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Somerset, NJ -- The Northeast Conference (NEC) has named Dr. Joseph A. Machnik as Coordinator of Women’s Soccer Officials, it was announced today by NEC Commissioner Noreen Morris.
Machnik comes highly regarded having spent 15 years with Major League Soccer (MLS), rising to the position of Assistant to the Commissioner for On Field Competition while also serving as Director of the Department of Officiating Services. In addition, Machnik has served as Match Commissioner for both FIFA and CONCACAF, overseeing both World Cup Qualification and CONCACAF Champions League matches since 2003.
“We are thrilled to welcome Joe to the NEC women’s soccer family,” said Morris. “His breadth and wealth of soccer experience at the collegiate and professional levels is truly impressive. Joe’s passion for the game and his commitment to the development of officials will greatly benefit our women’s soccer programs.”
Machnik has extensive collegiate coaching experience on both the women’s and men’s side. From 1994-99, he served as women’s head coach at the University of New Haven. Machnik also held positions as men’s head coach at New Haven (1969-82) and LIU Brooklyn (1966-69). His teams appeared in two NCAA Division I and two NCAA Division II Championship finals. Machnik also served as an assistant coach for the US National Team at the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
A former collegiate soccer All- American, Machnik’s officiating resume includes a stint as Referee in Chief of the original Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) and a collegiate career highlighted by his assignment as referee of the 1988 NCAA National Championship game. Machnik has been elected as a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame (NISOA Inductee, 2003), and the New England and Connecticut Soccer Halls of Fame to name a few. He has also appeared as a clinician at NSCAA annual conventions, as well as USSF coaching schools and symposiums.
Most recently, Machnik has served as a referee/coach for the United States Soccer Federation working with young officials at US Development Academy Showcase events and the US Armed Forces Tournament.
About The Northeast Conference
Now in its 31st year, the Northeast Conference is an NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association consisting of 12 institutions of higher learning located throughout six states. Media coverage of the NEC extends to four of the largest markets in the United States - New York (#1), Pittsburgh (#23), Baltimore (#27), and Hartford/New Haven (#30). Founded in 1981 as the basketball-only ECAC Metro Conference, the NEC has grown to sponsor 23 championship sports for men and women and now enjoys automatic or play-in access to 14 different NCAA Championships. NEC member institutions include Central Connecticut State, Fairleigh Dickinson, LIU Brooklyn, Monmouth, Mount St. Mary’s, Quinnipiac, Robert Morris, Sacred Heart, St. Francis (NY), Saint Francis (PA) and Wagner. Bryant will become the NEC’s 12th member upon completion of the NCAA Division I reclassification process in 2012. For more information on the NEC, visit www.northeastconference.org.