The legendary Paul Bourdeau, a founding member of the WCSOA, passed away in Texas on Dec. 31, 2017 at the age of 87. Paul was not only an instrumental force in developing the WCSOA, he was also a top-level high school and college official and longtime fixture at major games in Connecticut and around the country.
His soccer officiating achievements are too numerous to list here, and the awards he was given too countless to recall. What better way to honor Paul than through his own words. Below are pages from a detailed biography he had prepared on his career. Read through as he takes you on his incredible officiating journey.
TRIBUTE: Read story on Bourdeau's great career
Click here to download and read Paul Bourdeau's complete resume
The Paul Bourdeau Award is presented at our annual banquet for distinguished service to soccer.
Paul Bourdeau Distinguished Service Award Winners:
2024 - Art Solis - Head Coach O’Brien Technical School
2023 - Mike Madden - St Paul Assitant AD
2022 - Joe Mancini - Pomperaug
2021 - Willy MacMullen - Taft School
2020 - Owen Fenberg - South Kent
2019 - Phil Bergen - Ridgefield Boys Soccer Head Coach
2018 - Joe Palladino - Waterbury American
2017 - Mark Berkowitz - Weston A.D.
2016 - Rick McWilliams - Millbrook School
2015 - Joe Velardi - Pomperaug A.D.
2014 - Bob DeSantis - Bristol Central
2013 - Charlie Sharos - CIAC
2012 - Bill Sweet - Bristol Eastern
2011 - George Tirado - Wilby H.S.A.D.
2010 - Chip Salvestrini - AD.Danbury, New Milford, Ridegfield
2009 - Art Hamm - W.C.S.O.A.Interpreter
2008 - Ray Behr - Chase Collegiate School AD & Coach
2007 - Scott McCarty - Forman School A.D.& Coach
2006 - Michael Savage - C.I.A.C.Executive Director
2005 - Rick Wilson - Waterbury Republican-American sports writer
2004 - Greg Andrulis - Columbus Crew Head Coach
2003 - Kristine Lilly - Women's U.S.National Team
2002 - Ken Hoagland - Lewis Mills H.S., A.D.; Bob Suchy, New Fairfield H.S.A.D.
2001 - Gary Donaldson - Danbury H.S.coach; Jim Scully, Wolcott H.S.A.D.
2000 - Andy Pitonak - Official
1999 - Jim Dolan - Joel Barlow H.S.coach
1998 - Jim Trocolla - Danbury H.S.boys and girls coach
1997 - Larry Ashmore - Newtown H.S.coach; Tony Gorman, Abbott Tech former coach and A.D., retired
1995 - John Giampalo - Masuk H.S.coach and A.D.; Ralph King, Brien McMahon H.S.coach and A.D.
1994 - Joe DelBuono - Wolcott H.S.coach , W.C.S.O.A.commissioner, and C.S.O.A.president; Phil Lyga, Terryville H.S.coach
1993 - Tom Moylan - Bristol Central coach
1992 - Al Taubert - Newtown Youth/Adult Soccer
1991 - Charlie Caroll - CT Junior Soccer Assoc., NW District V.P.
1986 - Dana Jewett - Litchfield H.S.coach; Jim Stout, Danbury News Times
1983 - Robert Dikranian - S.C.S.U.coach
1982 - Joseph Morrone - UConn coach
1981 - Dave Coughlin - Hotchkiss School coach; Tom Nevers, E.C.S.C.coach
1980 - Dan Garame - Abbott Tech coach; Guido Tino, New Fairfield H.S.coach
1979 - Robert Broderick - Nonnewaug .H.S.,coach; Robert Cook, Watertown H.S., coach; Joseph Copeland, Volunteer Soccer Enthusiast
1978 - Brian Kelley - Official
1978 - Bob Sveda - Newtown H.S., coach; Pete Vibert, Northwest Reg.H.S., coach
1977 - John Coffin - Canterbury coach
1976 - Albie Loefflerr - Official, Staples H.S.coach