Harve Johnston - Inducted 1991

Born Aug. 31, 1920 in rural Bradley. 1938 Bradley HS grad. 1940 Mitchell Business School grad. In an officiating career that spanned more than 50 years, Johnston umpired baseball and softball, started track and cross country meets and refereed football and basketball. He officiated football games until he was 76 and started track and cross country events until he was 81. Got into reffing high school basketball after he returned to Mitchell from the service in 1945. Coached high school basketball two years at Plano (1947-49). He was the owner of Mitchell landmark Harve's Sport Shop for more than 50 years. Was a member of the S.D. Basketball Coaches Association and S.D. Umpires Association halls of fame. The referees' dressing room at the Corn Palace is named in his honor. In 1988, Johnston was named one of eight officials of the year by the National Federation of Interscholastic Coaches Association. Carried the torch in the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay. Once pitched a no-hitter in fastpitch softball in 1937.