About

‘The Officials Mind’ was developed by veteran soccer official Karen Swanner, who has had nearly 40 years of officiating experience at all levels. Beginning as an ice hockey referee, Swanner has also officiated softball, baseball and basketball, but made a career as a soccer official. A former USSF National and 18-year NCAA National Referee, she has officiated in eight NCAA Division I Championships, and was named to finals in Division II, NAIA and Junior College. A pioneer for women in the officiating world, she was one of the first females to referee men’s professional indoor soccer in the 1990’s and continued in the indoor game through 2018. Swanner has also officiated men’s and women’s professional outdoor soccer and international friendlies including France and Mexico.

She has Master’s Degrees in Sports Psychology & Exercise Science; Journalism and Marketing. A mentor, assessor, assignor, instructor, lecturer and researcher, she has also taught courses in communication, self-confidence, stress management and non-verbal communication, and is a member of the Association of Applied Sports Psychologists.

‘The Officials Mind’ is a project that combines a 40-year career in officiating with Academic Research; with the objective of filling a void. Mental Fitness for officials is something that is rarely addressed, yet could be key to assist in the recruitment and retention of officials, which is so desperately needed. Swanner has used her resources to put together a team of experts, that can provide training for officials from their perspectives, based on their academic and hands on experience.