Officials

William F. Laude

Year Inducted: 2000

Category: Officials

Schools / Organizations: IHSA
GVLC
COA
NFHS

Biography: William F. Laude retired from basketball officiating after 26 years in 1993 but came back for two more seasons in 1996. That was enough for the Frankfort resident as he settled back to watch his sons compete.  Laude was one of only two Chicago area officials as of 2000 and 11 in state history as of 2017 to work IHSA state finals in basketball (Class AA in 1985, 1986 and 1987), football (1988, 1989, 1990, 2003 and 2009) and baseball (1988, 1989 and 1994). He joined the IHSA as an official in 1967 and the Central Officials Association. He became certified in 1972 and a year later joined the South Suburban Officials Association, which he served as president from 1979-82. Laude drew his first regional assignment in 1974 and had one every year until he retired. In 1981 he was called to work his first sectional and also did one annually until retirement. He initiated the same pattern as a supersectional official in 1984. From 1993-95 he observed officials for the Great Lakes Conference at Lewis University. He also served the Central Officials Association as president from 1996-98.  Laude worked as a football replay official for the Big Ten and Mid-American conferences. He was inducted into the National Federation of State High School Associations Hall of Fame in 2017.