Winona Daily News

The heyday of Winona soccer occurred in the late 1990s and early in this century when hundreds of kids from ages 8 to 17 played the world’s most famous game. At the height of involvement, Winona fielded soccer teams in every age group for both boys and girls. At one point we sent six or seven teams to the state tournament, and some even came back with state championship trophies. At that time Winona soccer players could play in the spring under the YMCA program, in the summer for the Winona Youth Soccer Association program, and in the fall for Park Rec until one could become part of the varsity or junior varsity programs at Winona Senior High School and Cotter High School.

It was during this time that my entire family was heavily involved in soccer not only as coaches and players but also as referees. It was also around this time that I was enjoined to play a role beyond being a “soccer mom” and get into the field as a soccer referee. My life has never been the same since.

Being a soccer referee is supposed to be an honored position. But you could not tell that from the way referees were pilloried during this year’s World Cup. It is not an easy task, and it is not for the weak-hearted for many different reasons. First of all, it is not enough to be able to pass the referee test every year after a grueling one or two days at a seminar on the “laws of the game.” One has to pass a second test in the fall in order to referee high school soccer. In other words one has to go through two written tests in one year. One also needs to be physically fit to run the three or more miles it takes to complete a game.

But, beyond those basics, one needs to be a very patient and caring individual on that soccer field. One has to understand that everyone comes in with his/her own perspective and will therefore view that game from that narrow perspective, whereas the referee is expected to be objective, know all the rules and call the game as best as it can be called given the circumstances. However, one encounters all kinds of people in a soccer match. From the many different types of players, skilled and unskilled, to the many different types of coaches, tame and untamed. There are also many different kinds of parents and audiences in a soccer match, knowledgeable and unknowledgeable � using the term “ignorant” would be too unkind. As an observant referee, I encounter all types of personalities and hear all kinds of comments on that sideline that can fill a book and that can serve as fodder for many future articles about soccer.

There have been times when unpleasant experiences have emanated from the soccer pitch that have caused some of our youth referees to quit after only a few years. Insensitive comments have made Michelle cry when she was a younger referee. The same harassing behavior has caused outrage in Gabe enough to throw out a player or coach. But, for the most part, the experiences have been more positive than negative, if you are willing to let every comment made just pass you by. Referee assignors love it when four Manriques sign up to do a tournament because they know they can assign us a field all day, and the games in that field will be covered without worries. We have gone to soccer tournaments all over the country, but the best of those experiences come from the more than 10 years the family has been involved in the USA Cup which takes place every summer on the 55 soccer fields in Blaine, Minn. For the past nine years, we had refereed in this international tournament that usually brings about 800 teams from 34 states and 18 countries all over the world. One is able to work with many different referees of all levels from state referees to national referees to top level international (FIFA) referees from about 20 different countries. Some of our best friends are referees from other countries.

Refereeing has also accorded different opportunities for members of the family. Gabe was named Minnesota Referee of the Year in 2001 and has been a state referee for many years as well as being an assessor. Michelle was named Youth Referee of the Year in 2000. She has upgraded to the next referee level and has indicated interest in doing this again next summer.

And so when I thought that I might be hanging up those refereeing boots after almost 10 years of working the pitch, I found myself taking the high school test online and passing it. I have my high school refereeing schedule, and so I guess I am here for another season (at least) and for more memories.

Cecilia Manrique, when not refereeing or cheering on the next American Idol or dancer in “So You Think You Can Dance?” teaches political science at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She lives in Winona with her husband, Gabe, and they have two children, Patrick and Michelle.

Guest views are opinions of the author and don’t necessarily reflect the views of the Winona Daily News. They are published to stimulate thought and to provide an expanded forum on issues of local interest.
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