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Dinkheller's officiating career honored with IBCA Hall induction

Elgin resident Jim Dinkheller had modest goals when he enrolled in a basketball officiating class taught by late Elgin legend Pete Kovacs in 1980.

Talked into the class by Kovacs, who taught the Elgin Community College-affiliated course at Elgin's Kimball Middle School, Dinkheller figured he could officiate to stay in shape through the winter months and earn a little cash to boot.

Little did the Larkin graduate know it would lead to a 34-year officiating career and his eventual induction to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. The longtime referee learned last month he is one of eight officials slated for induction at this year's IBCA banquet in May, a level of recognition he never expected.

"I was amazed and honored and stunned and every word you could use when it comes to that," said Dinkheller, 53, a physical education teacher at Larsen Middle School in Elgin who also coaches boys golf at Bartlett.

"It's a fantastic honor. Awesome. Just a great feeling. Never in my wildest dreams in 1980 when I was taking that class did I think this would happen. I didn't get into officiating for this. I got into it because I wanted to get a little bit of a workout running up and down the court. And I like the people: the coaches, players and other officials."

Dinkheller said his life has been enriched by the friendships he has made through officiating. Among those he cites for their support through the years - starting with wife Laurieanne - are Elgin girls coach Dr. Nick Bumbales, former Elgin boys coach Jim Harrington, West Aurora coach Gordie Kerkman, Westminster Christian coach Bruce Firchau, retired Jacobs coach Jim Hinkle and Hampshire coach Bob Barnett.

Dinkheller said he was once driving north on Randall Road toward Jacobs in a snowstorm when his "beat up old Chrysler" conked out at the intersection of Big Timber Road. Randall Road was one lane in each direction back then. Who stopped to help him out?

"It was Hinkle," Dinkheller said. "He turns his car around and jumps my car because the battery was dead. He followed me up to Jacobs to make sure I got there. Great guy. You can't make up great stories like that."

Dinkheller first met Barnett when he was the coach at Hinckley-Big Rock. He respects Hampshire's coach for the manner in which he handles in-game disagreements.

"Bob treats officials the way they should be treated, with a little bit of respect," he said. "He doesn't have to scream in your face. He can talk to you with your back turned and say, 'Jimmy, it should have been this.' You know what? I respect that. I hear him once. You don't have to hear it 50 times."

Dinkheller will be inducted to the IBCA Hall of Fame at the organization's annual banquet at Illinois State University's Bone Student Center on May 2. He has no plans to stop officiating anytime soon.

"I do this for fun," Dinkheller said. "If it's not fun, it's called work. I love it as much now as I did when I was younger."

Kaneland lineup set: Larkin will play the host school in the finale of Kaneland's 2nd Annual Day and Knight of Basketball on Saturday.

The 6-game event features three sophomore boys games followed by three varsity games. Varsity action begins with Champaign Centennial vs. North Chicago at 4:30 p.m., followed by Hillcrest vs. St. Charles North at 6 p.m. Larkin takes on the Knights at 7:30 p.m.

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