Compiled by Bob Smith with much help from Bob McIntyre, Rip Carleton, Ted Smith, and Bill McLean.
Soccer around 1946… an era when:
(1) One man worked a high school varsity game.
(2) Fees were $5.00 for high school varsity; maybe $7.50 or $10 for prep schools.
(3) When high schools or prep schools needed an official, thecoach had to contact a semi-pro or ex- college player to work the game.
(4) There were no girls’ teams at any level.
As soccer at all levels began to expand after World War II, something was needed to standardize officiating and to encourage more people to take up whistle-blowing duties.
In the fall of 1946, U-Mass Soccer Coach Larry Briggs, Tech High School Soccer Coach John Kalloch, plus the two top officials of that period, Jim Downie and Bob McIntyre, began to meet occasionally at each others homes. By 1947, a formal organization was set up with these four gentlemen as charter members.
By the 1948 season, Ted Smith, Rip Carleton, Bill McLean, Ken Chapin, Bert Watling, Bart Boyden, Art Williams, and a few others joined this new organization, the PVSOA. Soccer columnist Jim Mackie was instrumental in publicizing the group, and in 1950 he was selected as the winner of the Larry Briggs Award.
When the Western Mass. High School tournament was started in 1946, there was no money for referees. Pioneer Valley officials donated their services for the tournament games and continued this policy until the late fifties when money for officials became available.
Downie and McIntyre worked the first tournament final game between Tech and Hopkins Academy.
It is difficult to believe that some of the early banquets were held in a booth at the old Howard Johnson restaurant in West Springfield.
As the years passed, more schools asked Larry Briggs to assign officials, and of course he would call on the PVSOA members. With Boyden and Williams on board, Deerfield Academy hosted some meetings and at least two of the annual banquets. Other meetings were held at Holyoke YMCA, Holyoke Trade School, and Tech High School. Pre-season clinics were held at Suffield or Williston Academy.
Slowly the organization grew with Ken Chapin giving the written test in the old Springfield College library. Bruno Rumpal joined in ’49, John Kurty and Dave Grieve in ‘52, Bob Smith in ‘54, Lew Howarth in ‘55, Stan Bernatowicz and Carl Erickson in ‘56, and Ben Santos in ‘59. Many others were involved in those early days, but in his quiet way, Larry Briggs was the key person who held things together. Until his death, Larry selected the winner and personally purchased the trophy for the prestigious Larry Briggs Award. The game of soccer grew and expanded tremendously. The boys program split into two divisions in 1970 and into three divisions in 1986. Programs went from fielding just a varsity team to having junior varsity and even freshman teams. The girls broke ground in 1977 with a single division. As time quickly passed and the girls teams grew, they split into two divisions in 1983, and into the current three divisions in 1996. The girls programs grew quickly and also expanded, offering both junior varsity teams and in some cases, freshmen teams.
Along with the game of soccer, the officiating field grew also. Over the years we had many, many great officials who were locally and nationally recognized. There are terms used like “cut the corner” and “lead the play” that evolved from our area.
The PVSOA has had very dedicated people involved in the administration of and as members, making sure the game be administered and played fairly and by the rules. We have also recognized several people that have been involved in the game by giving awards out in honor of these people. The Bruno Rumpal Sportsmanship award for a boys team began in 1971. Then, in 1979, the Bob McIntyre Sportsmanship award began for the girls team. Most valuable player awards were given in each division for the MVP of the tournament. They began with the George E. Russell Award (Boys Division 1) in 1965; John Kalloch Award (Girls Division 1) in 1977; Henry O. Holley Award (Boys Division 2) in 1972; Robert C. Smith (Girls Division 2) in 1983; Dave Grieve Award (Boys Division 3) in 1986; and Stan Bernatowicz Award (Girls Division 3) in 1996. Also, the Jimmie Downie Award for the officials in 1976. Just take a few minutes and look at the past results of tournament finals and look at the past award winners and see some great names in the local game of soccer.
The game continues to grow and change. They now play games on different surfaces from natural grass to artificial turf; day games to night games; outdoor games to indoor games. They go from a one person system to a two person system to a three person system in officiating. As the game changes, so will the way in which it is officiated and spectated. Change is good as long as it is positive and is fun for all who are involved. After all, soccer is a game!
As the game continues to grow, so does the association. We have changed the criteria for our MVP awards. Players in each division, both boys and girls, will be recognized for their season accomplishments as well as any tournament accomplishments. We also recognize that in this day and age of sports, sportsmanship is very important to those who have a great deal to do with the game. We have expanded our sportsmanship awards from two (one in boys and one in girls) to six total. Each division, both boys and girls will have a sportsmanship award winner selected. We honor these people by naming the newest sportsmanship awards after them: the John Kurty Sportsmanship Award for Division 3 girls; the Carl Erickson Sportsmanship Award for Division 3 boys; the Benny Santos Sportsmanship Award for Division 2 girls; and the Bill Kolodziey Sportsmanship Award for Division 2 boys.
We also wish to recognize a member each year, who has contributed to the association. The Paul Bogan Service Award is named after a long time member who has contributed so much to our association.
The PVSOA has been around a long time and we have worked very hard to be the best we can be. Our members are all dedicated people who work to make sure the game of soccer is played in a safe, fair and sportsmanlike manner.