Edward Bellion

Eddie Pearson Award - 2001

As a referee, Ed rose through the ranks of the HRSL to become a powerful and effective referee. He took no nonsense on the field, and yet gained The respect of the players. His work in the League culminated in his being chosen for the Tulsa-Toronto championship game, which he controlled from The first minute, issuing a caution that made a strong statement as to how the game was going to be conducted. As an example of strong officiating it stilt stands as one of The best HRSL finals. He took that stage onto the FIFA list and officiated at The World Youth Championships, the World University Games and the 1984 Olympics, as welt as doing preliminary matches in the World Cup.

In addition, Ed became an instructor in North Texas, where he had been a welt-known senior player and college coach His teaching showed a deep knowledge of The game from alt points of view, and he tried of emphasize to new officials that an understanding of the game and the players was essential for effective refereeing. He carried that message info the national program and became a National Instructor, exhorting the future National and International referees to adopt a no-nonsense state on the field. The game was changing, and Ed taught That we must adapt to The changes. He produced Teaching modules with that message. His analyst of "advantage" is stilt as good today as when it was written, for it incorporated his knowledge of research info soccer, showing how the changing pace of a game would affect the referee's use of the advantage clause.

As an example for at referees, as an instructor who taught alt over this country and carried a message of strong, professional officiating, as a contributor of imaginative instructional materials, Edward is well deserving of recognition of the Pearson committee.