Olathe, KS (April 15, 2022) – With the creation of the Director of Referee Development within Kansas Youth Soccer, we look forward to our expanded and improved ability to service Referees in cooperation with the existing Referee programs statewide and making referees more integrated into the 'Soccer Community'.  As we understand, the importance referees' have on our ability to provide opportunities for youth players to play games at all levels."

Kansas Youth Soccer is pleased to announce the hiring of Gordie Wetmore III as our Director of Referee Development. 

“In Gordie, we have found someone that is passionate about refereeing, has a heart of a teacher and the understanding of an administrator who wants to create an atmosphere of comradery and support for referees,” said Joe Burger, Executive Director of Kansas Youth Soccer.

This position will also work with the State Referee Committee (SRC) and act as a liaison between Kansas Youth Soccer, the local leagues throughout Kansas, and the SRC.  

Gordie joins Kansas Youth Soccer from his most recent position as Chaplain and Pastor in addition to holding various leadership roles amongst youth, high school, and college soccer referee communities within the state of Kansas. 

“My household growing up as a kid was immersed in soccer for as long as I can remember due to my father being a high school soccer coach.  I played through high school and then made the switch to the officiating side of the game where my passion for soccer refereeing began and hasn’t stopped,” said Gordie.

His passion for soccer refereeing brings over 14 years of officiating experience in soccer at levels ranging from multiple State Cup tournaments, youth regional tournaments, KSHSAA State Championships, Junior College, NAIA, and NCAA Division 2 & 3 levels of soccer.  During those years it has led Gordie to become more involved as a leader and administrator in those levels of soccer as well. 

On the US Soccer side, he serves as an Instructor for new soccer referees taking the Entry Level Clinics in Kansas.  One the high school soccer side he works along side with “Call the Game” an assigning group for high school soccer games in the Kansas City area.  In addition, he serves on the executive board as Secretary of the Kansas Sports Officials Association (KSOA), a newly created organization for all high school officials within the state of Kansas. He serves as KSOA Soccer Committee Chair where the committee focuses on leading efforts in referee recruiting, training, and evaluating soccer referees for high school games. When it comes to collegiate soccer Mr. Wetmore currently serves as President of Kansas City Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (KCISOA), the governing body directly overseeing the nearly 100 college soccer officials in the Kansas City metro area. 

Gordie’s communication skills and ability to connect with people as a Pastor & Chaplain along with his experience as a referee at multiple levels of soccer will be a perfect addition as he connects with youth referees from across the state of Kansas assisting them in their development as an official.

Gordie in this new position will service referees and assigners daily giving them the ability to communicate with someone from 9:00am – 3:00pm during the work week about creating referee certification classes, referee identification for proper assignment to games, growth & development in dealing with game situations and offer in general additional support for referees, and their parents.  He will also be providing resources and understanding of the referee pathway, mentoring opportunities to improve, educational opportunities, and retention of referees.  

Gordie is a native of Olathe, Kansas and is a graduate of MidAmerica Nazarene University (2013) with a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry and an Olathe South High School alumni. 

Another project that Gordie has started recently is being a co-founder of a podcast for soccer referees called “Check Complete”.  A soccer referee educational opportunity designed to connect and develop soccer officials of all ages and skill levels both on and off the field. 

Kansas Youth Soccer is excited to have Gordie on our office staff. Please join us in congratulating and welcoming him!  He can be reached at the following: