officials

Paul D. Highsmith

Year Inducted: 2000

Category: Officials

Schools / Organizations: IHSA
NCAA
Midwest Collegiate Conference
Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association

Biography: P.D. Highsmith officiated high school basketball for 37 years (1955-92) and retired after officiating the 1992 IHSA Class A title game where Findlay High School beat Normal University High School 61-45. Findlay and Highsmith joined the IBCA Hall of Fame together in 2000. Highsmith also officiated the 1990 and 1991 IHSA Class A state tourneys.  Highsmith officiated 4 Districts, 25 Class A regionals at 12 sites and one AA regional. He worked 8 Class A sectionals and 4 supersectionals. Highsmith also worked two seasons in NCAA Division I with the Midwest Collegiate Conference and two years in the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association. He worked Division II and III basketball from 1972-99.  The Oblong and Eastern Illinois University graduate started his teaching career from 1957-59 at Mount Pulaski. From 1959-70, Highsmith returned to Oblong and coached football for three years, assisted in basketball for three years and won three conference titles during an 11-year tenure as baseball coach. He moved on to Lincoln Trail College and compiled a golf coaching record of 1,677-627-14.  Highsmith’s greatest attribute in basketball was becoming one of the true leaders in officiating in southeastern Illinois and assisting many others to become excellent officials.