Jennifer Dunn – Greater Iowa ISOA
On behalf of the selection committee, we are proud to announce Jennifer Dunn from Greater Iowa ISOA as the week 10 winner of the 2019 Terry Vaughn NISOA Referee of the Week presented by Official Sports.
Jen resides in Central City, Iowa. She was nominated by Greater Iowa Chapter President, Phil Watson for her outstanding performances on the field and devotion to representing the best interests of referees through her administrative work in Iowa. Jen’s season highlights include refereeing the instate rivalry between the University of Northern Iowa and Drake University and University of Nebraska Omaha v Grand Canyon of Arizona.
In Phil’s words; “Jen is a leader, setting an excellent example by breaking barriers for female referees.” Jen was the first female to referee the Iowa Boys High School State Final in all three divisions. She participates in the administration of the NISOA chapter and mentors all of us, but especially the female referees. She joined NISOA in 2006 and works games at the D1, D2, D3, NAIA and NJCAA levels. Currently, Jen is assigned matches in the following conferences: Big 10, Big 12, Missouri Valley, American Rivers, Iowa Community College, Heartland and Great Lakes. She is registered as a “Regional Referee” under the current US Soccer Referee Grading System.
Jen serves as the High School Liaison Officer for the Iowa Referee Committee and coordinates the training and communications for Iowa’s High School referees. After playing competitive soccer at club level for Heartland FC, Jen played basketball at St Ambrose College.
Off the field, Jen is an independent insurance agent, a farm wife with two adorable daughters and is Vice President of the Linn County Fair, where she is responsible for fundraising, coordinating 500 volunteers and event management.
Jen has shared the field officiating many times with Terry Vaughn and is especially deserving of this award.
Congratulations Jen!
What a wonderful selection for this award! As a retired NISOA and US Soccer referee, I am very happy to see that women are finally being recognized for their excellent refereeing and administrative work in soccer. Jen, keep up the great work! You are a shining example of what women are doing every day! I applaud you!