IHSA

Boys Track & Field Honorary Referees -- 2007-08

The IHSA is pleased to honor Mark Jostes of East Peoria as Honorary Referee for the 2008 boys track and field state meet. Mark’s dedication to the sport and many years of service at the state finals made him a natural choice to open today’s events.

Mark Jostes grew up in a track family in Moweaqua. His father Dick was the track coach at Moweaqua High School, and as he grew up Mark converted from a sprinter into a distance runner, the first of three Jostes boys to compete for their father.

Dick Jostes was also a respected IHSA track official, so when Mark graduated from high school, he followed in his father’s footsteps, working a variety of track and cross country meets across central Illinois as he learned the ropes. During this time Mark also officiated up to 80 basketball games a year before deciding to focus exclusively on running events in 1980.

When Mark first volunteered to work the IHSA boys state meet 33 years ago, he started out as a pole vault judge. A couple of years later he moved over to the finish line and has served as an assistant and head finish judge for 30 years. Mark also worked the girls state meet for 15 years, last serving as assistant head finish judge.

In addition to track, Mark is active on the high school cross country scene, working regular-season meets, as well as IHSA regionals and sectionals. For the past 18 years he’s worked the cross country state finals at Detweiler Park in Peoria, serving as starter, meet referee and, for the last five years, clerk of the course.

All told Mark figures he’s worked over 850 meets, worn out 30 coats and 15 starter sleeves, and shot thousands of .32 caliber shells (from only one starter pistol, which he says “still works great”). Mark likes to say that he’s been rewarded with the privilege of continual learning and interacting with many thousands of student athletes, coaches, AD's, parents/fans, and volunteer officials who make the whole officiating process a worthwhile and enjoyable activity.

A lifelong runner, Mark’s good health helped him beat a scare from prostate cancer five years ago. Mark married his high school sweetheart, Diane, and together they have two children and two amazing granddaughters.