| When I first founded the Western Maryland Youth Soccer Referees
Association in 1992 (now WMSOA) I called Nelson. Because of the fresh split of MWSRA in
the formation of CASRA I wanted him to know I was not breaking away, rather I was trying
to be sure the league in Frederick would have referees. Frederick County youth
soccer was growing, and it had recently affiliated. We needed to have a referee
organization train, assign, and support the officials and not have it done by the league.
We didn't want to compete with MWSRA; we wanted to serve our geographical area.
Nelson told me to go for it. He shared some of what he went through getting MWSRA
off the ground. He told me if I needed his help he would be there for me. He
recommended instructors like Don to come train more members.
Nelson's "blessing" is what convinced me to go for it. I called every
FIFA official who had attended an league sponsored clinic in Frederick and Hagerstown and
invited them to come form an organization. They did, we voted on the bylaws I wrote
(using MWSRA's as the base) and we began with Jim Deegan as our first president. On
January 21, 1992 we passed our bylaws and constitution, elected our first officers, and
began. Without the encouragement of Nelson and his constant promotion of my
efforts there would today not be a WMSOA.
I miss having him to talk to, and to argue with, and to have behind my efforts to be
the official he once told me he thought I could be. |