Friends of Basketball

Chellis “Jim” Kessinger

Year Inducted: 2002

Category: Friends of Basketball

Schools / Organizations:
Chatsworth High School
(Fairbury) Prairie Central High School

Biography:

Chellis “Jim” Kessinger moved to Chatsworth in 1957 after his marriage to Mary Jane McGreal. It didn’t take them long to become involved in the sports programs there. He was one of the seven founders of the Quarterback Club in 1959.

Kessinger and the Quarterback Club were extremely instrumental in starting the Chatsworth Holiday Tournament that would continue for 26 years. Kessinger served as president of the club for many years and during that time the club put up new scoreboards for basketball and football.

The Kessingers had six children who participated in Chatsworth sports. Five graduated from there before the school consolidated with Fairbury and Forrest to form Prairie Central High School, which their sixth child graduated from.

Naturally, a booster club was needed and Kessinger joined with representatives to form the Prairie Central Booster Club. Kessinger served four years as its president. He and the officers started the eight-team Hawk Classic in 1985, which is one of the largest Christmas tourneys in the area. The boosters started the construction of a new concession stand that spring and had it ready for football in the fall. They also added a crow’s nest. A new basketball scoreboard was next on the agenda for Kessinger and the boosters.

In 1989, Kessinger was honored for his 39 years of devoted service to sports programs at Chatsworth and Prairie Central. He remained an avid fan and enjoyed watching two granddaughters compete and four grandsons who were just starting sports in grade school in 2002.