Horizon League names Steve Siomos as new Coordinator of Men's and Women's Soccer Officials

Feb. 27, 2008

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INDIANAPOLIS -- Horizon League Commissioner Jonathan B. LeCrone announced Wednesday (Feb. 27) the hiring of Steve Siomos as the League's new Coordinator of Men's and Women's Soccer Officials.

Siomos, who has served in a similar capacity with the Big Ten Conference since 1990 and the Summit League since 2001, succeeds Kim Vieira as the assignor for all soccer matches hosted by Horizon League institutions. Siomos will continue his duties with the Big Ten and Summit League.

"I think the Horizon League is a very good conference with quality soccer programs, and it offers challenging matches for the referees," Siomos said. "After I spoke to Commissioner LeCrone and (senior associate commissioner) Alfreeda Goff, I felt so welcome that I knew I wanted this position."

In his position with the Horizon League, Siomos also will be responsible for developing referees to work Horizon League matches, as well as providing a process for evaluating officials' performance.

Siomos spent 20 years (1982-2002) as a collegiate official, calling matches at the NCAA Division I, II and III levels. His résumé features seven appearances at NCAA Final Four events, including the Division I men's semifinals in 1989 and the women's Division I semifinals in 1995 and 1996. He has been a member of the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (NISOA) since 1982.

He also has officiated the championship series of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) and the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) and currently serves as an assessor for Major League Soccer (MLS) as well as an assignor for leagues in the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF).

"I am delighted to have Steve join the Horizon League as our Coordinator of Soccer Officials," LeCrone said. "Steve has established a tremendous reputation and extensive contacts throughout the soccer community. We are excited to have him as a part of the Horizon League and know he will do a tremendous job."

Prior to his tenure as a collegiate official, Siomos was active with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) beginning in 1982, officiating the state's boys' championship game in 1987, the boys' semifinals in 1986 and 1988, and the girls' semifinals in 1988 and 1989.

The Naperville, Ill., native is the founder and president of the Chicago Soccer Referee Club, which provides education and assistance in monitoring and enhancing the quality of officials in the Chicago area.

Siomos also has worked as an assignor for several Chicago-area leagues and previously was the Director of Game Officials for the NPSL. He is certified as an instructor, assessor and assignor by the United States Soccer Federation.

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