Ted Howard (USA) - FIFA Referees Committee?

[MassachusettsRef]

A discussion on another board caused me to look at the makeup of the FIFA Referees Committee for the first time since the last World Cup. I remember there had been rumblings about Esse Baharmast angling for a spot on the committee, so I wasn't too surprised to see an American had finally made it onto the body, but I was shocked by the name:

http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/federation/bodies/committee=1882029.html

A quick google search shows that Howard is a member of the US Soccer Hall of Fame (2003), the Executive Director of the NASL for a period, and most recently (after a stint with the NBA) the Deputy General Secretary of CONCACAF (not clear if he still holds that post or not, but I believe he does).

Anyway, aside from his general soccer/sport credentials, does anybody know anything about his relationship to USSF in general and the refereeing community specifically? I plead ignorance--I've never heard his name before today. I don't know all the names on the Committee, but I recognize several former FIFA referees and always thought that, aside from the Chairman at times, the vast majority were former referees. So I'm unsure how Howard grabbed this spot and how exactly he fits in. Is this really good news for Marrufo & co. that slipped under the radar last year? I find it somewhat shocking that the most influential American in refereeing worldwide is someone who is--at least relatively--anonymous to the USSF community. You don't hear Howard's name in the same breath as Baharmast, Mauro, Hunt, etc., but perhaps we should...

[Pierre Head]

Ted Howard was the Deputy Commissioner of the NASL for
many years, responsible for the league operations. He previously
played in college, but I don't know if he has any refereeing experience.
I would guess not.

[chrisrun]

I find it somewhat shocking that the most influential American in refereeing worldwide is someone who is--at least relatively--anonymous to the USSF community. You don't hear Howard's name in the same breath as Baharmast, Mauro, Hunt, etc., but perhaps we should...

Joe Machnik oversees officiating for MLS, and I don't think he has any refereeing experience. I am guessing it's more an operational/political position, rather than a technical one.

[IASocFan]

Joe Machnik oversees officiating for MLS, and I don't think he has any refereeing experience. I am guessing it's more an operational/political position, rather than a technical one.


After some searching, I found Walt Chyzowych Lifetime Achievement Award Winner - Joe Machnik, 2005 (http://www.wcmfund.org/winners/2005/2005.htm)

Although coaching continued to be Machnik's prime involvement, he also continued to referee whenever possible and achieved National Referee status in both US Soccer and NISOA officiating the NCAA National Championship Game of 1988 (Indiana vs. Howard)...

When Chyzowych was named consultant to the newly formed Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) he recommended Machnik be appointed Referee-in-Chief, a position he served for five (5) years...officiating hundreds of indoor games... until he was named Commissioner of the American Indoor Soccer Association (AISA), which later became the NPSL and forerunner of today's MISL.

[chrisrun]

After some searching, I found Walt Chyzowych Lifetime Achievement Award Winner - Joe Machnik, 2005 (http://www.wcmfund.org/winners/2005/2005.htm)

I stand corrected...

[refmedic]

If you want to read some interesting commentary on Dr. Machnik, read the archives of Bob Evans' blog. You can find him mentioned in many a posting. He is often referred to as "the hockey man". He has some interesting things to say. Dr. Machnik is blamed for many of the nonsense that happened in MLS refereeing in the past.

As far as Ted Howard, I happened on his name recently on the list of the FIFA referee committee as well, and didn't think anythign of it until I red the OP. I'm unsure about his refereeing experience as well, and I couldn't find mention of him in any other fashion as it relates to refereeing other than on that committee, which is a pretty sweet place to be. It surprises me that, if he never was a referee, that a non-referee is on the committee. I hope he is representing the USSF well in that position and some US referees reap the benefits of having someone in a place like that.

[law5guy]

Interesting story from back in the NASL days:

http://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/30/sports/sports-people-soccer-forfeit-ordered.html

[Pierre Head]

It surprises me that, if he never was a referee, that a non-referee is on the committee. I hope he is representing the USSF well in that position and some US referees reap the benefits of having someone in a place like that.


Don't be so surprised. There are plenty of people who have been
on that committee who were never referees. One notable example
is the person who represented CONCACAF on the committee for many years,
Javier Arriaga of Mexico. He was also head of referees in Mexico and CONCACAF, and oversaw referee appointments to matches and big tournaments, such as Olympics, and World Cups, especially those
that took place in the CONCACAF region. He is also the father-in-law
of Edgardo Codesal.

[Pierre Head]

Interesting story from back in the NASL days:

http://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/30/sports/sports-people-soccer-forfeit-ordered.html


Great story. Guess who was the referee for this match???

[Pierre Head]

After some searching, I found Walt Chyzowych Lifetime Achievement Award Winner - Joe Machnik, 2005 (http://www.wcmfund.org/winners/2005/2005.htm)

When Chyzowych was named consultant to the newly formed Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) he recommended Machnik be appointed Referee-in-Chief, a position he served for five (5) years...officiating hundreds of indoor games... until he was named Commissioner of the American Indoor Soccer Association (AISA), which later became the NPSL and forerunner of today's MISL.



Machnik was recommended because of his knowledge of hockey, acquired
during his days at a college in Connecticut. This was because of
the similarity between hockey and indoor soccer regarding the
time penalties and power plays etc., which most "pure" soccer referees
were not familiar with. This was what led to his nickname among those
who object to and complain about his influence over the MLS referees.

[law5guy]

Interesting story from back in the NASL days:

http://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/30/sports/sports-people-soccer-forfeit-ordered.html

Great story. Guess who was the referee for this match???


Pierre, please tell us.

[Pierre Head]

Pierre, please tell us.

I was hoping someone would be able to dig up the
info!!

[oldmanreferee]

I was hoping someone would be able to dig up the
info!!

Pierre, please tell us.

Jacques Burelle , the vice president of the Montreal Manic of the North American Soccer League, has threatened to resign if Molson Breweries, which owns the team, fails to support his decision to cancel Saturday night's game against the Chicago Sting. Burelle wants the game canceled in protest of a league ruling that the Manic's game last Sunday was forfeited to the Sting because the Montreal players walked off the field in the second half after a dispute with Bob Evans , the referee.

A key member of the North American Soccer League administration from 1971 to 1984, fulfilling important leadership positions for most of its existence.

Personal Information
Class of 2003
Born: July 30, 1945

Among the many roles Howard played were Director of Administration from 1975 to 1977, Director of Operations from 1978 to 1980 and Executive Director from 1981 to 1984. Howard left the NASL for an executive position with the National Basketball Association before he came back to soccer in 2000 as the Deputy Secretary for CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football). Ted was a member of the original 1965 California State University Chico Varsity Soccer team. He also served as assistant soccer coach for the team and was the founder of the first high school soccer league in the Chico, Durham, and Yuba City areas.

http://national.soccerhall.org/builders/Ted_Howard.htm

[Pierre Head]

Congratulations, and well done!!

I knew someone would find it out, and very appropriate that
it is oldmanreferee from California. He was probably around
when this happened. Is he Bob Evans in disguise?

[oldmanreferee]

Congratulations, and well done!!

I knew someone would find it out, and very appropriate that
it is oldmanreferee from California. He was probably around
when this happened. Is he Bob Evans in disguise?
Yeah sure and your nicole pinart from sweden

[Pierre Head]

Yeah sure and your nicole pinart from sweden

Who is nicole pinart??

Do you mean the referee from Switzerland, I think
her name is Nicole, commonly known on referee boards
as the Swiss Miss??

Well... no!

And I now know you are not Bob Evans, because he would not have
written "your", when it should have been "you're"!