Bob Kersch

Induction Year: 2024

Category: Officiating

With over 50 years of officiating experience in several sports – most notably soccer and swimming – Bob is one of the longest-tenured referees in Suffolk County prep history … he is often called “the official’s official.”

In 1963, Bob moved to Long Island to teach in Lindenhurst and left that post in 1970 to become the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs for the Town of Islip for several years.

He gravitated back to education as a principal and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and formally retired from education in 1991, later working as an education consultant. Bob was also appointed the Long Island Director of the New York State Mentoring Program.  

He has refereed in the Brookhaven Town Summer Soccer League for 42 years since its inception.

The Suffolk County Soccer Coaches Association presents the Bob Kersch Award to the Suffolk County/Section XI player of the year. 

In 2004, he was named Man of the Year by the Suffolk County Soccer Officials Association.

In 2009, the Town of Brookhaven summer soccer league began presenting the Pete Rowe / Bob Kersch Sportsmanship Award.