2008 Woodie Awards
Murray State Alumnus selected to officiate in Beijing
Issue date: 8/22/08 Section: Sports
Kyle Rogers
Staff writer
While many tune into the Olympics nightly, one former Racer is experiencing the action first-hand.
Murray State alumnus Kermit Quisenberry is representing the United States in China as a Men's soccer referee. Quisenberry, a Louisville, Ky. native, is one of six International Federation of Association Football referees officiating for the 2008 Olympic Games.
Quisenberry received his bachelor's degree in health education in 1993, and master's degree in outdoor recreation from Murray State.
"I am extremely excited and honored to be representing the United States of America as well as other soccer officials of the world," Quisenberry said.
Quisenberry started playing soccer for Sawyer Youth Soccer in Louisville and became a part of Kentucky Youth Soccer in 1984.
At 16, he attended a United States Soccer Federation clinic taught by John David McGee and Murray State alumnus Brian Darling, both USSF National Referees.
McGee and Darling worked with Quisenberry and gave him the opportunity to officiate top-level youth and adult tournaments.
Darling was recently inducted in the United States Adult Soccer Association Hall of Fame.
Quisenberry played at Louisville Male High School. He was an athletic trainer while at Murray State and officiated local youth and high school games in the Murray area. Quisenberry spent a week officiating in Portugal in 2003 before he became a FIFA referee. He also teaches health and personal fitness classes at Taylor Middle and High School in Pierson, Fla., and is a certified athletic trainer.
Ross Meloan, director of Career Services said he is a long-time friend of the Quisenberry family. Meloan is also a USSF and NCAA soccer referee.
"Kermit always spoke about his desire to become one of the best soccer officials in the U.S.," Meloan said. "He worked tirelessly at honing his skills through physical training and classes to develop a national reputation as a young, up-and-coming referee. Kermit has also been on television many times as an assistant referee in Major League Soccer competitions. It's been a real pleasure knowing him for all these years and watching him attain his dream job.
"The opportunity to represent your country as an Olympic official is an honor few can discuss. Kermit will do a fantastic job, not only as a representative of the United States, but also Kentucky and his alma mater Murray State University, which he refers to often."
As of press time, Quisenberry officiated in three games. On Aug. 7 he officiated Korea vs. Cameroon, Aug. 13 Australia vs. Cote D'Ivoire, and Aug. 16 Argentina vs. The Netherlands.
While in Beijing, Kermit and the other United States officials have kept a blog about their experiences in China.
You can read those comments at olympicrefs.blogspot.com/.
Kyle Rogers can be reached at kyle.rogers@murraystate.edu.
Staff writer
While many tune into the Olympics nightly, one former Racer is experiencing the action first-hand.
Murray State alumnus Kermit Quisenberry is representing the United States in China as a Men's soccer referee. Quisenberry, a Louisville, Ky. native, is one of six International Federation of Association Football referees officiating for the 2008 Olympic Games.
Quisenberry received his bachelor's degree in health education in 1993, and master's degree in outdoor recreation from Murray State.
"I am extremely excited and honored to be representing the United States of America as well as other soccer officials of the world," Quisenberry said.
Quisenberry started playing soccer for Sawyer Youth Soccer in Louisville and became a part of Kentucky Youth Soccer in 1984.
At 16, he attended a United States Soccer Federation clinic taught by John David McGee and Murray State alumnus Brian Darling, both USSF National Referees.
McGee and Darling worked with Quisenberry and gave him the opportunity to officiate top-level youth and adult tournaments.
Darling was recently inducted in the United States Adult Soccer Association Hall of Fame.
Quisenberry played at Louisville Male High School. He was an athletic trainer while at Murray State and officiated local youth and high school games in the Murray area. Quisenberry spent a week officiating in Portugal in 2003 before he became a FIFA referee. He also teaches health and personal fitness classes at Taylor Middle and High School in Pierson, Fla., and is a certified athletic trainer.
Ross Meloan, director of Career Services said he is a long-time friend of the Quisenberry family. Meloan is also a USSF and NCAA soccer referee.
"Kermit always spoke about his desire to become one of the best soccer officials in the U.S.," Meloan said. "He worked tirelessly at honing his skills through physical training and classes to develop a national reputation as a young, up-and-coming referee. Kermit has also been on television many times as an assistant referee in Major League Soccer competitions. It's been a real pleasure knowing him for all these years and watching him attain his dream job.
"The opportunity to represent your country as an Olympic official is an honor few can discuss. Kermit will do a fantastic job, not only as a representative of the United States, but also Kentucky and his alma mater Murray State University, which he refers to often."
As of press time, Quisenberry officiated in three games. On Aug. 7 he officiated Korea vs. Cameroon, Aug. 13 Australia vs. Cote D'Ivoire, and Aug. 16 Argentina vs. The Netherlands.
While in Beijing, Kermit and the other United States officials have kept a blog about their experiences in China.
You can read those comments at olympicrefs.blogspot.com/.
Kyle Rogers can be reached at kyle.rogers@murraystate.edu.
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