PUC Chronicle

Issue date: 3/5/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Photo privided Eric Boria (left) stands with Esse Baharmast (right) during the National Referree Recertification this past January. Boria has been refereeing since 1988 and has refereed all over the country and in France.

Eric Boria is not your typical sociology teacher with a PhD When Boria's not teaching he's running up and down the soccer field, either playing or refereeing. Boria has been playing soccer all his life and has been a referee for almost 20 years. He grew up with soccer, watching it constantly and playing on local club teams.
"Soccer is my life," said Boria. "Being a referee is a profession like any other."
Boria began his referee career in 1988 when his father signed him up for the job. He started refereeing in Hammond, and has been wearing stripes year-round for colleges and adult leagues all over the country, even as far away as France.
With his experience Boria received the National Badge for refereeing in January and feels opportunities are coming his way in the next few years. Boria hopes to referee in major league soccer and more international games.
"You really start getting recognized once you receive the badge," said Boria. "It's an honor to receive it."
Of all the big games Boria has refereed, one that stands out was the competition between Indiana University and Mexico U-17. The participants that played on the U-17 team later played on the U-20 team that won the U-20 World Cup.
Each year there are new challenges and new experiences for Boria. With soccer being so time consuming, Boria often jokes his PhD is his hobby compared to soccer.
Along with refereeing, Boria plays soccer in the local Chicago Latin American Soccer Association 30 year-old and over league. Boria feels his biggest challenge is working with teams and players of different countries and different traditions.
"Different countries have different playing styles. They understand the rules
of the game differently," said Boria. "It is difficult sometimes to work a game
when different players have different understandings, expectations and
styles of play."
Boria's passion and understanding for the game of soccer keeps him going year-round.
"This is my life. It's one thing being a referee, not one thing doing it. You have to understand soccer," said Boria.
Boria plans on refereeing until the professional age of 45.

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