Robert E. Sumpter

Eddie Pearson Award - 1989

Bob Sumpter has refereed from high school soccer games to collegiate matches to North American Soccer League Championship games (1972 & 1974). Bob Sumpter started officiating in 1968 and referee until 1985 with NISOA. He has been a NISOA Referee Assessor for 28 years. From 1974-1981 and then again from 1989-1996 Bob Sumpter was a NISOA Director of Instruction. Sumpter also held the position of NISOA National Rules Interpreter from 1979 to until 1997. Also in this same time period, Bob was the Advisor and NISOA Representative to both the Men's and Women's Soccer Rules Committee and the NFHS Soccer Rules Committee. In 1985 Bob became a NISOA National Referee Emeritus. From 1989 until 1994 Bob Sumpter was Director of the NISOA National Referee Program. In 1993, Bob Sumpter was recognized for all of his accomplishments during his time with NISOA by being inducted into the NISOA Hall of Fame. In 1976 he was named the North American Soccer League Referee Instructor and received the North American Soccer League Service Award in 1980.  From 1980 to 1983, he was named the NASL Referee Assesor. He has been a USSF National Referee since 1977.  From 1983 to 1987 he was named the Director of Referee Instruction. Sumpter completed his CONCACAF Referee Instructor Training in 1974 and completed his FIFA Referee Instructor Training in 1985. In 1981 he served as the Executive Director for the Georgia State Soccer Association, Inc. and held that position until 1990.