Friends of Basketball

Joe McBride

Year Inducted: 2003

Category: Friends of Basketball

Schools / Organizations:

Roxana High School

Biography: 

Joe McBride was involved in high school sports since 1944. After graduating from Roxana High School, he attended the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. McBride officiated basketball games for five years while attending college. He also was the official scorer for regional tournaments, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville summer camps, Illinois’ Prairie State Games, Litchfield Sons of Legion All-Star games and Roxana boys’ and girls’ games.

McBride retired from his job as a pharmacist in 1988. Since that time he watched teams from 26 different states and 420 different high schools. He attended more than 1,000 games, 12 Class A and AA state tournaments and 12 St. Louis shootouts. 

Because of his dedication to education and athletics, McBride received the “Friend of Education Award” from the Roxana Education Association. Through his passion and love of athletics, he exemplified the popular motto at Roxana: “Once a Shell, Always a Shell.”

Joe McBride died on November 28, 2009 at the age of 81.