It is a tremendous pleasure for me to write about Randy Vogt, who as a soccer referee has done just about everything possible to be sure the game is officiated at the highest level in a most professional manner, which certainly describes Randy. Recently, he officiated his 8,000th game, which is very significant since Randy referees at all levels; youth soccer, club and varsity, collegiate, and professional. He also volunteers his time with "Special Children's Soccer", which holds a special place in his heart.

Born in Queens, New York, his early exposure to soccer was in the streets where he played with Colombian friends, as there were no formal leagues for youth players at that time. He moved to Syosset, Long Island at age 12 and joined the Syosset PAL Soccer program. Shortly after that, in 1978, Randy began playing U16 with the Syosset Soccer Club. His first coaches were Gordon Barr and Andy Economouopolos. His most exciting moment as a youth player was scoring a goal in junior high school and receiving an MVP Award at Syosset High School as a varsity player. After high school, Randy attended Parsons School of Design in New York City. Unfortunately, they did not have a soccer team, so he turned his efforts towards becoming an official.

Randy kicked off his refereeing career at age 16 when was asked to officiate as summer league program, and progressed to the Long Island Junior Soccer League when he was a freshman in college at age 18, in 1980.

Nanci Apostolides, Long Island Soccer Referee Association long-time administrator spoke to me about Randy and said, "Randy makes himself available and placed his role as a Soccer referee first, is willing to travel anywhere and work any age group, always has a smile on his face. You can tell he loves the game." On a personal note, she said, "I do think of him as a friend, he always remembers my birthday, March 4th and I perceive Randy as an honest, caring and genuine person."

Randy's most memorable experience was then he refereed in Russia during the August 1991 coup. He traveled as a guest referee with the Eastern New York ODP. Randy has also officiated in Torino, Italy at the Stadio Olimpico, the same location that hosted the Winter Olympics. He also went on to the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida, which was a venue for the 1994 World Cup.

A published author, Randy wrote Preventive Officiating, a guide for referees. He was inspired to write after remembering how Fair or Foul?, a book written by Larry Harris and Paul Harris, helped Randy as a young ref. Randy said his book sales are brisk and of course this makes him happy with over 1,000 copies sold.

Peter Collins, former President of the LIJSL spoke volumes about Randy and said he is the epitome of the expression "for the good of the game," which is sometimes used in the soccer world. Collins said that Randy was always available to participate with Special Children's Soccer and the Exceptional Senior Games on a volunteer basis. Peter also mentioned that Randy is requested by many college coaches to do their games as they know he brings with him consistent and fair officiating. Randy also is a history buff, and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to professional soccer, as well as soccer around the state and region. Mrs. Annie Collins said in an interview, "Randy is very honest and trustworthy, a credit to his family and the soccer community."

Randy, who has had a long career in advertising, has done PR for the LIJSL and is now Director of Public Relations for the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association, and also writes for Soccer America. In addition to being a member of LISRA, he is Ethics Chairperson and VP for the New York Metro Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association, and a member of the Nassau County Boys Soccer Officials Association.

Although he has never officiated soccer at the Olympics, he did dream about this and of course wished he could. But in a way his dream did become a reality when he got to carry the Olympic Torch enroute to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.

I asked Randy to tell me the difference between a varsity or youth game, and that of a college game, and he said, "Players are more developed physically and their skill is at a higher level, the game moves much more quickly."

It is an honor for me to add Randy Vogt to my Soccer Wall of Fame.