NFHS rules writing committees consist of experts in the given sport. Each committee member is nominated by state associations, as is the chairperson, who guides the members through their work. Each of the NFHS’s eight sections are represented on the given rules committee. To allow for equal representation, there is also a member of the NFHS Coaches Association and the NFHS Officials Association on each rules committee. Each committee member serves a four-year term.
The NFHS is pleased to welcome three new members of the Soccer Rules Committee: Marvin Chou, Julie Hammons, and Saul Hernandez.
Marvin Chou, Section 3, is in his 9th year at the AHSAA, Alabama High School Athletic Association, as an Assistant Director. He oversees the sports of Cross Country, Swimming and Diving, Wrestling, Soccer, Golf, Tennis and eSports. He is also the Director of Technology for the AHSAA and administers the DragonFly content management system. Before the AHSAA, he taught PE and coached swimming, basketball and soccer for over 15 years at Randolph School in Huntsville, AL. His soccer teams won state championships in 2009 and 2013 and were runners-up in 2006 and 2012. He met his wife Jenny in 6th grade and they have been married for 16 years and have two children, Jake and Rhys.
Julie Hammons, Section 8, is currently serving in her fifteenth year as assistant executive director of the Idaho High School Activities Association. After a fifteen-year high school coaching and teaching career, Julie came to the IHSAA in 2007 and was given the responsibility and privilege of overseeing soccer, swimming, cheer, dance, speech arts, golf and softball for Idaho’s student-participants. She also manages all award programs for the Association including Academic State Champions, Legends of the Game, Hall of Fame and Schools of Excellence.
Julie has served the NFHS in numerous capacities during her tenure including being a member of the NFHS Hall of Fame Screening Committee and being appointed to two Strategic Planning Committees. She has also moderated many Summer Meeting sessions and has presented at Section meetings over the past fifteen years.
Julie lives in Boise with her husband, Terry and has three grown children.
Saul Hernandez, Section 5,is entering his 8th season as a head coach and 7th as a head coach for both boys and girls for his alma mater at Dodge City High School. Hernandez is also a physical education teacher and strength and conditioning teacher at Dodge City High School. He has won 2 undefeated state titles in in 6A in 2016 and 2020 with the boys team. Saul has also been a member of the Olympic Development Program for Kansas for six years. Saul was chosen as the NFHS State and Sectional Soccer Coach of the Year in 2016 and 2020.
Saul Hernandez earned his bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University in Health and Human Performance with an emphasis on teaching and coaching in 2013. Hernandez later got his Master’s degree from FHSU in Education with an emphasis on English Speakers of Other Languages in 2021. Hernandez is married to Jeanette and has 2 sons Arjen (10) and Saul (9).
These committee members will serve until 2025. We are excited to welcome these new members.
The Soccer Rules Meeting took place February 6-8, 2022 in Indianapolis, IN.
