From the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame: The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame recognizes three men for their contribution as high school basketball officials as the 2026 Men’s Center Circle Officials Award winners. The late Tim Fogarty, Derek Howard, and Jim Wehsollek will be honored for their contributions. All Center Circle Officials Award winners will be honored at the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame’s 64th Men’s Awards Banquet on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Derek Howard Recognition During his officiating career from 1991 to 2018, Howard worked 22 sectionals, 17 regionals, eight semi-states and two State Finals (2004-Class A, 2011-Class 2A) in boys’ basketball as well as 11 sectionals, eight regionals, six semi-states and two State Finals (2003-Class 4A, 2006-Class 2A) in girls’ basketball. He also was a football official for five seasons, working one sectional. Within the IOA, Howard served as a basketball interpreter for five years, a basketball clinician for five years, membership committee chairman for two years and the mentor program leader for four years. Howard, 62, is a 1981 graduate of Beech Grove High School, where he played basketball and baseball. He twice was voted all-Mid-State Conference in both sports, was chosen 1981 all-Marion County in both sports and was a two time all-sectional selection in basketball. After high school, he briefly attended IUPUI before working for and eventually becoming owner of his family’s business, Howard’s Body Shop, from 1981 to 2004. From 2004-18, he worked as a manager for other collision-repair shops. He also served his community as a Little League baseball coach for 20 years, a YMCA youth mentor and was part of an Elks Lodge. Howard and his wife, Pamela, currently reside in Westfield and Brooksville, Fla. They have two adult children – Lindsay and Dexter – and two grandchildren. 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 Primo Banquet Hall, which is located on the south side of Indianapolis. Banquet reservations will soon be available early 2026 on the Hall of Fame’s website, or by calling (765) 529-1891. For more information, you may also email kayla@hoopshall.com.