2018 Referee of the Week Awards
Week 1-Mike Lavergne
The NISOA Referee of the Week is a recognition for our highest performing members throughout the country. Our first NISOA Referee of the Week is Mike Lavergne from the South Texas ISOA.
Mike hails from San Antonio, TX and was nominated by his local chapter contact and vice president Terry (Lane) Burris Sr. Mike has been a member of NISOA since 2009. He has participated as a referee at the 2016 Division III Men’s Final Four Championship and the 2017 Division II Men’s Final Four Semifinal. He currently officiates in the following conference ACC, Big 12, Big East, CUSA, Pac 12, SEC, Southland, Sunbelt, and WCC.
Being a former Division I player at University of Evansville, Mike recently took charge of two Division 1 matches featuring the University of North Carolina vs. Ohio State University (women) and Florida International University vs. Elon (men). He is noted for having an exceptional “feel” for the game as well as management of players. Mike is active in his local and regional soccer community by working tirelessly as a mentor for the next wave of outstanding NISOA officials.
Congratulations to Mike Lavergne for this well deserved recognition.
Week 2-Tori Penso
The 2018 NISOA Referee of the Week for Week 2 is Tori Penso from North Ohio ISOA. Due to the demands of her professional career, Tori has been a member of various NISOA chapters throughout the country. She and her family currently reside in St. Petersburg, Florida. Tori was nominated by long time Triangle ISOA president and conference assignor Roger Morton.
Tori oversaw Eastern Kentucky University’s first ever victory over University of Kentucky by the score of 1-0. Her second match of the week involved #13 North Carolina State claiming a narrow 2-1 victory over #15 South Carolina.
She has been a member of NISOA since 2008, culminating with her NCAA appointments as the referee for the 2014 Division III Women’s Final Four Championship and the 2015 Division I Women’s College Cup Semifinal. Recently, Tori returned to the field after welcoming her third child, Brinley Finn, in March 2018 with her husband and NISOA National Referee Chris Penso.
Over the years, Tori has been an invaluable asset to NISOA by showing perseverance, determination, and professionalism while being a role model & mentor to all officials throughout the collegiate soccer landscape.
Congratulations Tori!
Week 3-Mike De Felice
Mike De Felice from IOSA New Jersey is the week 3 winner of the 2018 NISOA Collegiate Referee of the week. Mike was nominated by ISOA New Jersey chapter contact, NISOA Hall of Famer and former NISOA president George Wescott. Mike resides in Mount Laurel, NJ.
As a result of his professionalism, work ethic, and dependability, Mike works in many conferences along the eastern seaboard including but not limited to Big East, Big Ten, Ivy, NEC, and the Patriot League. Mike took charge of 3 matches last week, highlighted by a women’s match between Virginia Tech vs. Villanova played at Talen Energy Stadium, home of the Philadelphia Union. He received high remarks for his performances.
He has been a member of NISOA since 2003 and member of the National Referee Program since 2012. For the better part of half a decade, Mike has been active in his local chapter as the director of mentoring and recruitment of new officials. He also sits on the ISOA-NJ executive board. Congratulations, Mike!
Week 4-Emily Gomez
We are pleased to announce Emily Gomez from Central Mississippi ISOA as the week 4 winner of the 2018 NISOA Collegiate Referee of the week.
Emily is currently a senior studying economics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She was nominated by Mid South Tennessee ISOA president and Gulf South conference assignor Mark Herrington.
Emily received high marks from her peers and coaches for her performances for the Gulf South Conference (Division II). She was assigned as the referee for the women’s match between Deltona State vs. West Alabama. Following her performance, Emily was assigned as the Senior Assistant Referee on the men’s match between the same two schools.
Emily has been a member of NISOA since 2016. In the offseason, she is active in mentoring local officials back home in Mississippi.
Congratulations Emily!
We are pleased to announce T.J. McCree from Tri County (CA) ISOA as the week 5 winner of the 2018 NISOA Collegiate Referee of the week.
T.J. has been a member of NISOA since 2015 and currently resides in Riverside, California. T.J. has worked hard and developed very quickly as a college soccer referee. He currently works in the Big West, CCCAA, SCIAC, and WAC conference. T.J. was nominated by NISOA Hall of Famer & current Sr. Director of Evaluations, George Noujaim, after watching his performances as a Referee at Fullerton College and as an Assistant Referee at UC-Riverside.
T.J. attended the NISOA Referee Training Academy at Elizabethtown, PA in 2015. He has since been a dedicated member of NISOA and continues to take every opportunity in continuing his education within collegiate soccer, all while balancing his professional occupation as a Sr. Client Manager at Opus Bank.
Congratulations T.J.
Week 6-Michael Smith
We are pleased to announce Michael Smith from Alabama ISOA as the week 6 winner of the 2018 NISOA Collegiate Referee of the week.
