Dr. Joe Manjone to Serve as First Southern Chair of National Federation of State High School Association Soccer Rules CommitteeIn the 87 year history of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), no individual from a southern state has ever chaired the Soccer Rules Committee – until now. Dr. Joe Manjone, Provost of Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach, Alabama, was recently selected as chairperson to lead this nine member committee consisting of soccer officials, coaches and state high school administrators from all over the nation in establishing rules for U.S. high school soccer.
“I am truly honored to be selected for this position,” said Dr. Manjone. “It will be my pleasure to serve as chair of the NFHS Soccer Rules Committee for the next four years.”
Approaching the golden anniversary of his soccer officiating career, Dr. Manjone has officiated nearly 2,000 soccer matches in seven U.S. states and at U.S. Army bases throughout Europe. His past experience also includes sports administrator positions with the U.S. Army, Penn State, Frostburg State University, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Other high school and collegiate sports he has officiated include basketball, baseball, softball, football, volleyball, swimming, track and field, and wrestling.
Although the 65 year old provost underwent hip replacement surgery in November 2005, he continues to demonstrate his love for the game and in Spring 2007 officiated approximately 40 high school and middle school games.
Dr. Manjone also serves as the rules interpreter and soccer championship coordinator for the Alabama High School Athletic Association, assignor of soccer referees for the North Alabama Soccer Officials Association, and is a founding member of the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (NISOA). He currently writes the annual NISOA High School Refresher Exam used by high school referees nationwide to prepare for the upcoming soccer season.
Dr. Manjone holds a bachelor’s degree in math and master’s in sports administration from Penn State, and a doctorate in sports administration from the University of Georgia. An officiating researcher and author, his works include the Co-recreational Sports Handbook and a number of articles such as Officiating the High School Way.
