I was born in Gobler, Mo., about 80 miles south of Cape Girardeau. I moved to Alton, Ill., when I was 13, graduated in 1970 and attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on a basketball scholarship. I love the area. It is very conservative, and there is a quality of life I understand. I believe in the Midwest philosophy of raising a family and the value system. That is where my focus has been, and I enjoy it immensely.
Jobs I’ve held, as principal, assistant superintendent, now superintendent, don’t differ very much. Number one, you are responsible for the lives of young people. You are responsible to constituent groups—parents, employees. With each step you add to that ladder, if I may use that example—there are more individuals to take into account. The responsibilities just intensify and grow, but the approach is somewhat the same.
Our biggest challenge for public schools is to meet the needs of a developing population of students with various personal and academic concerns while identifying those concerns and addressing them. Second, our challenge is dealing with the fundamental issue of addressing such a diversified population of students bringing many problems to school. Another concern is safety. Our fourth challenge is addressing growth. I’m the superintendent of Edwardsville and finding space for all the new students is my biggest challenge.
I see life as a positive venture. Every day when I get up my goal is to make a difference in the lives I encounter in the best way I can. I want to improve on the skills it takes to address a changing population of young people.
I am a positive person by nature. I don’t believe in negativity. People look to me as part of the school district for a positive attitude and strong work ethic. They look to me for that energy. If I am that positive source then it will give them motivation.
Officiating basketball games is an avocation—it’s something I enjoy. I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to officiate games at the highest college level, but I would not trade one moment of my professional level as an educator to be an NCAA official.
My decision not to accept the offer to referee for the National Basketball Association validates the love, respect and dignity I have for being an educator. Of course, when you are under the microscope as a college official, making hundreds of calls every night with thousands of people scrutinizing you in this age of instant replay, it causes you to know you are on center stage and have to perform every game. Have there been any experiences to change my philosophy about what I do? No. Have I always had a positive experience refereeing? No. I am the luckiest person out there because I have an opportunity to work with young people every day and work with quality educators every day, and when I go on the court, I don’t have to change my philosophy about life. I’ve been fortunate to be part of the NCAA Final Four on nine different occasions.
So often we get to a certain level, and we say we are too busy and perhaps that is just an excuse, but it is important to give back to a school or church or organization that helped pave the way for your success. I won’t be too busy to give something back to those people who made it possible for me to afford the success I have.
We established a motto in my household long ago—quality over quantity. It is such a true statement. When my kids were growing up and they wanted me to be at a special event, they marked it in my schedule book and I was always there for them. My daughters, ages 27 and 22, will still call my secretary and say “put this in his book.” You are never too busy to find quality time for those things that you value.
Dr. Ed Hightower is superintendent of the Edwardsville, Illinois Community Unit School District #7. He also is a highly respected NCAA Division I basketball referee who has officiated nine NCAA Final Fours. He turned down a contract to referee professional basketball for the NBA in order to maintain his position as an educator and school administrator.
By Ed Hightower, as told to Traci Angel
