Joins Rev. Father High Duffy, a catholic priest and three others to form the first youth soccer league in the Lakeland, Florida area. The five conducted demonstrations for previously unexposed-to-the-game youngsters who became interested. The first original two teams become a league.

The game needed referees so he became a USSF certified referee. Gunther reach the grade of State Referee Grade 5 and also became a referee assessor. The assignments allowed him to render his services not only to the State of Florida but to all the neighboring state in Region III (now South Region).

Appointed as District Referee Administrator and later Regional (Area) Referee Administrator.

Received his first coaching license.

His group joins the Tampa Bay Area Youth Soccer Association and becomes affiliated to the Florida Youth Soccer Association (FYSA) and US Soccer. All this time he served as a coach, public relations man, league/club administrator and referee.

Elected to the Florida Youth Soccer Association Board of directors with duties as Referee Liaison. He was also appointed to serve on several committees such as Review and Discipline, Protests and Appeals, and a representative tot he Florida State Referee Committee (FSR).

Served USYS Region III (South Region) as an administrator and manager of the assessment program for each of the youth south region tournaments. duties included the selection of referees to represent the region at the National Championships. He also served as a mentor to young yp and coming referees from all the Southern States.

Distinguished Referee Award

John Seimone Memorial Award

Obtained Life Membership in the US Soccer National Referee Program

Honorary Referee Award

Inducted into the Polk County, Florida Hall of Fame

FYSA Presidential Meritorious Service Award

Second award of the Presidential Meritorious Service Award

Inducted into the Florida Youth Soccer Association Hall of Fame

Received the Special Recognition Award from Florida Youth Soccer Association