Hall of Fame

Richard (Dick) Giebner was the first inductee to the Arizona State Soccer Association Hall of Fame. He was inducted at the ASSA 40th Anniversary dinner, surrounded by his soccer friends, and family members. Richard Giebner has since passed away, but his legend lives on in the accomplishments we all continue to benefit from today. He dedicated more than 80 years to the game of soccer. We have included a summary of some of his accomplishments.

Mr. Giebner played youth soccer in his native city of Saxony, Germany. He continued to play for the Chicago Sport Club in 1930 - after immigrating to Chicago - and was a Goalkeeper for FC Hansa - 1930 to 1936. Facial stitches as well as a broken foot during the 1936 season prompted the change from player to referee. The late 30’s had Richard refereeing major national cup games and in 1939 he was the referee for the Inter-city rivalry between St. Louis and Chicago. In 1948 Richard became Secretary of the National Soccer League in Chicago and served for six years. Chairman of Chicago Referee Unit, Richard was elected to the F.I.F.A. as one of the seven referees representing the United States in 1961. Before moving to Tucson, Arizona in 1977, he served as Secretary of Illinois State Soccer Association from 1971 through 1973. Although Richard retired from his Referee career at age of 85, he has served as a National Referee Assessor since 1988. Through years of dedication and organization, Mr. Giebner founded the Arizona Referee Association and was later inducted into the Arizona Youth Soccer Association Hall of Fame. In 2007, Richard had a Soccer Complex dedicated to and named after him in Tucson, Arizona, making soccer a viable, growing and healthy sport for the community

· Played youth soccer in Germany.

· 1930 - played for Chicago Sport Club

· Goalkeeper for FC Hansa

· 1937 - began officiating

· 1939 - chosen to officiate many major National Cup games (Open and Amateur)

· Charter member of N.I.S.O.A.

· 1948 - 1953, 1956 Secretary National Soccer League (Chicago)

· 1949 - 1953, 1960 - 1962 Chairman of Chicago Referee unit

· 1951 - 1976, Assignment Chairman for Chicago area High School and College games

· 1954 - 1975, Treasurer of National Indoor Soccer League Injury Fund

· 1959 - Present, officiated top level National and International games (see resume)

· 1961 - Appointed FIFA referee

· 1971 - 1973 Secretary Illinois State Soccer Association

· 1972 - Illinois H.S. Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame

· 1973 - NISOA Letter of Commendation

· 1977 - Founded the Arizona Referee Association (Tucson AZ)

· 1979 - NISOA Letter of Commendation

· 1979 - 1985, Organized Pima Cup (Now known as the Giebner/Pima Cup

· 1983 - Arizona Youth Soccer Association Hall of Fame

· 1984 - 1985, Arizona Coaches Association Award

· 1985 - 1986, Board member of Arizona Youth Soccer Association

· 1985 - NISOA Greater Chicago Chapter Achievement Award

· 1985 - Sepp Herberger Committee Award (Chicago)

· 1986 - Ray McNally Achievement Award (Tucson, AZ)

· 1986 - USA Cup Award

· 1988 - Present, Served as a National Referee Assessor

· 1991 - USA Cup Award, Most Contributing Referee

· 1993 - Ended Active Referee career at age 85

· 1994 - World Cup (U.S.A.) FIFA Inspector

· 1997 – USASA Region IV Hall of Fame

· 1997 – United States Soccer Federation Edie Pearson Award

· 2007 – Tucson soccer Complex dedicated to and named Giebner Soccer Complex

· 2007 – Arizona State Soccer Association Hall of Fame (first inductee)

· 2007 – USASA Hall of Fame Award http://www.usasa.com/About/HallofFame/200690.html