officials

Paul McKinnis, PhD

Year Inducted: 1988

Category: Officials

Schools / Organizations: IHSA
NCAA
NIBL

Biography: Dr. Paul McKinnis of Eldorado worked his way up the officiating ladder. His 30-year officiating career started in 1925 while still in high school when he worked church league and intramural games. In 1955, McKinnis was sent on a two-month lecture tour of Europe by the Big Ten Conference and the U.S. Army. While there, McKinnis conducted clinics for U.S. troops and certain NATO troops. His itinerary included West Germany, France, Austria, and Italy. McKinnis worked both football and basketball in the following college conferences: Big Ten, Missouri Valley, Ohio Valley, Interstate, and Intercollegiate along with game for independents such as Notre Dame and Marquette. McKinnis worked in the National industrial Basketball League for the Phillips Oilers and Peoria Caterpillars. McKinnis’ high school work took him into neighboring states. McKinnis worked the first two North-South All-Star games at Murray State. He served as referee in the first Centralia Holiday Tournament and for the succeeding 12. McKinnis worked district, regional and sectional games for the IHSA. One of the things McKinnis takes great pride in is he was never physically threatened or abused by a fan or coach in any game he worked. Needless to say, none of his games ended in a riot or free-for-all. McKinnis was noted for his competence and integrity by all the coaches for whom he worked games. Dr. Paul McKinnis died on October 16, 2000 at the age of 91.