Meet B2B Recipients

SERGIO SAUCEDO, ARMY Veteran

“When I left the Army in 2015 after serving multiple tours in combat, I had a career, but it still did not feel right. 

I was missing that cohesion that I had with my fellow soldiers.  I had played high school football all 4 years and once I was in the service I also played as much flag football that was offered on base along with coaching Pop Warner.  So, I had some knowledge of the game, and I enjoyed every minute of it.  After I found out about officiating from a fellow co-worker, that next season during our clinic, Mike Pereira was our guest speaker and had asked the clinic who of us were veterans.  We raised our hands, and he told us about a nonprofit that he had just started called Battlefields2Ballfields and if we were interested.

At that moment Mike had done something that I don't even think he realized he did.  He connected a bunch of veterans that did not even know each other. Without him asking us to raise our hands and stand up I would have never known that there were more veterans in that group like me.  We all instantly clicked and still stay in touch to this day.  

After growing up and playing football in Stockton, CA, I joined the Army right after high school and traveled the world.  I learned that there is so much more to life than just work and go home.  Through the game of football, I was able to learn a lot about myself and teaching the younger generations about themselves.  I will be going into my 6th year of officiating High School football and have even jumped to another sport that I had no knowledge of but did it because of other veterans in B2B.  I have to thank B2B and Mike for being there and always checking in to see how my season is going.

curtis “Bump” millett, Army Veteran

"A leader should surround himself with persons who fit his requirements and standards.  Then turn them loose to do their jobs."  -- Harold G. Moore

When I first started officiating, I felt an instant connection to it.  One like I had not felt since I left the Army Reserve in 2002. 

From day one, Battlefields2Ballfields has made a tremendous impact on me and our recruiting program.  Since bringing B2B online three years ago, we have added 12 veterans to our officials roster.  Many of them are currently working more than one sport.

By adding military veterans, we get an immediate buy-in thanks to their understanding of esprit de corps and attention to detail.

The bridge B2B provides by giving individuals a path from boots on the parade field to turf shoes on the football field helps our officials build new bonds that they may be missing as they transition to civilian life.  Our B2B recipients are very thankful for the jump start to a new and exciting career.  It shows in the way they carry themselves on and off the field.

B2B helps as well with the business side of officiating, a side many of these men and women have never dealt with before.  This allows our officials to focus primarily on the on-field aspects as well as the camaraderie of once again being part of a team.

chris meyer, Army veteran

I am currently finishing my second year as an official at the San Diego County Football Officials association. Wanted to let you know how much your program Battlefields 2 Ballfields has had such a profound impact on my life and our official organization. The opportunity you have created through the B2B organization has been such a great experience and helped solidify our organization out west.

I can tell you it can take a long time to really become re acclimated to a community once you separate from the military. It can be an overwhelming struggle to find yourself again or the newer version of yourself as a byproduct of military service. 

However, your connection and sentiment toward the military community has done a tremendous amount of good while providing a great deal of value for veterans like myself to reconnect to the community.  

There has always been a love of the game, but after a few years embedded in this organization I can tell you it provides a deeper appreciation for all the facets of the game. The camaraderie there amongst officials is one of the elements I love that resembles closely to how it is when you are at war. The community is amazing and we have such a plethora of knowledgeable officials that selflessly give back to our organization. 

As part of the second year class we had a tremendous B2B Mentorship Director in Joe Magnunson and several other experienced officials like Don Carey, Mike Carey, Tim Podraza and Garth DeFelice among many others who provided value to our class. Everyone had such  wealth of knowledge,was gracious with their time, and are truly humble individuals.

I say all this because I am not sure how often you hear thank you for all the effort, time,energy and resources you have put into this organization. I do know that it likely isn't enough and I can't tell you enough how grateful I am to have gone through your program and the opportunity to have such experiences after serving in the military. It also instills a desire to help other veterans in our community improve as officials and also help other new officials shorten the learning curve in their early years. 

Thanks again for all you have done and continue to do for this organization. I can tell you that your program has a profound impact on many more than you likely know.