickly summarize:

You must be training all year so you’re in shape. July is too late (and hot) to buy running shoes. You must have your availability dialed so that when you accept a game, there isn’t a scheduling conflict. And then on game day, you must work so hard that you ensure another assignment, and another…

Keep in mind that everyone makes mistakes on the field. We miss calls, and many (if not most) of those can become teaching moments and be forgiven. What actually matters is how you respond to mistakes. Get back up, own it and learn from it. Then pass that knowledge onto others.

So as long as off the field you have a reputation of integrity, and you are communicating with your fellow referees and assignors in an honest and timely manner, you’ll do great. Think of yourself as a brand. Everything you do can affect your brand name either positively, or not. Be the Coca-Cola that everyone loves, don’t be Shasta – because who wants Shasta when they could have a Coke.

Hope that helps, good luck this season!

-L