History of Terry Thompson Scholarship and the Pete Raffa Memorial Tournament
Pietro “Pete” Raffa was born May 25, 1957 in Cleveland, Ohio; the third child of five Italian immigrants. Shortly after his birth, he and his family moved to Lakewood, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. He graduated from High School in June of 1975. That fall, Pete attended Baldwin Wallace College, a private division III school located in Berea, Ohio, where he played soccer. He graduated May of 1979 with a Bachelor of Science – Accounting & Finance degree. In December of that same year, Pete began his military career by attending the Air Force’s Officer Training School (OTS) in San Antonio, Texas and entered pilot training. In the fall of 1985, Pete left the Air Force and joined the 180th Fighter Wing in the Ohio Air National Guard in Toledo, Ohio where he flew the A-7 and the F-16.
Shortly after moving to Toledo, Pete began coaching soccer. At first, he coached for local travel/club teams and then high school. In 1989, Pete was appointed the Junior Varsity soccer coach at Perrysburg High School and in 1991, was named head coach of the Varsity soccer team. During his time as head coach, he enjoyed many successful seasons at the helm including a 2nd place finish in the 2001 State Championship, which they lost in a shoot-out.
In his 10 years as head coach, Pete built a strong and well recognized soccer program in the State of Ohio, while having a significant impact on the lives of his young adult players. Pete Raffa was not only an advocate and teacher of the game of soccer, but a friend and mentor to all his players. Pete Raffa not only left a lasting impression with everyone he came in contact with but had the compassion and heart to help those in need.
In 2002, The Pete Raffa Memorial Soccer Tournament was organized by Mike Timbrook and started as way to fund a scholarship at PHS. It is one of the four largest scholarships at PHS. Mike was close to Pete Raffa, both professionally at the 180th Fighter Wing and as his assistant soccer coach at Perrysburg High School.
In conjunction with the late Terry Thompson, a well-respected soccer official throughout the state of Ohio, the Pete Raffa Memorial Soccer Tournament identified a need for referees in Northwest Ohio. Terry was widely known in the Northwest Ohio communities for his dedication and work with youth. His fun-loving and positive attitude were exemplified as he led youth in his local church during Sunday school and confirmation classes for several years. He brought his encouraging approach to everything he did, especially as he developed both adult and youth referees in Northwest Ohio. After the passing of Terry Thompson, a scholarship to educate new soccer officials was created in his memory. The scholarship was designed to encourage and help fund young referees to get education and help purchase uniforms. This scholarship enables Terry’s work to impact the development of our youth.
The tournament donates $1,000 each year to the Terry Thompson Memorial Scholarship administered by the Northwest Ohio Soccer Officials Association to assist in increasing the ranks of USSF and OSHAA soccer officials. The continued support from both these scholarships promote growth in the soccer community in Northwest Ohio for players, coaches, and referees.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
The Terry Thompson Memorial Scholarship for Soccer Official Development is open to any new Official age 15 or older or current NWOSOA Member who is a certified United States Soccer Federation (USSF) or Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Official.
This Scholarship may be awarded to current USSF Officials who desire to become an OSHAA Certified Official or current OSHAA Officials who desire to become a USSF Certified Official. The Scholarship will not be awarded for USSF or OSHAA certification upgrades.
This Scholarship will be reimbursement for initial certification training for the OSHAA or USSF. Reimbursement will cover the expense of your training course and your first year certification fee.
– Fifteen Scholarships will be awarded annually to qualified recipients.
Requirements
- Minimum Age 15 for USSF, OSHAA must have completed high school or GED and be at least 17 years of age.
- Any new Official who completes a minimum of 12 USSF game assignments in Northwest Ohio through a certified Assignor shall be reimbursed for the expense of the certification class upon completion of those game assignments.
- Any new Official who completes a minimum of 6 OSHAA game assignments in Northwest Ohio through a certified OSHAA Assignor shall be reimbursed for the expense of the certification class upon completion of those game assignments.
- Any current USSF Official who completes OHSAA Training and completes a minimum of 6 game assignments through a certified OSHAA Assignor shall be reimbursed for the expense of the certification class upon completion of those game assignments.
- Any current OSHAA Official who completes USSF Training and completes a minimum of 12 game assignments through a certified USSF Assignor shall be reimbursed for the expense of the certification class upon completion of those game assignments.
- Any current Official must be a NWOSOA member in good standing.
- The NWOSOA strives to meet a level of professionalism. With that, it is required that any applicant for the scholarship shall be required to have the minimum OHSAA/USSF Uniforms, whistle, watch that counts down, flags, uniform socks & black shoes. Minimum of 2 colors of shirts are needed. Please review www.ohsaa.org or www.ussoccer.com/referees for additional information.
– All applicants will receive notice of the final disposition of their applications as soon as practical after the selection process has been completed.
– Terry Thompson Memorial Scholarship for Soccer Official Development Scholarship may only be won once to any one individual.
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APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
- A complete Application Form (see attached) and required information.
- Attach a Photo – Head view from shoulder up
- A typed essay in 500 words or less on the following topic:
How would being a soccer Official benefit you personally, the community in which you live, and youth soccer players?
Submit all documents to:
The Terry Thompson Memorial Scholarship for Soccer Official Development @