KENNESAW, Ga. | Jun 4, 2024

As his master’s thesis started to take shape, recent Kennesaw State University graduate William Reed noticed a limited amount of literature reviewing soccer referees within exercise science.

So, he broke new ground.

Reed, who earned his master’s degree in exercise science, connected his love of soccer with his academic interest in human performance, earning acclaim along the way. In 2023, he earned honors at theSymposium of Student Scholars and at Wellstar College of Health and Human Service’s Research and Engagement Day. In April, he won the Graduate College’s Three-Minute Thesis competition, all for his research into proper conditioning and analyses of running form for soccer officials.

“Soccer teams and leagues invest millions in their players, but I haven’t seen that kind of investment in officials—conditioning them or studying their work,” said Reed, who has officiated soccer games for three years. “My courses and research at KSU led me to deep study on this topic, and I hope to keep looking into it.”

In soccer, an official, known as the assistant referee, runs along the sideline carrying a flag, which adversely affects running form. Reed sought empirical data on those effects while working as a graduate assistant with associate professor of exercise science Garrett Hester.

“Most of the subjects’ movements and associated variables—whether that be forced production, whether it be acceleration variables, whether it be velocity or power—are all reduced significantly when they're holding that flag,” said Reed, whose thesis was titled “Kinetic and Kinematic Effects of Unilateral Flag Carrying on Referee Sprinting and Agility Performance.” “Whatever the mechanism is, when they're holding that flag, performance does in fact decrease.”

Senior lecturer of exercise science Kevin Huet, who officiates college and professional soccer games, first started working with Reed during Reed’s undergraduate studies; Reed also earned his bachelor’s in exercise science from KSU in 2022. Huet advised the undergraduate exercise science student group and stayed in touch with Reed as he advanced in his studies. When Reed got the idea for his thesis, he sought Huet’s advice.

“I’ve done similar research on soccer referees, but William came up with this idea on his own,” Huet said. “When he presented it to me, I was practically jumping out of my chair. I was so excited to see a student advancing this research, and I’ve been honored to help him out these past couple of years.”

Huet had contacts in various leagues, and he provided them to Reed for the research. Reed, in turn, worked with officials at multiple levels, from youth through college, and even included one subject with certification from FIFA, the world’s governing body for soccer. From the perspective of an official, Reed said he was happy to expand the base of knowledge on soccer officials beyond studies simply scrutinizing the accuracy of in-game officiating decisions.

Down the road, Reed hopes to publish his thesis in exercise science and strength and conditioning journals, touting the novelty of the research into an understudied realm. He wouldn’t rule out a doctoral degree focusing on sprinting mechanics or conditioning for soccer officials.

“If there's something you're interested in, chances are there is at least one professor who will support you if not multiple professors,” he said. “There is space for a person to explore what they want to. The world, and academia, only grow because of students taking, doing research and exploring their interests. Since KSU fosters that environment, I can't really think of a better compliment for an academic institution.”

– Story by Dave Shelles

Photos by Darnell Wilburn Jr.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 45,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.