Stewarts Creek soccer coach Brooke Mayo named FIFA assistant referee

You could say soccer is certainly in Brooke Mayo's blood.

When you define someone who "eats, sleeps and breathes" something, that could be Mayo in regards to soccer.

When she's not busy guiding the Stewarts Creek boys soccer program, she's spending much of the rest of her time officiating the sport.

And 15 years of hard work and dedication to officiating have paid off for Mayo, who recently was named an assistant referee with the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

She is one of only nine FIFA female officials in the country.

"I started refereeing 15 years ago (at age 13), and I love it," said Mayo, who was hired as Stewarts Creek's first girls and boys soccer coach in April 2013. To devote more time to officiating, Mayo stepped down as the girls coach in 2015.

"I really love my job at Stewarts Creek and want to continue teaching and coaching. To me, it all works together. I've always been busy. I get bored really easily."

An assistant referee is typically a linesman or lineswoman who aids the referees in enforcing the rules of the game.

There are three female FIFA referees and six assistant referees (including Mayo) in the U.S. She is the first female from Tennessee in that elite group.

"I've always loved refereeing. ... I've never taken a break," Mayo said. "I'm addicted to soccer. I love watching, playing, coaching and refereeing."

Mayo's rise as a ref

Mayo, 28, has worked her way through the officiating ranks, from local youth leagues to Major League Soccer events this past year.

The former Tennessee Tech standout began as a 13-year-old officiating youth leagues in Texas. 

She began working with younger officials in Murfreesboro when she started graduate school at MTSU.

Donald Barnett, president of the Murfreesboro Soccer Referee Association, wasn't surprised at Mayo's rise through her officiating career.

"It's her desire ... not only to call a good game," Barnett said. "Her hard work, training ethic, etc., are all the things you need to become an FIFA (referee). She did it right. She had the right people see her and went to the right tournaments. She has excelled.

"She mentored one of our first all-female crews to do a U-13 bash game."

Mayo "started taking more it seriously" when she was a 22-year old at MTSU. "That's when I started the upgrade process. I started getting assessed in the state and passed my assessments."

Mayo began as a Grade 9 official, which is the beginning level. Over the past 15 years she moved to a Grade 4 (national assistant referee) and is now a Grade 2 for 2018, with the promotion to FIFA assistant referee.

She became a state referee in 2015 and moved on to regional play, representing Tennessee, and had good showings there.

She was invited to the US Youth Soccer nationals in 2014 and has been busy going to "ID" events, which are similar to those that players attend to be recognized.

"We go to events where scouts are there," Mayo said. "I've been invited to events for US Soccer, some international events and development events."

Mayo receives high praise

Her mentor, former national referee and current national referee coach Andy Moss, said Mayo should be a role model for younger officials.

"The overriding quality that Brooke possesses is her drive and dedication," Moss said. "She has an unwavering commitment to the game. I'm a crusty old Brit, but Brooke is younger and more relevant to the (younger referees). Seeing her interacting with them is magical."

The three major levels of officiating include United States, CONCACAF (the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football), and World.

Over the last year she has officiated events for the MLS (Chattanooga FC vs. Atlanta United FC), the United Soccer League (2nd division), the National Women's Soccer League (women's equivalent to the MLS) and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

There is rigorous training, particularly in the fitness area, that is involved in getting to the level Mayo has reached.

"It's a challenge," she said. "But I love being around the best soccer and getting to be part of it. I set my sights on this and I take everything I do seriously."

Meanwhile she has continued to build the Stewarts Creek soccer program, which isn't lost on her peers.

"She is such a hard worker and she has set goals and checked them off," said SCHS girls basketball coach Lindy King. "She's a great role model for our kids."

Being on both sides of coaching/officiating, Mayo may not be as hard on high school referees as some others.

"It gives me a very different perspective," she said. "There are referee shortages, and I know why. There are issues on how referees are treated. But we're lucky to have some great coaches who really care in this area."

Mayo's goal is to work her way to becoming a MLS referee. The timing is good, with Nashville having recently been awarded a franchise. She's definitely on the right track.

In the meantime she will cherish her new role with FIFA, continuing to work state, regional, national and international events.

"I am incredibly thankful for the local soccer communities' support over the years as well as the support I have received from Stewarts Creek," Mayo said. "I will continue to work hard and I hope to represent Tennessee and the United States well and make everyone who has believed in me proud."

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.