The new NISOA/ECSR partnership is an exciting new opportunity for all NISOA members. We will update this page frequently as new initiatives are developed.

Q: If I am a NISOA member, does this mean I have to be an ECSR member as well?
A: We recommend you become an ECSR member so you can be eligible for their conference assignments.

Q: Must I need to be an ECSR member in order to attend a NISOA/ECSR Joint Clinic?
A: No, just by being a NISOA member you are able to receive the education by attending a NISOA/ECSR Joint Clinic.

Q: Is there a cost for attending the NISOA/ECSR Joint Clinics?
A: There is no cost associated with attending a NISOA/ECSR Joint Clinic unless you are a NISOA National Referee, in which a registration fee is required, just as in years past.

Q: If I am a NISOA National Referee, do I need to attend a NISOA/ECSR Joint Clinic?
A: By attending a NISOA/ECSR Joint Clinic, this satisfies your clinic component for your re-certification.

Q: Must I attend both a NISOA National Referee Clinic and a NISOA/ECSR Joint Clinic?
A: You are obligated to attend one or the other in order to satisfy your clinic component for your re-certification if you are currently a NISOA National Referee. However, there is no restriction preventing attendance at both clinics, which case you would only pay one registration fee if you are a NISOA National Referee.

Q: What badge do I wear if I am assigned to an ECSR-assigned game?
A: You will wear the ECSR badge for ECSR-assigned games.

Q: What insurance do I use if I am a NISOA member working on an ECSR-assigned game?
A: The insurance you have as a member of NISOA will cover you in all collegiate soccer matches.

Q: What are the benefits of this agreement for an existing NISOA member?
A: NISOA members will have access to a more extensive catalog of training material both at joint clinics and on-line.  This relationship also provides more resources to be focused on referee training and new training technologies.  Both NISOA and ECSR are very excited about the potential to develop new capabilities to better educate and prepare our referees for the matches they are assigned and strive to officiate.

Q: Is there a reduced NISOA membership fee if I am also an ECSR member?
A: NISOA will waive the new member administration fee for existing ECSR members registering with NISOA for the first time.

Q: What uniform will I wear when working ECSR-assigned matches?
A: The most recent version of the NISOA uniform kit will be the standard uniform kit for all ECSR-assigned matches.

Q: If I am an ECSR member, will I have a chance to purchase the new NISOA uniform kit at a discount?
A: Yes, Official Sports International has agreed to offer the special Uniform pricing that they offered during their Holiday Sale to the new ECSR referees who will now be asked to wear the new NISOA Shirt.  Existing NISOA members were given two previous opportunities to purchase uniforms at special introductory / Holiday Sale pricing, and therefore are not eligible for this promotion.

Q: Why do we have to pay both our Local Chapter and NISOA dues when I can get more games from ECSR and pay less dues?
A: There are many aspects to refereeing intercollegiate soccer.  Referee at the highest level must be well versed in the NCAA rules, conference expectations and fully engaged in the local soccer environment, developing and mentoring the next generation of high-quality intercollegiate officials.  With the current landscape of collegiate soccer, these multiple responsibilities are best covered by a combination of efforts.  NISOA, as the only nationally focused collegiate soccer refereeing organization, provides NCAA rules training to ensure national constancy in the interpretation and application of the NCAA rules.  NISOA’s broad base also provides opportunities for national exposure of our officials to the DI assignors who are servicing the highest-level matches.  The local chapter is the vehicle for disseminating that information to our 5,000+ members as well as the environment for mentoring and promoting upcoming collegiate officials.  The local chapter promotes the informal interactions that help less experienced referees benefit from the wisdom and practical knowledge of the veterans.  ECSR also develops training material, however, its focus is on the critical issues identified by the conferences it services – primarily, but not exclusively, a DI focus.  The combination of national consistency (NISOA),conference expectations and issues (ECSR) and local mentorship, training and camaraderie (local chapters) leads to the most well-prepared intercollegiate soccer officials.  Quality soccer officiating is both getting the assignments and being prepared to excel at them once assigned.

Q: What benefit is the NISOA organization and the individual referee getting from this agreement?
A: NISOA members will have access to a more extensive catalog of training material both at joint clinics and on-line.  This relationship also provides more resources to be focused on referee training and new training technologies.  Both NISOA and ECSR are very excited about the potential to develop new capabilities to better educate and prepare our referees for the matches they are assigned and strive to officiate.