As new soccer referee certification and re-certification efforts get underway in 2008, three northern Michigan soccer officials affiliated with Traverse Bay Area Youth Soccer have successfully completed United States Soccer Federation upgrade requirements. 

Bruce Falberg, Tom Spencer, and Randy Ward passed an upgrade to level 7 and Randy Smith made State Referee. Falberg, Spencer and Ward had been grade 8.  Smith had been a grade 7.  To upgrade, soccer officials are required to pass practical match assessments, fitness and theory examinations on the Laws of the Game.

Smith has 35 years of soccer refereeing experience. He has also been a coach and player.  Smith is a founding member of the Grand Traverse Area Soccer Officials Association and currently serves as vice president and the association’s trainer.

 Ward coached boys and girls youth teams for TBAYS for 12 years as well as  NorthStar Girls Premiere.   He is a USSF and National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) licensed coach.  He first certified as a USSF referee in 1999. 

 Falberg has been certified since 1976.  His soccer experience includes extensive playing and coaching experience. He is currently a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association and was involved with the Michigan High School Coaches Association for 20 years. He served 2 years on the Michigan High School Athletic Association Ethics Committee.

 Spencer is currently the Director of Referees for TBAYS and the boy’s soccer coach at Traverse City Christian High School.  He was selected by the MHSAA to referee state semi final boy’s matches the last 3 years and the state finals boy’s contest in 2 of the last 3 years.  He first certified with USSF in 2002.  He is also a USSF certified referee assignor.