John Patterson
John is a 25 year veteran of the Air Force Reserve retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After graduation from IU he served the Indianapolis Public Schools as a teacher, coach and administrator for 35 years.
During his IPS years he became an IHSAA official. During his officiating career he has officiated basketball, baseball, softball, football, volleyball, swimming, cross country, track & field.
In the 50’s it was difficult for a black official to gain admittance to a state official association. In 1955 with the blessings of Commissioner Phil Eskew and the IHSAA, John and Ray Crowe of Crispus Attucks fame, decided to start the Fall Creek Officials Association. From the beginning with a membership of seven black men, the Fall Creek Officials Association was a welcoming Association for women officials in the 70’s and has grown to over 200 members.
John has received many officials’ awards and was a two-time girl’s state finals official in 1978-1979. Besides the Girl’s State Finals, one of the highlights of his career was officiating Attucks High School games during the Ray Crowe and Oscar Robinson era.
John’s retirement years have been filled with family, including wife Jennifer, three children and four grandchildren. He remains active in his church and has been a member of the MSD of Wayne Twp School Board since 1986. He was named Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Robert Orr in 1985.
John says, “Life’s been good”. Not bad for a guy who was suspended for a year from High School because he wouldn’t get to school on time.
Congratulations John! Thanks for all you have done for the youth of our great state.
