Leesburg and Logansport grads honored for their work as high school basketball officials

The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame recognizes three men for their contribution as high school basketball officials as the 2024 Men’s Center Circle Officials Award winners.

One graduated from high school in Kosciusko County, another in Cass.

John Lozier, Richard Modricker, and Jerry Taylor will be recognized for their officiating careers.

The late John Lozier, a 1953 graduate of Leesburg High School, played basketball, ran track and played baseball. 

John worked 24 sectionals, 19 regionals, 10 semi-states, and two state finals (1979 and 1980).  He had officiated numerous other tournaments and was named 1982 Roy Gardner Memorial Award winner.  He was a member in North Central (of Kokomo) Officials Association, serving as instructor and rules interpreter for between 10 and 15 years. John also mentored numerous officials in NCOA and in Logansport area.

Richard Modricker was a 1961 Logansport graduate who played basketball and baseball. 

He worked 34 sectionals, 28 regionals, 12 semi-states and one state finals (2005), as well as 2001 Hall of Fame Classic.  A member of the North Central Officials Association for over 56 years, he served as President, Vice President, rules interpreter, a clinician and an observer.

Modricker is retired from a position with Boeing Corporation and resides in Georgia.

Jerry Taylor, a 1974 Greensburg graduate played tennis both at Greensburg and later at Ball State. 

Taylor worked 19 sectionals, 16 regionals, 9 semi-states and 5 state finals (1992, 1996, 2000, 2005, and 2008). He was a 2007 recipient of Roy Gardner Award.  He won 1995-96 IHSAA/NFOA Outstanding Official Award for boys’ basketball in Indiana, and was a member of Western Officials Association, serving as Vice President and scheduling chairman. 

Taylor has worked with rules interpretation meetings, observation, and as a clinician. 

All Center Circle Officials Award winners will be honored at the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame’s 62nd Men’s Awards Banquet on March 20.

A midday reception, free and open to the public, will be held at the Hall of Fame Museum in New Castle.  The evening banquet will take place at the Primo Banquet Hall, which is located on the south side of Indianapolis. 

Banquet reservations are will soon be available on the Hall of Fame’s website, or by calling (765) 529-1891.  For more information, you may also email kayla@hoopshall.com.