What It Takes

This course is built specifically for sports officials who want to elevate their performance by strengthening their mental resilience, communication skills, and ability to navigate pressure-filled situations. By focusing on these essential soft skills, we increase the likelihood that officials will stay in the profession, enjoy their role more, and have a greater chance of advancement.

Veteran soccer official Karen Swanner has nearly 40 years of officiating experience at all levels. Beginning as an ice hockey referee, Swanner has also officiated softball, baseball and basketball, but made a career as a soccer official. A former USSF National and 18-year NCAA National Referee, she has officiated in eight NCAA Division I Championships, and was named to finals in Division II, NAIA and Junior College. A pioneer for women in the officiating world, she was one of the first females to referee men’s professional indoor soccer in the 1990’s and continued in the indoor game through 2018. Swanner has also officiated men’s and women’s professional outdoor soccer and international friendlies including France and Mexico.

She has Master’s Degrees in Sports Psychology & Exercise Science; Journalism and Marketing. A mentor, assessor, assignor, instructor, lecturer and researcher, she has also taught courses in communication, self-confidence, stress management and non-verbal communication, and is a member of the Association of Applied Sports Psychologists.