Gary Huber, Class of June 1965, was chosen for induction into the Hall of Fame to recognize his successful business career, but especially his successful 40+ year career as a soccer official. Gary was on Roosevelt’s wrestling and track teams, a member of the Key Club, and a Boy’s State Representative. Gary is married to his high school sweetheart, Suzanne Parra, also a June 1965 graduate.

Gary attended the University of Missouri – Columbia, then served in the United States Marine Corps from 1969 to 1974. Gary then worked in sales for several major steel companies, including Tubular Steel and LaBarge Steel, for over 40 years. In 1996, Gary was part of a group that started a new steel company, Permalok, which had a proprietary product for end finishes eliminating the need to weld steel pipes together. Gary was their Sales Manager in 2006, then promoted to Senior Sales Manager for the United States and later Manager of  Worldwide Distribution Units. The company started with a meager $260,000 in annual sales but grew it to over $28 million.  In 2016, the company was purchased by a large steel conglomerate and Gary retired from the company.

Gary began his extraordinarily successful soccer officiating career in 1985. These are just some of his many accomplishments. He has officiated in both amateur and professional levels across the country. At the amateur level, Gary has reffed over 1700 high school games over a 29-year period, including 7 MO State Championships, 13 semifinals, and 56 District games. He was President of the High School Soccer Association of St. Louis for 8 years. Gary has served as a Mechanics Interpreter for the Missouri State High School Athletic Association for 10 years. A mechanics interpreter is an expert official responsible for ensuring consistency in the application of rules and procedures.

Gary has also officiated many college games, along with scheduling and training officials. He is on the Board of Directors and past President, Vice President, and Secretary of the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (NISOA). He served as its National Director of Assessments for 10 years, overseeing assessments for their national referees to enhance education and testing. He is currently Chair of NISOA’s Foundation Fund, a non-profit multi-million-dollar grant program, which provides scholarships to train officials.

At the professional level, Gary has officiated games in the MLS (Major League Soccer), MISL (indoor) and the USSF (United States Soccer Federation). He has officiated over 500 games for the St. Louis Steamers and Ambush over 17 seasons.

As can be seen by Gary’s body of work, he embodies the spirit, dedication, selflessness, loyalty, and inspiration of the Rough Rider. The Alumni Association is honored to induct him into the Hall of Fame.

Gary has demonstrated the values of a Rough Rider throughout his career. The Alumni Association is proud to induct him into the Hall of Fame.