Georgia Soccer is saddened to learn that one of our own Life Members is no longer with us. Barbara Jones passed away on Friday, January 19.
Barbara is remembered as one of the builders of soccer in Georgia. She was an outstanding leader and supporter in the development, conduct, and growth of Georgia Soccer. In the early years, she helped to form, organize, and administer youth teams and leagues, and was one of the early leaders to support our girls’ youth soccer programs. She was a teacher, and she put that experience to good use in a variety of roles as youth team coach, youth league official, and Georgia Soccer youth committee volunteer.
Barbara was a referee at a time when few women had ventured into that domain. She rose to top levels in both US Soccer and the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (NISOA), and officiated at local, regional, and national events. When she wasn't coaching or officiating, she was a top-level referee instructor. She taught referee entrance-level classes in many communities throughout Georgia and was regarded as one of the best instructors.
From 1983-87, she helped develop one of the annual recertification exams for US referees and the entrance-level certification exam for newly trained US referees. As part of her NISOA Referee Instructor activities, she taught at their annual Referee Training Camp in Elizabethtown, PA, a signal honor.
Barbara was recognized by all of her soccer colleagues for her reliability, organization, and teaching skills, and for her ability to accomplish whatever she set out to do. As we celebrate Georgia Soccer’s 50th anniversary, we can thank Barbara Jones for her many contributions to our present level of success.
Following her wishes, there will not be a public service. Memorials may be made in Barbara Herwig Jones’ memory to Alaqua Animal Refuge, 914 Whitfield Road, Freeport, Florida 32439.