One of the least recognized endeavors in the soccer world is that of Referee.  It takes a unique individual to make a major positive impact on soccer through primary involvement as a Referee.  One such outstanding person is “Nick” Marino.  He can rightfully take pride and credit for beginning our entire state referee development program through his early involvement in the Georgia State Soccer Football Association, the forerunner of our State Senior Soccer Association.
 

Nick began his soccer career in the early 1960s as a varsity soccer player at the University of Pittsburgh, and his refereeing career in 1965 in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.  When Nick Marino came to Georgia in early 1967 to attend law school, three organized adult amateur soccer teams competed regularly.  They later became the Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League.
 

Nick recruited, trained and supervised the first group of referees who officiated amateur competition.  The next year, the league grew to 29 teams, and Nick strived to develop and provide for competent officials.  He served as President, Rules Interpreter and Scheduler of the Georgia State Soccer Football Association Referees, introducing and training many referees who later went on to top regional and national refereeing, including the professional level.  In those early days you would as likely find Nick on a Georgia soccer field in Atlanta, Augusta, Athens, Carrollton, Savannah or Tifton, or on a soccer field in Charleston, New Orleans or Tampa.  Nick was one of us caught up in the challenge and excitement of a developing game, and he always responded with energy and volunteer service.  Not only has he officiated for many years in the Atlanta area but also throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico in many major competitions.
 

He continues to officiate here, is a Referee-in-Residence at the Soccer Center in Fayetteville, and helps out anywhere as often as possible in his usual, dedicated and professional way.  Among his career affiliations are: Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, United State Soccer Federation, Georgia State Soccer Association, Vancouver British Columbia Soccer Association, National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association, and the North American Soccer League.
 

In 1971 Nick created a unique concept for semi-professional soccer in Georgia by forming the Atlanta Metros Soccer Team.  He arranged a full schedule of competitions in Atlanta with teams from New York, Mexico City, Dublin, Frankfort and Rome.  Then in 1987 he helped organize the Latin American League of Atlanta (Liga Latino Americana de Atlanta).  After 31 continuous years of refereeing, he experienced a minor setback in 1995, when he collapsed after a Roswell Spanish League game, was hospitalized, underwent six by-pass ope heart surgery, and recuperated for 2 ½ months.  Fortunately for soccer, Nick is again back on the field.
 

Nicola Marino’s soccer life exemplifies an unswerving dedication to and a positive impact on soccer in Georgia.
 

Nick and his wife Marisa reside in Riverdale and have 3 children; Olivia, Sonia and Francis.