CJSL Games Chairperson David Gordon on left with Chip Reed on right. (Photo courtesy of the CJSL)

The Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League has named Chip Reed as its referee director, it was announced on Friday.

Reed will be the point person for all referee matters that occur in the CJSL, including but not limited to referee game issues, referee education, young referee mentorship plus liaison between the league, the referee assignors and the Eastern New York Referee Association.

CJSL honored Reed as the 2021 league official of the year for his commitment and dedication to the league, clubs and players. The Scarsdale, N.Y. resident brings a wealth of experience to his new role:

U.S. Soccer national referee 1988-2006, currently Emeritus

FIFA assistant referee 1992-1998, 7 World Cup Qualifiers

MLS assistant referee 1996-2006 (MLS Cup 1998, all-star games 1996, 1998)

A-League (USL-1) referee 1992-2006

PRO referee assessor, 2020-present

U.S. Soccer national referee coach, 2018-present

NISOA referee, 1981-present

NISOA national referee assessor, 2018-present

High school referee, 1976-present

“I was ecstatic when CJSL president Ron Restrepo and CJSL director Dimitrie Draguca approached me during the winter break to think about working with the league to help with referee education and other aspects of the dynamics between league and referee,” Chip said. “It’s so important for referees to learn and grow, and I hope to be that person to help develop that for the league.”

Draguca added, “We are so excited to have Chip working with us as he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the CJSL. Leagues need to evolve and work with the referee associations better so we can provide our clubs with the game experience they deserve. Having this role now, of a Referee Director in our league, will help us in this respect, and help us develop new referees, retain current referees and improve the overall game experience.”

If you have a question for Reed, you can contact him at [email protected]

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.