Friends of Basketball

Joe Blank

Year Inducted: 1992

Category: Friends of Basketball

Schools / Organizations:

Princeville High School

Biography:

In 1955, Joe Blank was handed the scorebook and told to keep it for the Princeville High School basketball team.  In 1956, Joe was asked to do the announcing of the starting lineups for the Prince’s basketball games.  He was also given the task of keeping the official clock for the games.  That included keeping it for the Princeville Holiday Tournament, the oldest continuous holiday affair in Illinois.  Through his induction in 1992, Joe did not miss a game.

Joe became a registered official in football and basketball in 1956.  He continued to officiate basketball through 1986 and football through 1991.  In 1975 he was the assistant timer for the Boys’ Class A IHSA State Basketball Tournament; the following year he was the chief timer.

Joe earned the respect of Princeville opponents for his polite demeanor in his role of the officials bench during regular season, holiday tournament and regional basketball games hosted by the Princes.  

Joe Blank died on April 15, 2014 at the age of 83.