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Local Soccer Referee Gains National Status |
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Local Soccer Referee Gains National Status |
(April 11, 2002)---A Lansing man has been honored by the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) as a National Soccer Referee, Grade 3.
Brent Sorg, 27, becomes the first Lansing area native to achieve national status, making him eligible to officiate top-level soccer matches.
"Brent has long been one of our most competent and well-respected referees," said Rick Gouthro, president of the Greater Lansing Area Soccer Referees Association. "His hard work and dedication to the sport have placed him among the elite, and we're honored to have him as a GLASRA member."
To be certified as a national soccer referee, candidates must be able to demonstrate proficiency on the field and in the classroom. The USSF National Referee Committee certifies referees as Grade 3 or 4, with Grade 3 given to those who perform at the highest level in their physical tests. Sorg expects to begin with A-League matches before moving up to Major League Soccer matches such as those involving the Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew. As a National Referee Grade 3, Sorg also becomes an International Panel Candidate which could lead to officiating international matches if he later is certified as a Grade 1 or 2 referee.
While Sorg is one of only five certified national referees from Michigan, he is the first who hails from Lansing. He was graduated from East Lansing High School in 1994, and from Lansing Community College's Law Enforcement Academy in 1999. Sorg is a patrol officer with Lansing Police Department.
Congratulations to GLASRA member Marc Lawrence who also was recently certified as a National Soccer Referee Grade 3. Lawrence, a native of Brighton, attends Cooley Law School in Lansing.