Hissom Named to OVAC Hall of Fame

(photo provided)

Joe Hissom

ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OH – The Ohio Valley Athletic Conference announced recently in a press release two additions to the OVAC Hall of Fame.

Joining the Class of 2025 in the Officials category are the late Dan Delande (Bridgeport High School, Class of 1965) and Joe Hissom (Barnesville High School, Class of 1975).

They will be inducted at the 21^st Hall of Fame Banquet at WesBanco Arena in August.

Joe Hissom (Barnesville High School, Class of 1975)

A registered basketball official for 39 years, Hissom hung up his whistle following the 2020-2021 season.

During his career, he worked six OHSAA State Tournament games; 42 regional tournament games; 54 district championship games; 25 OVAC Basketball Tournament championship games and nine Buckeye 8 Tournament title games.

Hissom officiated games in the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference, East Central Ohio League, Muskingum Valley League, Inter-Valley Conference, Buckeye 8 Athletic League and Pioneer Valley Conference and countless non-conference games throughout the East District during his career.

He was named District 5 Basketball Coaches Association Official of the Year three times; the District 12 Basketball Coaches Association Official of the Year in 2002; and the OVAC Official of the Year.

Hissom, whose son Matt carries on the family tradition of officiating, was a member of the Ohio Valley Board of Basketball Officials and the East Central Ohio Board of Basketball Officials.

Previously announced honorees  this year include Buckeye Local’s Ron Pobolish and Magnolia’s Craig Schneid as Coaches; Wheeling Central’s Pat Korsnick and Wheeling High’s Gerald Schultze from the 1960s; Bishop Donahue’s Gary Fonner and Wintersville’s Ernie Andria from the 1970s; Linsly’s Heath Haynes and St. Clairsville’s Ann Osborne from the 1980s; Bellaire’s Richie Mamie and Buckeye Local’s Chet Pobolish from the 1990s; Martins Ferry’s Clay Tucker and Beaver Local’s Derek Wolfe from the 2000s; and Wheeling Park’s Errin Baynes and Indian Creek’s Alex Young from the 2010s; Steve Wojcik in the OVAC Family category and Mike DelRe as an OVAC Contributor, according to the release.