At the 2023 SOASA Annual General Meeting (AGM), the following were elected as new officers to two-year terms:

Norb Mott - Vice President (Dayton)
Kevin Atherton - Vice President (Southeast Ohio)
Steven Cox - Vice President (Columbus); Registrar
Patrick Knott - Treasurer

We are pleased to have them join SOASA's current slate of officers:

Jeff Berman - President
Ken Baldeosingh - Vice President
Walt Dewar - Vice President (Cincinnati)
Nina Vasiliu - Secretary

At the 2023 SOASA Annual General Meeting (AGM), Don Frye, Gary Swords and Bob Wright were presented with Distinguished Service Awards for their long-term service and dedication to SOASA.

Don Frye served as President of SOASA for the past three years after having served as a Vice President among other roles for several years prior.  Don's willingness to assume the position of President after the passing of Ken Conselyea was a difficult situation that was made even more difficult by the pandemic.  Don's steady leadership under unenviable circumstances was integral in providing continuity for SOASA.

Gary Swords served as Treasurer for SOASA for nearly thirty years and helped guide the organization through steady growth during that time.   Gary was also very instrumental in assisting with the transitions of SOAS President from Ken Conselyea to Don Frye to Jeff Berman; as well as the transition of his successor as Treasurer.

Bob Wright was SOASA Registrar for more than 20 years.  Bob oversaw the progression from handwritten rostering to online registrations and the implementation of a customized registration system when the 'big box' platforms didn't fit to our needs.  Bob was also integral in helping with the transition to a new Registrar this year.

SOASA thanks Don, Gary and Bob for their immense contributions and tireless dedication to SOASA and the soccer community as a whole!

As a tornado and monsoon-like rain barreled through Aurora, Illinois on Saturday July 23, SOASA’s participants Patriots United (Dayton) and Dragons FC (Dayton) waited out the storm (along with 22 other Midwest teams) that refused to relent.  At the end of the first day of scheduled competition, no matches were completed due to the fields being underwater and the entire Region II Tournament of Champions had to be canceled.  It was a shame, but sometimes weather prevails.  

Not only was SOASA represented by Patriots United and Dragons FC, several referees and administrators made the trip to suburban Chicago for the Tournament of Champions.  SOASA representatives present during the weekend were (l to r): Ken Baldeosingh - SRA, Ohio South State Referee Committee; Tre Gaither - Referee; Eric Lott - Referee; Audra Fullen - Referee; Corey Artim - Referee; Maggie Short - Referee Mentor; Ross Snodgrass - Referee; Jeff Berman - President, SOASA.  Despite the cancelation of the matches, these referees received valuable instruction and mentoring by experienced officials from all over Region II.

For more information about the USASA Region II Tournament of Champions, click here: www.usadultsoccer.com/toc

In the 2022 Ken Conselyea SOASA Cup, held on Sunday June 26, 2022 at the Ankeney Soccer Complex in Beavercreek, Ohio, Patriots United of Dayton outlasted Capitals FC from Columbus to take the championship and earn the privilege of representing SOASA at the USASA Region II Tournament of Champions in Aurora, Illinois over the weekend of July 23-24, 2022.  Congratulations to Patriots United!!  Dragons FC and Dayton Rogues I, both from Dayton, also competed well in the round robin SOASA Cup, which is the annual tournament to determine the champion of SOASA affiliated leagues.

For full results and final tables, click here:

At the 2022 SOASA Annual Meeting on February 27, Jeff Berman was elected President, succeeding Don Fry who decided to step down after three years in the position after long-time President Ken Conselyea’s death in 2019.  Jeff joined SOASA in 1993 and served as a member of the General Council after being elected President of the Columbus Premier Soccer League.  He also served as a Vice President of SOASA for the past five years.

“I’m honored to be elected President of SOASA,” Jeff said, “and I hope to be able to carry on the efforts of Don Frye, who kept this ship sailing during some difficult times, and honor the strong foundation and wonderful legacy that Ken Conselyea left for us all.  I look forward to working to strengthen our membership and continuing the strong competition that SOASA leagues and teams are known for.”