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Girls Track & FieldHonorary Referees2018 STATE FINALS

Don Korte

All-Time Girls State Meet Honorary Referees1978—Helen Riley, Charleston2000—Ola Bundy, Bloomington2001—Paula Coker, Mattoon2001—Jane Davis, Chicago2001—Dorothy Dawson, Chicago2001—Mabel Holle, Lake Forest2002—Pat McBride, Rockford2002—Mary O’Brien, Elgin2002—Barbara Richardson, Lansing2002—Joan Schmidt, Niles, MI2003—Leona Covert, Aurora2003—Jill Ferree, Woodridge2003—Madelyn Martino, Lansing2003—Helen Marie Wallace, Chicago

2004—John Bailey, Jr., Shiloh2004—David Daugherty, Mason City2004—Genelle Samuelson, Rockford2004—Mary Wersells, Chicago2004—Stephen Weckstein, Scottsdale, AZ2005—Phil Salzer, Peoria2005—Louis V. Hencken, Charleston2005—David Kidwell, Charleston2006—Joyce Carlson, Lemont2006—Gail Borton, West Frankfort2006—Eugenia Krzyzanski, Chicago2007—Geza Ehrentreu, Rockford2007—Nancy Grant, Eastern Illinois University2007—Tony Thorsen, Dwight

2008—Jim Effinger, Wheaton2008—Paul Neakrase, Washington2009—Lillian Spivey, Maywood2009—Win Eggers, Chicago2010—Jack Herschback, Chester2010—Ernest Adkins, East St. Louis2011—R. Bruce Weiman, Bowen2011—Matthys Bax, Carmi2012—Rose Effinger, Wheaton2012—Owen Fuller, Marseilles2013—Matt Piescinski, Charleston2014—Keith Kittell, Chester2014—Barb Kittell, Chester2014—Kate Kittell, Paris

2015—Sandy Jenkins, Chicago2015—Donna Campbell, Skokie2015—Tom Gavin, Frankfort2016—Michael Fontant, North Aurora2016—Larry Foster, Jerseyville2016—John Polka, River Forest2016—Tony Rainey, Chicago2017—Glenn Cothern, Gibson City2017—Bill Derks, Rochester2017—Bob James, Mattoon2017—Clarence Nolden, East St. Louis2018—Keith Jacobi, Batavia2018—Don Korte, Park Forest

Keith Jacobi

Keith Jacobi started his track career as arunner for Fenger High School in Chicagoby winning several individual citychampionships in the 880 and mile. As asenior he qualified for the IHSA StateFinals at the University of Illinois inChampaign in cross country and the 880.He continued his education and runningcareer at Eastern Illinois University, wherehe was a member of the 1974 NCAACollege Division National Track & FieldChampionship winning team, finishing 7thindividually in the mile finals. That NCAAmeet was held right here at EIU on whatwas an eight-lane pink tartan track at thetime. The stadium’s namesake, Maynard“Pat” O’Brien, was Keith’s coach during histime running for the Panthers.

Keith first got interested in officiating whilea student at EIU, as he worked severalmajor indoor invitationals they hosted. Heworked the 1972 IHSA State Finals and stillhas the ‘officials badge’ from thatmomentous meet. Later, after graduation,he was asked to start a track meet at NorthCentral College by Al Carius and that wasthe start of his officiating career. He wenton to work with Larry Roland, who taughthim about being an IHSA official, andunder Larry’s guidance obtained his IHSAlicense, which he has now held for over 30years.

Keith has worked the state meet for over12 years, first at the finish line as a timerand picker, then as a clerk in the tent.Twice he was The Conflicts Referee. Hehas also been assigned to various dutiesfor the last 15 years at the Cross CountryFinals in Peoria, including Class 3A starter.He twice was a starter for the NCAADivision III National Indoor Track Finalsheld at North Central and has officiated atvarious local colleges, the Big 10 CrossCountry Finals and recently worked at theUniversity of Notre Dame for a large indoorinvitational. Last year he was honored withthe IHSA Boys Official of the Yearaccolade.

Keith’s most satisfying accomplishmenthas been the mentoring of many newofficials, at least two of whom have beenState Finals Referees and Starters. Helooks forward to continuing officiating andhis annual return to EIU each year for theIHSA Spring Spectatular.

Don Korte is a 1959 graduate ofBloomington Central Catholic High School.He qualified for the IHSA State Track Meetin the sprints his senior year. He is a 1963graduate of Illinois State University, wherehe earned three varsity letters in footballand four varsity letters in track & field.

After graduating from Illinois StateUniversity, he taught math and physicaleducation at Parkside Junior High Schoolin Roselle, where he started a trackprogram. He then taught for 30 years atRich Township High School District #227.Don taught math, coached track & field andfootball for eight years at Rich East HighSchool. When Rich South High Schoolopened in 1972, he was employed as theDean of Students for 22 years. Don, whoalso coached football at Rich South HighSchool for 12 years, retired from educationin 1994.

Don has been involved with high schooltrack & field for 62 years as a student-athlete, high school coach and for the last46 years as an IHSA Track & Field Official.During these years he served as the HeadStarter for both the Girls and Boys StateFinals and the State Cross Country Finals.He also served as the Head Field Refereeat the Girls State Track Meet. For the last25 years he has been a member of theclerks’ staff for both the boys and girls state

meets. In addition, he has been a starter,assistant starter and meet referee atnumerous track & field sectionals.

As a competitor during his track & fieldcareer, he was the track & field MVP atIllinois State University as a junior andsenior. In 2013, the Illinois Track and CrossCountry Coaches Association recognizedhim for his Outstanding Service andDedication to Officiating Track and CrossCountry. In 2009, the NFHS OfficialsAssociation selected him as the BoysTrack and Field Official of the Year inIllinois. In 2012, he was inducted into theIllinois Track and Cross Country OfficialsAssociation Hall of Fame.

Don and his wife Judy reside in ParkForest and will be celebrating their 50thwedding anniversary in July.