The Arizona State Referee Administration announced that Todd Sergi has stepped down as the State Referee Administrator of Arizona.

Phoenix, Arizona, November 04, 2025— Today, the Arizona State Referee Administration announced that Todd Sergi has stepped down as the State Referee Administrator of Arizona. The entire administration is grateful for Mr. Sergi's contributions over the past 6 years in this role.

"As many of you have heard, I have decided to step down from my position as State Referee Administrator, a role I have had the privilege and honor to serve in for the past six years. This was not an easy decision, but I know the time has come to step aside and allow someone else to continue the great work that has been started and to build upon the strong foundation of our Referee Program in Arizona.

Over the years, I have been fortunate to work alongside an incredible board whose support (and occasional challenges!) have always been grounded in doing what’s best for referees across our state. I am deeply grateful for the friendship and partnership of Dan and Barb Trainor of the Arizona State Soccer Association, as well as Jonathan Berzins and his team at the Arizona Soccer Association. The support from both our adult and youth leadership has allowed us to make lasting, positive changes for referees throughout Arizona.

Serving as your State Referee Administrator has brought me tremendous joy. It has been one of the great honors of my life to serve this community.

I am also excited to share that my good friend Joel Votaw has been appointed by the Arizona State Soccer Association and the Arizona Soccer Association as our new State Referee Administrator. Joel is an accomplished referee who continues to actively officiate across multiple leagues, including college and amateur levels. He has served as our State Youth Referee Administrator, is deeply involved with our regional leadership, has been an active mentor and now a Referee Coach.

Joel shares the same passion I have for developing and supporting referees in Arizona, and I know he will be a tremendous asset in leading our program forward.

As I step away, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to so many who have made this journey special:

Arizona State Soccer Association and Arizona Soccer Association Staff and Board

Thank you for believing in our mission, supporting our referee development initiatives, and encouraging our efforts to enhance the quality of officiating across our Leagues, State Cup, and Presidents Cup. Your friendship and partnership have meant the world to me.

Our Member Clubs, Coaches, and Directors of Coaching

Thank you for opening your fields for referee courses and helping us reach record numbers of new referees each year. Your understanding that we are all continually learning—coaches, players, and referees alike—has been invaluable. I appreciate your collaboration in promoting positivity from the sidelines, supporting our spectator seating initiative and fostering an environment of encouragement and respect.

The State Referee Committee

Our volunteer board is made up of some of the finest individuals I’ve ever worked with. You’ve supported, challenged, and managed to keep me on track most of the time. Through open communication and teamwork, together we have achieved results I am incredibly proud of.

Our Referees

To all of you, thank you. Your dedication, professionalism, and willingness to embrace change have elevated refereeing in Arizona. You continue to inspire me with your commitment to improving every match, every season.

My Family

To my three boys—thank you for your patience and sacrifices. Your love and support made it possible for me to serve in this role, and I am forever grateful.

Thank you all for the privilege of allowing me to serve as your State Referee Administrator. I look forward to watching our program continue to grow and thrive under Joel’s leadership.

You will be seeing more information coming over the next week or two from Joel about what is coming, so stay tuned!

Sincerely, 

Todd Sergi"

About Joel Votaw

"Joel Votaw, grew up playing soccer till age 12 in Southern California, when we switched to swimming and water polo which he excelled at though college. He was an AYSO referee for exactly 1 month, being so unprepared and bad, he was scared off and gave it up! Flash forward a near full lifetime, his children began playing soccer competitively and eventually became officials to better learn the game and make some money. In order to support the game he loved and spend time with his kids, he joined them and found a joy in the game he did not know existed before. He made a lot of mistakes, but persisted and worked hard to become a regional referee in 2017. He has enjoyed working with and for the soccer community and its referees for the past decade and looks forward to serving in a more formal capacity now. Joel and his family have lived in Arizona since 2005. They have one younger daughter still playing competitively in Arizona and another son plays with his college team."