Indiana Soccer is excited to announce the appointment of Tom Berger as the new State Youth Referee Administrator, (SYRA). Tom Berger began his Indiana youth soccer experience in 1991 when his oldest daughter started playing soccer. Tom continued to coach both of his girls for the next 5 years. In 1993, he became a grade 8 referee and worked his way to a grade 6 referee by 2007. Tom also became an assessor and instructor for USSF during this time. Tom upgraded both his initial assessor and instructor licenses to the state levels. With the changes in nomenclature at US (United States) Soccer, Tom transitioned his assessor and instructor licenses to referee coach.
Tom, in 1994, became a high school soccer referee for Indiana. He has had the honor and privilege to work on numerous sectionals, regionals, semi-states, and state finals games and continues to referee high school games today. Tom served as a District Referee Administrator (DRA) for Indiana from 1997-2013. In 2013, Tom joined the United States Youth Soccer (USYS) Presidents Cup regional staff and continues to serve as a valuable member of this committee. From 2014 to the present, Tom holds the positions of Assistant Director of Instruction and Assistant Director of Assessment for the State of Kentucky. He looks forward to working with the Indiana referee, coaching and administrative communities to address the inherent challenges of the Indiana State Youth Referee Administrator (SYRA).
“It is a privilege for me and the state of Indiana to have Tom Berger in the role of SYRA. His experience as a referee and referee administrator, and passion for the overall soccer community, makes Tom a perfect fit”. Stated Dave Guthrie, Executive Director of Indiana Soccer and board member of the Indiana Referee Association.