Friends of Basketball

Warren Nicholas Jr.

Year Inducted: 1991

Category: Friends of Basketball

Schools / Organizations:
Libertyville High School

Biography:  Warren Nicholas Jr. brought in the 1990’s the same way he brought in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, controlling the clock at Libertyville High School’s basketball and football games. Nicholas got the job in an unusual way. “A bunch of us put a couple of bucks in a pot and decided to help the school buy a football scoreboard,” Nicholas recalls. “And since I was such an obnoxious fan, the others decided to give me the job of running the clock. That was a way to shut me up at games.” Nicholas has had the time of his life as official timer for the Wildcats and at two state basketball tournaments. Nicholas’ sons Warren III and Earl have served as a scorekeepers for Libertyville. Earl has served as official scorer at two state tournaments in the late 1980’s . “A good scorer’s bench is an extension of the officials on the floor,” Warren Nicholas said. “They work with one another. I really think that a good scorer’s table can make an average referee look better. I am sure you could get an argument on that. But I really think it’s true.” Nicholas says, “Libertyville takes a certain amount of pride for having a high class officials’ table. There’s a lot to be desired in some other places.”  Warren Nicholas, Jr. died on September 9, 2003 at the age of 81.