When it turns cold It’s time to get inside and play basketball.
And as high school teams take a quick holiday break and eye “turning the corner” for a district run in January, a Coldwater native has been recognized for 50 years of service to the sport.
At the “Big House" in Jackson during the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) tournament Dr. Jessie J. Edwards was recognized for his 50 years of service as a basketball official.
"As a student at Mississippi Industrial College (MIC) in the early 1970s, I was assigned to the gymnasium as part of a work study program,” said Edwards. “One day, the late coach Don Spight gave me a whistle and asked me to referee a scrimmage.
Then in the fall of 1973, the late coach Willie Thompson, while observing a practice and perhaps seeing some potential in Edwards to go with him to Tupelo to a basketball clinic and get certified
“I officiated many local junior high games in Holly Springs, and Marshall County in the fall of 1973 and 1974,” said Edwards. “I officiated my first high school game as part of the Mississippi High School Athletic Association in the fall of 1975. In my very first game I was wearing borrowed shoes. I borrowed them from then Coldwater High School basketball coach, and my high school coach, Coach Charles Crouther. Fifty years later, I am still running up and down the court with a whistle around my neck.
Edwards said it is by the grace of God that I have been able to keep going.
“So many who I started officiating with have experienced physical problems, like knees, hips and ankles or more serious health concerns,” said Edwards. “Not that God is not good to all, but the God's grace has been and still is shining upon me.
Edwards graduated with honors from MIC in 1975 in the field of biology and then earned a master’s degree in biology from Delta State University and educational specialist and doctorate degrees from the University of Mississippi in school administration, and educational administration respectively.
“When I started officiating high school basketball in 1975, I made $17.50 for two games, with two officials,” said Edwards. “In 2025, as you know, we are paid $160 for the same work with three officials.
“You can really appreciate the $160, if you started out earning $17.50,” he added.
Edwards point out for most of his 50-years, there were only two officials assigned to game. Now there are three. There was no three-point line when he started and Edwards said there were less things to look for then.
“I have officiated some big games, including the state tournaments, and many games at the college level,” said Edwards. “I have officiated approximately 70 high school games a year for the past 50 years, which adds up to around 3,500.
“I had no idea of course in 1975, that I would do this for this extended period of time,” he explained. “But my type of vocation as an educator, afforded me the opportunity to be able to make it to games.
“It can all be attributed to the grace of God,” Edwards said with a few buzzers under his belt. “At this point, I have no intention of retiring, indeed as long as I can remain healthy.”
Edwards has been married 44 years to Mrs. Rosetta White-Edwards and is the father of two daughters: Dr. Jessica Rose Edwards, PhD, and Dr. Sharon Jess'e Edwards, PhD.
