LOUISVILLE, Ill. — The National Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee has announced that Jim Wagner has been selected as the 2026 inductee in the Officials Division, recognizing a career spanning more than three decades of dedication to high school and collegiate athletics.
Wagner has been a licensed IHSA official for 35 years and has officiated multiple sports throughout his career. His experience includes 35 years of basketball, 25 years of baseball, 25 years of softball, and 25 years of football officiating.
In addition to his work at the high school level, Wagner spent 15 years as a junior college basketball official in the Great Rivers Athletic Conference (GRAC). During that time, he officiated 12 Women’s Basketball Regional tournaments and was selected to work a National Tournament, an honor reserved for officials who have demonstrated exceptional skill and professionalism.
Beyond the games themselves, Wagner has earned a reputation as a respected mentor and leader within the officiating community. Throughout his career, he has helped train and encourage countless young officials, contributing to the continued growth and strength of officiating across Illinois.
Wagner will be formally inducted during the 2026 National Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, at the Teutopolis Banquet Hall in Teutopolis, Illinois.
His induction recognizes not only decades of excellence on the field and court but also his lasting impact on the next generation of officials and the integrity of high school athletics.
