'His whole mantra was about giving back.' Longtime basketball ref Joe Gilliland dies at 78
Pat Strong learned a lot officiating high school boys and girls basketball games with Joe Gilliland for 20 years. A lot about basketball. And a lot about life.
“I was kind of brash at one time,” Strong said. “I learned observing Joe — how he treated coaches and players. His demeanor. The calmness he had with everyone was just outstanding. You always knew the game was going to be called the right way working with Joe.”
Gilliland, 78, died June 23. The 1963 Beech Grove graduate retired from officiating five years ago, but was a regular at Beech Grove basketball games. Gilliland, owner of Sheet Metal Models Inc. for more than 30 years, worked his way up through the officiating ranks to call Big Ten women’s basketball games.
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“He was a great official and a very good teacher and mentor,” said longtime football and basketball official Kevin Brown. “I looked up to him as a young official.”
Gilliland worked big high school games, including the Indiana All-Stars and the state finals. But an aspect of officiating Gilliland enjoyed the most was helping young officials. Strong and Gilliland mentored more than two dozen younger officials over the years.
“He was really down to earth,” said Matt Knezevich, who worked with Gilliland and Strong for about 13 years, starting in 2005. “I didn’t have that mentoring as a younger guy so Joe graciously took it on himself. He really wanted to help you get better and you always felt he was someone you could come talk to, which I did. When I worked games at Beech Grove, he would come in the locker room and give us a pep talk. I think everyone kind of welcomed that.”
Gilliland is survived by his son, Tony Gilliland (Jennifer), significant other, Red Anderson, grandchildren Courtney Hack (Brendan) and Claire Gilliland, great grandchildren Harper Anne Hack and Elsie Chandler and sisters, Patty Abbott (Carl) and Susie Emberton. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eileen (Weishart) Gilliland and Joseph Gilliland, and grandson Chad Gilliland.
Strong remained close with Gilliland over the years after they finished their officiating days.
“He was one of the greatest human beings I knew,” Strong said. “His whole mantra was about giving back and not really caring about the accolades. If you are good enough, you will get the accolades. That was true for Joe.”
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Longtime IHSAA basketball official Joe Gilliland dies at 78
