2008 NCAA Rules Survey for Officials

The Executive Board received this message from Cliff McCrath, Secretary-Rules Editor, Men’s and Women’s Soccer Rules Committee and Director/Liaison of NISOA Communications:

Reference is made to the annual Rules Survey distributed to all college coaches and NISOA Officials. Our NCAA liaison, Teresa Smith, Assistant Director of Playing Rules Administration, informed me yesterday that her office has not yet received returns from any referees. I immediately contacted John Van de Vaarst and Ken Andres to obtain approval for sending this note asking that all able-bodied NISOA members take a few minutes – from what I know are very busy schedules – to help us out.

Please take a minute and fill out the online survey.

NISOA Executive Board Appointments

NISOA President Larry Dorsey announced the following appointments to the NISOA Executive Board:

  • Cliff McCrath has been appointed the Director/Liaison of NISOA Communications.  Cliff’s primary responsibility will be to interface and serve as a liaison with our outside constituents such as the NCAA, NAIA, NSCAA, NCCAA, NJCAA, and others.
  • John Van de Vaarst has been appointed Director of Operations.  He will be responsible for the day-to-day activities of NISOA as well as long range planning.  He will manage the budget and expenditures, maintain and update all NISOA publications and the Policy Manual, and oversee the web page.  He will respond to questions from chapter contacts and members, and coordinate agendas for the Executive Council and Annual Conventions.  He will be responsible for the logistical planning for the Annual Convention, the NSCAA convention and all workshops and training programs of the various Program Directors.
  • Mario Donnangelo will continue as an Associate Executive Director, with additional responsibilities. He will handle all NISOA membership issues, coordinate the awards programs and be the primary contact with our insurance carrier and chapter contacts on insurance matters.

Action Photos

One of the first improvements to our web site was the addition of a photo gallery. Our own Lou Minutoli has taken this one step further with his own online photo web site. You will find a lot of familiar faces (probably your own as well) on Lou’s site. Lou produces outstanding, high quality action photos as well as pre-game officiating team photos. Check it out.

Ken Andres Named NISOA Executive Director

Ken AndresKen Andres (Haddonfield, NJ) has been named the Executive Director of the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (NISOA), succeeding Dr. Raymond Bernabei who passed away on September 5, 2008, after leading NISOA for nearly forty years. Andres will serve as the Interim Executive Director pending selection of an individual to lead NISOA on a full-time basis. You can read more about Ken on this announcement from NISOA (pdf).

We wish Ken the best of luck in this important assignment.

Chapter Elections

The terms for all elected chapter executive board positions expire on December 31, 2008. If you are interested in running for any of the positions, please contact Bob Soskis, Chairman of the Election Slate Committee as soon as possible. Nominations will be accepted at the October 6, 2008 chapter business meeting. Nominees for elected positions must be present at the October 6, 2008 meeting to accept the nomination. Nominees who are absent will only be considered if they notified the Executive Board, in writing before the meeting that they will accept the nomination. Elections will be held at the October 22, 2008 chapter business meeting.

In Memory of Dr. Raymond Bernabei

Memorial BadgeThe NY Metro ISOA Executive Board requests our members honor the memory of Dr. Raymond Bernabei, by wearing a black ribbon or wrapping black tape on their NISOA badge for all intercollegiate soccer matches until September 15, 2008. Please click on the thumbnail for appropriate ribbon placement.

Dr. Raymond Bernabei, 1925-2008

Ray BernabeiFrom John Van de Vaarst and Mario Donnangelo:

It is with great sadness that we must inform you that Dr. Ray Bernabei passed away on Friday, September 5, 2008 from complications that resulted from his illness. We will inform you as soon as the family notifies us of the arrangements for the funeral. Let us continue to keep them in our prayers.

Dr. Bernabei has been NISOA’s only Executive Director, serving in that role since 1975 and for most of us, the face of NISOA. He will be missed.