It began accidentally. More than four decades ago, when his son began playing youth soccer and volunteer coaches were needed, Mike Mekelburg was on active duty with the U.S. Coast Guard. Still, Mekelburg began reading and studying to teach himself the game. Coaching led to more training. Ultimately, he became a referee.

And now you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone in soccer who doesn’t know Mekelburg, who officiated countless youth, high school, college, national, and international games. He’s now a National Assignor with U.S. Soccer, a mentor to referees, and the person who assigns them to matches, always looking for the right combination and challenge that will help his colleagues to advance.

More than a dozen of the people that Mekelburg trained and helped develop are now working as FIFA referees, the highest level.

Mekelburg’s son, Mike Jr., became a first-team All-American at the University of South Florida, and now he’s a soccer coach with Florida Premier FC.

“You work your way up through the various levels, and it just becomes a big part of your life,’’ said Mekelburg, whose last on-field referee assignment was in 2013 as he has poured himself into the administration and development of soccer referees. “When I started in soccer, I never would have imagined it unfolding like it did. I’m still here, busier than ever.

“It’s not so much a chore as it is a challenge, a chance for me to give opportunities to up-and-coming referees. I can open the door, but once they’re on the field, it’s up to them. I take a lot of pride in the referees I’ve worked with, going to the highest levels of the game. It feels like it’s a great way to give back.’’