Officials

Jessie Knighten

Year Inducted: 2002

Category: Officials

Schools / Organizations:
IHSA

Biography:

Jessie Knighten was born and raised in Greensburg, Louisiana and played basketball at Grambling University. He came to Chicago to play in the Continental Basketball Association after a stint in the American Basketball League.

Knighten began a teaching career in the Chicago public school system in 1970 and began officiating in 1980. As a respected Chicago Public League official, Knighten continued to attend officials’ meetings twice a week to share his knowledge and learn from others. He is known for his willingness to train and teach new officials. He has worked CPL championship and state championship games.

He served on the Officials Advisory Committee for the IHSA in its first three years of existence. He served a second term for the Chicago Officials Association and a third term on the Advisory Board of the Metropolitan Officials Association. Knighten was inducted into the Chicago Public League Hall of Fame in May 2000.