Colorado SRA Neal Fausset Retires

After seven years, Neal Fausset has stepped down as the Colorado State Referee Administrator.

During his stewardship, the program has grown and prospered as it weathered not only the COVID pandemic but survived a difficult transition from the previous administration into becoming a vital part of the unified Colorado Soccer Association along with the youth and adult programs.

In his resignation letter to Jeff Ruebel, CSA board president, and Nate Shotts, CSA CEO, Fausset, wrote, “I sincerely want to thank both of you, and the board, for giving me the opportunity to be of service to Colorado’s soccer referees for the past seven years. I am lucky to have been given an opportunity that most people dream about.”

“CSA would like to thank Neal, and his family, for his service and all the time that he has given to the referee community in Colorado,” said Nate. “Neal became SRA at a very tumultuous time. His leadership assisted us in rebuilding our referee base and trust.  Thanks certainly is not enough but we wish Neal all the best in his next endeavors.”

During his tenure as SRA, Neal helped guide the state referee leadership team, in conjunction with CSA Director of Referees, Esse Baharmast, through a changing landscape for soccer officials not only in Colorado but throughout the country. Together with the rest of the SRC, they worked tirelessly to rebound the program’s numbers post-pandemic, increase pay and opportunities, and improve relationships on the field for referees, players, and coaches.  

“I especially want to thank Esse Baharmast for the mentoring, advice and support he has given me during my tenure. The things I have learned from him about soccer officiating, in particular, and life in general would fill volumes.”

Just because Neal is resigning from a day-to-day leadership role with Colorado Referees, Neal ensured us that he will still be an active part of the Colorado Referee family as he continues to work on the fields as a referee and Referee Coach when he is in Colorado but that enjoying watching his grandchildren and his second home in Florida with his wife, Marilyn are moving up his priority list. 

“Neal has my utmost respect and gratitude for years of selfless service to the game and leading our referees,” said Esse. “His leadership and mentoring have helped so many referees continue in their journey to become better referees and better citizens. We are blessed to have him as a friend and appreciate his wonderful involvement in helping guide our future and being an integral part of our soccer family.”

Plans are being made to honor Neal with a celebration of his service later this year and will be shared with the referee community as soon as they are complete.