Officials

Eugene Lash

Year Inducted: 1991

Category: Officials

Schools / Organizations: 
Danville, IL

Biography:   It took more than 40 years of basketball officiating at just about all levels, compounded by football, softball, baseball and volleyball assignments, to finally hear Gene Lash say, “I can’t chase those kids anymore.” Lash began officiating when he joined the Army after graduating from East Stroudsburg (PA) State.  Lash came to the Danville area in the late 1940’s as an exercise therapist at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center. He was kept busy as his reputation spread for being a top official. The IBCA Hall of Fame will be Lash’s third. He was inducted into the Illinois High School Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974 and the Illinois Softball Hall of Fame in 1975.  His services were in demand throughout east Central Illinois and Lash quickly developed a great rapport with the coaches and fans not only in the bigger schools but also the smaller area schools.  Lash was a favorite of coaches at holiday tournaments and also at state playoff time.  He feels one of the biggest compliments he is paid often comes when “I’ll be walking down the street and some kid will come up and say, ‘you used to referee for my school.’   They all remember me.”  

Eugene Lash died on September 7, 2005 at the age of 83.