The 2023 Gordon Crape Young Male Referee of the Year award has been given to Carson Flake! Kansas Youth Soccer and the Kansas Referee Development Program selected Carson for this honor based on his contributions to the game and to the community. We are extremely proud of Carson and believe he is extremely deserving of this award!

Like many of our officials, Carson has been around the game of soccer almost his whole life. He started kicking the ball around at age five and still plays today (club for Kansas Rush, high school for Blue Valley West). He credits soccer, specifically the past five years refereeing, as a vehicle to help him grow his social and communication skills. If he’s not on the field practicing or playing, he’s immersing himself in our continuing education opportunities.

Outside of soccer, Carson is in involved in National Honor Society offering community service initiates in and around his school. He embodies a passion for people, be that family, friends or a complete stranger. Although if you’ve met Carson, he does not know a stranger. 

We had some burning questions to ask Carson, so take a moment to hear directly from the 2023 Gordon Crape Young Male Referee of the Year himself! 

KRDP: How did you get started as a referee?

CF: I always wanted to be a referee as a job because I knew how fun it was and the awesome pay. 

KRDP: What motivated you to take refereeing more seriously?

CF: When I saw the pathway for the future seeing all of the higher level referees at my first ODP Winter Friendlies. 

KRDP: What’s one life lesson you’ve learned through officiating?

CF: I’ve learned to staying calm while navigating heated situations is key to your success in such situations. 

KRDP: You’re about to graduate from high school, what lies ahead?

CF: Attend Gordon College in Wenham MA and study Journalism while also playing soccer. I also plan to continue refereeing in the Boston area. 

KRDP: Is a hot dog a sandwich?

CF: Yes

Once again, congratulations Carson! We will miss you next year as you head off to college out east but know you will represent the Kansas soccer community well.