Madison Area Soccer Hall of Fame

The MASHoF Board members... 1/09/2009

Chris Rumbelow: President

Chris was originally from England and has played soccer all his life. He has been an integral part of Madison United Soccer Club since his arrival in Madison in the summer of 1980. Initially as a player for the United Open team competing in the State Major League ('80 - '90) and later for the United Reserve team. For a few years, Chris utilized his English FA coaching skills as the coach of the United Junior team (U16's & U19's)... many of whom went on to play for United in the Major League. During the early '90s Chris was the Open team Manager before taking a leave and hiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.

After few years hiatus from soccer, Chris returned to United as a player on their Over 40 team in '97. Chris is the current President of Madison United, continues to play on the Over 40 team and is a tireless worker for the Club. He is currently the web master for the Madison United Soccer Club web page: (www.madisonunitedsoccer.org) and this MASHoF site.

During his time in Mad Town, Chris has worked at virtually every soccer camp in the Madison area; was involved with the UW women's soccer program before it became a varsity sport; helped evaluate incoming freshmen for the UW men's soccer program; was the Head Coach of LaFollette Varsity girls team in '91 & '93 and recently coached his son's team to a Won-124 Tied-9 Lost-15 record.

Eric Bertun

Eric moved to Madison in 1993 from Virginia and in only his second game here, he tore his ACL, effectively ending a 22-year competitive playing career that began as a high school player in Wilmington, Delaware.

Bertun became a USSF State Referee in 1994 and has officiated many high school, college and club games. Among the early highlights were a United vs. 56ers Majors derby, UW women vs. North Carolina (still the all-time UW attendance record) and Edgewood College defeating Marian College for the Lake Michigan Conference men's title at Breese. Bertun's first of four WIAA state DI finals as referee featured Brookfield East boys defeating Cedarburg to cap a 29-0-0 season and #1 national ranking in 1995.

Eric holds a USSF national "D" coaching license and coached all four of his children in MAYSA recreational leagues on his "home" field at Tenney Park. He also coached a Madison 56ers U19 premier team and in 2008 was varsity assistant for the Madison East High School boys' team.

In 1998 Bertun was named Chairman of the City of Madison's Breese Stevens Neighborhood Planning Committee and in 2000 the committee recommended that Breese remain primarily a soccer-specific venue. After a brief closure for renovations Breese recently reopened for the fall 2008 soccer season. He continues to be involved in efforts to return the WIAA state tournament to Breese as well as future enhancements to this 82-year-old city landmark.

Eric is President of Madison FC (madisonfc.com) and Coordinator of Soccer Officials for the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). He is a former president of the Madison East Soccer Club and referee assignor for MAYSA.

Keith Binns

Regarded by many to be the "Father" of Madison soccer, Keith was born in Leeds, England, where he began his adult playing career with Leeds Nalgo in 1949. He immigrated to the USA and arrived in Madison in 1955 and played with the Milwaukee Bavarians in the Wisconsin Major League. You couldn't buy a soccer ball in Madison and there were no soccer fields anywhere in the City!

Keith met Peter Bostanescu and in 1956 they formed the Madison Soccer Club. He played in the State Major League and First Division until 1970, scoring over 100 goals for MSC. In 1970 Keith formed Madison United SC and played for them in the Wisconsin Soccer Association (WSA) until 1992. He still plays recreational soccer for United on their Over 40 and CoEd teams. Keith holds a 'D' coaching license and has coached at all levels, including youth, high school, adult men and women.

The Madison Area Youth Soccer Association was formed in 1966 and Keith was one of its founding members. Keith was also a founder member of the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association in 1976 and was Director of Development & Clinics - 1976-78.

Keith started the first female team in Madison at Memorial High School in 1974, and lobbied for the introduction of soccer into all Madison High Schools.

He was President of the Capitol Region of WSA from 1987-93, and was a WSA board member from 1987-92, receiving a Meritorious Award from that body.

During the late seventies and early eighties Keith was Tour Director and coach for Madison United's men's, women's, co-ed, and youth trips to England, Holland, Belgium, France, Jamaica and Mexico.

During his time in Madison, Keith has been a soccer columnist for the Capital Times, edited and published 'Soccer Madison', and has had a book "Alive and Kicking' published recently.

www.aliveandkickingsoccerbook.com

Raffi Mesdjian

Raffi was born in Baghdad, Iraq but came to the United States in 1974. His early years were spent playing for both Madison United and the Madison Soccer Club. Raffi was a starter at UW-Madison (1978–79) where he found the level of play challenging and rewarding. He then played two years at MATC.

In the early 80's, with the help of his younger brother, a cousin and a host of other foreigners they formed a new team called the Internationals. This team went by several names during the decade, including Gino's, the Dynamos and eventually the Madison Blackhawk's. It was with the Blackhawk's that Raffi played in the State Major League and earned the reputation in the league as an excellent defender and a very tough competitor.

As his competitive playing days waned, Raffi turned to refereeing. He became certified for both WIAA and NCAA competition where he quickly rose up the ranks and became a much sought after soccer official. Last summer Raffi earned his E level-coaching license and has been coaching his own children for several years.

Raffi can still be found kicking a soccer ball around for the Oregon SC in the Over 40 league with the same reputation preceding him. Off the field, however, Raffi is a quiet spoken but passionate ambassador for the game.

Jorge Arenas:

Jorge was born in Bogata, Colombia where he played in school, youth and adult soccer leagues. He moved to Madison in 1969 and played and coached various teams. As a player, he was part of Monona Internationals, Petries Academicals, Shorewood, Hockey Soccer, Madison United and finishing his playing career with Madison 56ers in 1999.

As a coach, he worked with MAYSA for many years, and with Premier league teams for boys and girls. At the High School level, Jorge shared his love of the game at Monona, East, La Follete and West.

He retired totally from soccer in 2000 after knee problems and a busy work schedule. Jorge is delighted to be making soccer history in Madison as a part of MASHoF.