Johnny Plechl - Region IV Referee of the Year

Salem Oregon 

Oregon Adult Soccer Association

John Plechl, a native of Germany, initially worked as a tailor in a Salem suit shop with his father.  He learned English by watching old westerns.  He entered a bowling league, served in the army, and boxed the Golden Glove circuit.  In the mid-sixties not a single soccer team existed in Salem.  John rounded up a few others who felt as strongly about soccer as he did, guys from England, Germany, and Mexico, and the Salem Kickers would soon be born.   Since the 'Kickers' were the only game in town, visiting teams would commute from Portland, but getting three referees to make the trip was a bit more of a challenge.  More often than not, a single referee was all they got. Plechl often found himself on the sideline with a flag in his hand, a way of showing appreciation for that one official that did show up. When a couple referees noticed his diligence, and encouraged him to take up officiating, Plechl admits now, some of his own teammates also agreed.                                  

PlechI is actually impressed with the level of opportunity that exists for referees willing to put in the time. He says better training, better clinics, and more games is raising the quality of officiating in Oregon. Johnny PlechI referees youth, women, men's and high school soccer in Salem, Oregon and the Willamette Valley.

Whatever PlechI has achieved in life, much of it he has given back to soccer. At 72, he admits he has not yet thought of when he might hang up the whistle for good.