HALL OF FAME 2019

MICHAEL MEKELBURG SR

Michael Mekelburg Sr was born in Cambridge, Nebraska in 1952.  His family moved to Denver, Colorado when he was 2 years old and they lived on the Southwest side of Denver raising horses, rabbits and chickens. He played Fast Pitch Soft Ball starting in the 5th grade and played on a Men’s City team as a catcher till he graduated from High School. In high school he was a 4 – year letterman in track, cross country and football. He was in the Boy Scouts until age 17, and he attended Redeemer Lutheran Church and Grade School and helped his father who was the custodian for the church and school.  He attended Denver Lutheran High School graduating in 1970.

Mike served in the US Air National Guard and the US Coast Guard for 26 1/2 years retiring in 1996.

From November 1972-April 2014 Mike was married to his first wife, Sharon, and celebrated 41 years of marriage until she passed away in April 2014.  They raised two sons Michael Jr, 44 and John, 42. Mike as two grandchildren ages 14 and 11.  In June 2017 Mike married  his second and current wife, Doris.

His soccer autobiography is as follows:

  • 1983-1996
    I was introduced to soccer while Stationed at US Coast Guard Headquarters Air Station Washington DC. Starting as a volunteer coach in Prince William County Virginia Recreational League in Dale City. No one else was available to help or wanted to volunteer as a coach my sons U8 team. I received my coaching book by Walt Chyzowych Basic Soccer Drills, teaching myself about the game, so I could teach the kids.
  • 1985
    I attended and received my Soccer Coaches “D” License in Fairfax Virginia; the instructor was Hank Leung Head Girls Soccer Coach at George Mason University. I continued to coach as an assistant coach for the Prince William Rangers Boys U10-U11 the team won 1985 Virginia State Championship, and several other tournaments in Arlington, Reston, Springfield and Fredericksburg Virginia.
  • 1986
    I moved to Tampa Florida due to military transfer to USCG Air Station Clearwater.
  • 1986-1993
    I joined the Blackwatch Soccer Club as an Assistant Coach with Blackwatch Kelly U11, where my son played from 1986 to 1993 winning 4 State Championships and 1 Southeast Regional Championship and multiple tournaments in the US and Canada. I served as the Blackwatch Soccer Club Assignor, assigning Linesmen to all the clubs home games from 1986 to 1988.
  • 1989
    Certified as a Referee Grade 8, officiating youth games U10 to U19 boys and Girls 1991- Upgraded to Referee Grade 7, officiating youth and Adult League games Florida Suncoast Soccer League
  • 1993-1999
    Selected by FSR to Referee FYSA Youth Presidents, State Cup, FSSA State Cup and Knockout Rounds.
  • 1993
    Southeast Region 3 Championships in Jackson Mississippi, assigned U14B Regional Final.
  • 1994
    Attended Official Referee Assignor Course held and Instructed by Mario Alarcon
  • 1995
    Upgraded to State Referee Grade 6
  • 1996
    First registered as a Referee Assignor Grade 8 in accordance with US Soccer requirements
  • 2003-2014
    Associate Assessor
  • 2010
    Upgraded to State Referee Grade 5
  • 2011-present
    Associate Instructor
  • 2012-2017
    Emeritus Referee
  • 2016-present
    Assessor Grade 5
  • 2017-present
    National Assignor Grade 3

His soccer autobiography is as follows:

  • 2010-present
    Appointed by FSSA to assign the Florida Classic Adult Soccer Tournament
  • 2011-2015
    Appointed by SRA and SDA as Group Administrator to set up and administer Gameofficials FSR1180. FSR’s Assessment Program for tracking Assessments and Referee assignments for out of system assessments. Assign Referee’s to Youth and Adult State Sponsored Events and State Cup matches’ and assists in scheduling of Assessors for those FYSA and FSSA Events. Review and coordinate with the SDA and upload completed assessments to US Soccer Federation Referee Programs Administrator.
  • 2011-13
    Appointed by the USL and Major Beach Soccer as the Director of Beach Soccer Referees and assignor for the Beach Soccer National Championships held in December 2011, 12 and 13 at Clearwater Beach.
  • 2012
    Assisted in hosting and Administering the first ever FIFA Beach Soccer Referee and Coaches Course held in the United States in conjunction with the National Beach Soccer Championships.
  • 2011-13
    Appointed Referee Assignor for FYSA Florida State Premier League, USYSA Southern Premier League and Region III Premier League games played at FYSA Lake Myrtle Sports Complex.
  • 2011-2014
    Appointed to Assist in the Annual Administration of the National Referee Training Seminar (RTS) FIFA Fitness test in Orlando Florida.
  • 2013
    Selected as Referee and Assessor at the Veterans Cup held in San Diego California
  • 2013
    Requested by GameOfficials in marketing and supporting other State Associations in the use of Gameofficials as assessment tracking system for out of system assessments like FSR Assessment Program.
  • 2013-2015
    Appointed to the joint FYSA/FSSA FSR Oversight Committee by FSSA
  • 2014-2015
    Appointed as the State Director of Mentors and Referee Academy
  • 2014
    Received US Soccer Lifetime Achievement Award
  • 2014-present
    Appointed by Herb Silva at US Soccer as the Florida LAC now National Assignor
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