Congratulations to Louis Labbadia (CT) and Manuel Ortiz, Jr. (TX) who were recently elected to the NISOA Hall of Fame. Each year, NISOA Hall of Fame members select one referee and one administrator for induction into the Hall of Fame each year. This year, Lou Labbadia will be inducted into the NISOA Hall of Fame in the Referee category and Manuel Ortiz, Jr. will be inducted in the Administrator category.

Lou Labbadia (CT)

Lou Labbadia is a long time NISOA National Referee having officiated in six NCAA Men’s Division I Final Four matches, including the 1998 National Championship game as referee. He has also officiated in nine Men’s Division II and two Men’s Division III Final Four matches. Lou was also selected as the referee for a NAIA Men’s national championship match.

Manuel Ortiz, Jr. (TX)

Manuel Ortiz, Jr. joins his father, Manuel Sr. who was inducted in 2011, as the only father-son members of the NISOA Hall of Fame. Manny is also an accomplished referee having been selected for three NCAA Final Four events as well as being a long time NISOA National Referee. Manny is currently the Past President of NISOA, NISOA Director of Assignment and conference supervisor of officials for several major Division I soccer conferences including the SEC and Big 12.

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Lou and Manny will be held at the NISOA National Convention awards dinner on July 19, 2014 in Buffalo, New York.