Michael lives in Birmingham, Alabama and was nominated by National Assessor Kristine Bailey for his performance on a Division II Men’s Gulf South Conference matchup between Delta State vs. West Alabama.
Michael’s consistently excellent foul selection, fitness, management, and communication with both players and coaching staff exemplified his elite officiating capabilities.
He has been a member of NISOA since 2013, and a career that includes invitations to the Women’s Sunbelt Conference tournament, Men’s Gulf South Conference tournament, and the Southern States Conference tournament.
Michael is active within his local NISOA chapter by assisting in the identification and recruitment of new NISOA members. He is also the Vice President and lead clinician of his local high school chapter. Michael works tirelessly as a mentor of all officials within the South Region at various clinics and tournaments.
When away from the pitch, Michael is a competitive pickle ball player. Congratulations Michael.
Week 7-Adam Zarrin
On behalf of the selection committee, we are pleased to announce Adam Zarrin from Colorado ISOA as the week 7 winner of the 2018 NISOA Collegiate Referee of the week.
Adam resides in Denver, Colorado and was nominated by Conference Assignor and NISOA Hall of Famer, Paul Scott for his performances in the Western Athletic Conference. Recently, Adam took charge of Utah Valley State vs. UMKC. In addition to the WAC, he also regularly officiates in the Big Sky, Big West, MWC, PAC-12, Rocky Mountain, and the WCC.
Adam has been a member of NISOA since 2014, culminating with his appointment to the 2017 WAC men’s soccer championship. He is active within the state of Colorado by providing small group mentoring sessions to newer officials and also his passion for instructing. Later this month, he will be the featured instructor for the advanced referee clinic for Colorado.
In his professional career, Adam works on Governor Hickenlooper’s policy team, on point to provide research, analysis, and strategy on justice and public safety policy.
Congratulations Adam.
Week 8-Danny Marques
We are pleased to announce Danny Marques from Greater New Haven (Connecticut) ISOA as the week 8 winner of the 2018 NISOA Collegiate Referee of the week.
Danny resides in North Haven, Connecticut and was nominated by Conference Assignor and NISOA Hall of Famer, Dr. Joseph Machnik for his performances in the Northeast Conference. Recently, Danny took charge of the women’s match between Hartford vs. Albany. In addition to the NEC, Danny also regularly officiates in conferences including the AAC, American East, Atlantic 10, Ivy League, MAAC, and the Patriot League.
Danny has been a member of NISOA since 2004, with a career featuring appointments to the 2015 and 2016 NAIA men’s soccer championships. He has also been an active member of the NISOA National Referee Program since 2009.
Danny is heavily involved with referee development back in Connecticut, serving as the rule’s interpreter and instructor of his local high school soccer association, GNHSOA. He is also involved with mentoring and recruiting new officials for GNHSOA. Danny is a certified State Assessor and Instructor with the Connecticut State Referee Program. When away from the field, Danny works as an administrative assistant for the Geno’s Restaurant Group.
Congratulations, Danny!
Week 9-Magda Zwierzchowski
On behalf of the selection committee, we are pleased to announce Magda Zwierzchowski from IOSA New Jersey as the week 9 winner of the 2018 NISOA Collegiate Referee of the week.
Magda resides in Moorestown, New Jersey and was nominated by Conference Assignor and NISOA Hall of Famer Paul Tamberino for her performances in the MAAC and Ivy League. Recently, Magda took charge of the women’s match between Fairfield vs. St Peters, Columbia vs. Dartmouth, Sacred Heart vs. Robert Morris, and Stevens IT vs. Western Connecticut. In addition to the MAAC and the Ivy League, Magda also regularly officiates in the ACC, Big East, Big Ten, NEC, and Patriot League.
Magda has been a member of NISOA since 2014 Her relatively brief college career includes impressive appointments to the 2014, 2015, 2016 NJCAA women’s soccer postseason. She has also participated in the NEC and MAAC conference championships. Magda is actively involved with her local NISOA chapter in assisting with identifying and recruiting promising potential new members for IOSA New Jersey. As part of her commitment to referee excellence, Magda attends various referee events and clinics throughout the country.
When away from the field, Magda works in accounting and sales for a small company located in Pennsauken, NJ.
Congratulations Magda!
Week 10-Jamie WIllis
We are pleased to recognize Jamie Willis from the Florida West Coast ISOA Chapter as the NISOA Referee of the Week. Jamie was nominated by NISOA Hall of Famer, Manuel Ortiz, Jr. for her recent work in the Sunshine State Conference, Conference USA and Big 12 conference championship playoffs.
Jamie’s career includes appointments to the NJCAA National Championships as well as the NCAA Championships from first round to the finals. Jamie is finishing her 6th year as a NISOA member and is very active with referee administration, recruiting and development in Florida. An accomplished baker off the field, Jamie strives to maintain balance and a keen sense of self-awareness and self-assessment in everything she does.
Congratulations, Jamie.