Soccer People

[Clevelandmo]

Since there is no game until the 21st here is something to fill the void.

My 15 yr old son started officiating recreational level soccer games last year. Each year you have to take a recertification course to maintain your license. My son was signed up for a course this Saturday from 1:30 - 3:30 pm and just yesterday I recieved an email saying the course will start at 11 am (the online registration still says the course is at 1:30btw). Well my son has a track meet at 9 am so he cant make it to a course that starts at 11 am. Since the course registration website is confusing about getting your money back or switching to a different course, I emailed the guy for suggestions on what to do and whether I was misunderstanding his email. Here is the response I got

We have a VERY tight schedule that day, trying to recert/upgrade THREE different types of officials, plus hold a meeting of the Akron Soccer Referees Assn. in the same room at 3pm. Generally, soccer people are not sympathetic to those who are trying to do other things at the same time as soccer events. We expect soccer people to be committed first to their soccer commitments, and then work in whatever else they want to do into the time available. If track comes first, perhaps your son should be a track person and not a soccer person.

What do you think? Should I respond to that? This term "soccer people" - anyone heard it before? Where is Christian when you need him.

[DCHeather]

What an ass. Gotta love it when insecure, domineering individuals are in charge.

My best response would be something along these lines: It seems that you answered my question as to whether the course would be at 11 or 1:30; however my son has made a previous commitment to his team during that time and will not be able to make the new course time. I would like my money refunded. Thank you.

Something along those lines. Do you know if this guy is in charge of ref assignments? If so, try not to be confrontational at all. Hope there is another opportunity for son to be re-certified, I would stay away from this guy or place.

[VegasJustin]

I will find it hard not to be in your face after receiving that kind of email. That guy is a jackass and as far as I'm concerned, you would be well within societal standards to send him an angry response.

What the hell does soccer people mean?

[jimsig]

You may also want to add that everbody else is not sympathetic when plans get changed at the last minute and if they "expect soccer people to be committed first to their soccer commitments" they should not have changed the time" as you son was not "trying to do other things at the same time as soccer events" because the original time was 1:30p, not 11a.

I would also try and find out if this guy is in charge of if he has a supervisor and let him/her know that you do not appreciate this guys tone. As Heather said if this guy could impact your sons ability to ref you may want to be careful, but if he does not let it fly.

[SoCalJoe]

Congrats Mo on having the fortitude not to immediately send this idiot a scathing response because that's frankly what he deserves. It's patronizing, condescending, and rude. If this is the only course for the season and your son is out of luck, an email along with your family's list of contributions to the sport in your community and what you thought of his tone and his word usage is in tall order.

[AggieMatt]

Are they really that flush with referees that they can turn people away in such a condescending manner? I doubt it. That email is appalling, but unfortunately, not all that surprising.

[pettyfog]

Mo, I feel for you but it's nothing new. Never had that problem with my leagues but COSA {Columbus} was KNOWN for that sort of attitude on all levels.
What I'm thinking is that the guy is already getting tons of heat for the poor planning and getting yours didnt help.

What you should address in the response is 'RESPONSIBILITY TO TEAM AND TEAMMATES' Sorta kinda what 'Soccer People' are supposed to imbue.

We have a VERY tight schedule that day, trying to recert/upgrade THREE different types of officials, plus hold a meeting of the Akron Soccer Referees Assn. in the same room at 3pm.

Answer: WHY? For whose convenience was THAT? Does some official have a birthday party scheduled for next saturday?

And it's a freakin REC LEAGUE!!!! Rec league soccer aint for 'soccer people'.

And to pile onto THAT... wonder what if your son had a Select League soccer game scheduled for 9? Guess he'd have to choose between being REAL Soccer People or pansy-ass rec league soccer referee people.

[Clevelandmo]

Fog I was thinking the same thing about the guy getting heat too, being stressed and maybe the terrible planning and online issues had nothing to do with him. Still, I just asked a question and didnt place any blame. It was a jaw dropping email and Heahter hit the nail on the head - "insecure and domineering".

I didnt respond to the guy, our local ref coordinator was able to help me. On a different day, I might have given the guy a proper response but I was in no mood for that having just sent a scathing email to the director of coaching for our community soccer club a few days earlier. I was still feeling guilty over that I suppose but the guy deserved it. I'd been bottling up what I thought about how he runs things for too many years. It's all about rules, regulations, money, and not just letting the kids play. Christian was right about the youth soccer organizations. Those of you who havent been there yet, but might be some day; all I can say is be wary of US Youth Soccer and the state federations under them. US Club Soccer is the way to go. The former is about rules and control (i. e. what cant be done) and the latter is about player development and what is best for the club and the players.

Ag you are correct, there is not a glut of refs in the area. In fact my son was needed to ref Sat afternoon so that's now what he'll be doing instead of going to the course.

[pettyfog]

Only resurrecting this thread to give props to some 'soccer people' who put on the Warrior Classic every Memorial Day Weekend in Dayton.

It's a truly big deal.. it was 25 years ago and apparently still is:

http://www.daytondailynews.com/dayton-sports/annual-warrior-soccer-classic-kicks-off-today-1381723.html

It’s been a vision more than a decade in the making, and now the Warrior Soccer Complex is ready for full use as 520 teams descend upon the Dayton area for the 26th annual adidas Warrior Soccer Classic this weekend.

The state of the art, 16-field complex in Huber Heights is the centerpiece of the tournament, which also will take place at parks in Oakwood, Vandalia and Beavercreek Township as well as two complexes in Huber Heights.

In our day, there used to be about 10 pitches set up adjacent to the AF Museum.. That was the auxiliary venue the kids liked best.

Now back to 'soccer people' You do what you can with the people you have.. Here's the Warrior Classic Web site..
http://www.warriorclassic.com/
Well built and contains slots for all the interesting stuff.. BUT.. There's nothing current posted except for a few pictures, of the Wright B flyover.

[Clevelandmo]

Nice Fog. I hadnt heard of that tourney. These days we spend Memorial Day in Toledo at the Pacesetter Soccer Tournament. Just west of Toledo in Sylvannia, OH they have 30 beautifully maintained soccer fields - flat, with perfect grass and not a weed in sight. Just thinking about the number of teams playing in OH this weekend makes me realize that an astounding amount of soccer is being played across the country - and good soccer too. These soccer people are doing some good when they're not lecturing about how perhaps someone should just stick to track.