Episode Details

Officials Appreciation Week: Soccer Referee Gaou Boukari on Officiating, Preparation, and Getting Started

In this MSHSAA All-Access Podcast episode for Officials Appreciation Week, Dr. Jennifer Rukstad talks with soccer official Gahou Boukari and Assistant Executive Director Alex Huck about officiating in Missouri high school soccer and beyond. Boukari, an IT professional at the University of Missouri and a longtime player originally from Central Africa, shares his path into officiating through USSF and nine years with MSHSAA, including working the boys state championships the past four years. He discusses handling fan and player pressure, preparing through research and rest, differences among USSF, high school, and college rules, and how officiating changed how he views the game as a former player and coach. Huck provides an update on statewide official numbers and recruiting needs, and Boukari offers tips for new officials, including where to sign up.