Skip to main content
FOLLOW US ON:

HALL OF FAME 2001

SAMUEL “SAMMY” HOMICH

Sam Homich arrived in Florida in 1970 as an officer and member of the United States Air Force stationed at McCoy Air Force Base in Orlando. His first spare-time activity was building a soccer field.
At the same time, Sam became involved in Florida refereeing, where he contributed a great deal of time at the state and national levels. Some of his contributions to the referee program:

    • Certified as a North American Soccer League (NASL) referee where he served as a referee for 10 years and an assessor for 4 years.

    • State Referee Instructor from 1978 to 2000
    • National Assessor from 1980 to 2000
    • Florida State Director of Assessment 1984-1988
    • After retirement he continued contributing to the program as a referee mentor
    • Refereed over 25 years in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) soccer program
    • Was a member of the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (NISOA) where he officiated at a few Senior Bowls, NCAA Division II and NCAA Junior College finals. he was also NISOA’s official Russian interpreter during the referee exchange program in the late 1980’s.

    Sam grew up in Bayonne, New Jersey, home of several ethnic soccer teams and leagues. He played for the Bayonne Rangers and the Elizabeth Germans.

    After graduating from the USFA Aviation Cadet School, he continued playing, coaching, and refereeing wherever the Air Force took him – Scotland, Spain, Japan, Vietnam, to mention a few, as well as stateside assignments. In Florida, he played for the Orlando Clippers and coached the Orlando Kickers.

    Sammy received his B license in coaching in 1973. He attended all clinics, whether near or far, traveling on his own to places such as Colorado Springs and New Jersey to polish his skills.

    He was very proud of his 9-word feedback assessments: “Does good work, could do better, will improve,” he said he applied that ditty not only to soccer but to any endeavor.

    For all his accomplishments, Sam Homich always gave credit to his Northern Ireland-born wife. Without his patience and understanding, he would not have been able to serve our game in such a positive way.

    Sammy said that he was very proud to have been associated with some “great individuals, particularly the referees in Florida.” Well, Sammy, speaking for the referees in Florida, we are very proud to have had someone like you among us. Thank you, on behalf of 5,000-plus Florida referees.

    Sam Homich was inducted into the FSR Hall of Fame in 2001.