By Mike May
On any given afternoon or night during the winter high school soccer season in Florida, Noah Yannie might be seen officiating a middle school or high school soccer game anywhere in Palm Beach County, often alongside yours truly. But, I quickly discovered that there’s more to this gentleman than meets the eye.
For many years, Noah, a native of Ohio, and his wife Liana have split their personal and professional lives between northern Ohio and south Florida. It’s fair to say that both of them are unique ‘snowbirds’ who arrive early and leave late!
Noah has a pair of professional pursuits in two sports: golf and soccer, both of which keep him busy in Ohio and Florida throughout the year. Depending on the time of year, he and Liana are traveling back-and-forth between their northern and southern homes, in order to be in sync with the fall collegiate soccer season in Ohio and the winter golf season in Florida. While Noah spends more time in south Florida each year than in northern Ohio, his heart and soul remain bound to the Buckeye state.
“I was born a Buckeye and I’ll always be a Buckeye, but I love Florida,” said Noah. Even his cell phone has a northern Ohio area code.
As for his advancing years, now 65, Noah tries to keep things in perspective.
“65 — it’s only a number,” said Noah. “But, it’s getting to be a big number!”
To get to where he is right now in life, Noah had a real job for years as he oversaw the collegiate intramural sports programs at four different universities (Dartmouth College, Princeton University, Purdue University, and Palm Beach Atlantic University) from 1985 — 2009, but not at the same time!
Right now, in golf, he promotes golf and sells golf clubs as a sales representative for Cobra/Puma and Tour Edge. In soccer, he promotes soccer, loves watching it on TV, and he’s a highly acclaimed whistle-blowing referee, as he once officiated an NCAA Division III final four soccer match. He’s always encouraging others he meets to consider being a soccer referee, too.
Right now, it’s a lifestyle that appeals to Noah and Liana.
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Noah graduated from John Marshall High School in 1975. From there, he enrolled at The Ohio State University in Columbus where he graduated with a BA in European History in 1982 and with a Masters in Physical Education with an emphasis on Sport Management in 1985.
While enrolled at Ohio State, he played the trumpet in OSU’s famous marching band — “The Best Damn Band in the Land” — from 1975-80. He really enjoyed the Buckeye marching-band experience. During his five-year stint in OSU’s marching band, the football team qualified for a bowl game every year.
“While there, we went to the Rose, Orange, Sugar, Gator and Rose Bowls, in that order,” recalled Noah. “But, our football team only had a record of 2-3 against Michigan during those years.”
Oh, well, you can’t win ‘em all.
While he was a member of Ohio State’s band, which performed at home football games, he never had a chance to meet Ohio State’s then legendary head football coach Woody Hayes, but Hayes was a fan of the band.
“Woody spoke to the band many times,” said Noah.
While he’s no longer a member of OSU’s marching band, he still plays his trumpet.
“I play Taps at gravesites to honor Veterans who have died,” said Noah.
While he was studying at OSU, he developed his interest in being a soccer referee. It has become a lifelong attraction and affiliation.
“I have been officiating college soccer for 41 years,” said Noah. “It all started when I was in graduate school in the early 1980s. I have been officiating soccer for 46 years, if you count high school games and intramurals.”
And, he used his sport management skills to get a foothold in the golf industry, where he has worked on many different levels at many clubs over the years.
“I have worked in the golf industry for decades,” said Noah. “I have had stints working for a number of golf and country clubs in both Florida and Ohio.”
When it comes to spending time in Ohio, Noah and Liana are in Ohio from late summer to late fall.
“We are in Ohio from late August through November, in order for me to be a referee for the college soccer season,” said Noah.
And, then they pack their bags and head south, well in advance of the rest of the ‘snowbirds.’ And, Noah never forgets his golf clubs and his soccer whistle.