Photo of the Day - December 9, 2020

Good buddies in blue

Officials John Heap (right), of Rantoul, and Jeff Reese, from St. Joseph, share a few comments between innings during SJO's home softball game against Rantoul in 2004. Reese, who passed away in July of 2018, was a patched IHSA football official for 49 years as well as a softball official for 30. During his career he served as president of the Champaign Officials Association. Reese worked as a softball official for two state championships (2008, 2012) and was inducted into the Illinois Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Heap, a veteran official and also a member of the ICA Hall of Fame, was a regular figure at area basketball, baseball and volleyball games in addition to softball. He worked the IHSA state softball finals (2000, 2002) and was an officer for 12 years in the Champaign Officials Association.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks