To diehard college basketball fans, Ed Hightower's face is a fixture in the sport. When a big game is televised, there's a good chance Hightower will be in the center circle tossing the ball up for the opening tip. This season, Hightower is calling games as usual, even though a recent illness almost tossed him out of the game.

In the summer Hightower contracted endocarditis -- a rare illness that attacks one of every 10,000 people -- and the affliction jeopardized his life. His doctors aren't sure how he acquired the illness that ate away at the lining of his otherwise healthy heart.

After undergoing open-heart surgery and taking antibiotics, Hightower has recovered and resumed his daily activities -- which include officiating intercollegiate basketball games up to four times a week -- and his more important job as superintendent of schools.

"I contracted a bacteria that almost was fatal," said Hightower, who has refereed nine Men's Final Fours in his career. "It's the first time I was sick in my life, and it tells you how fragile life can be. It was very serious. They eradicated the bacteria. I'm doing great, but it reaffirms your priorities in life."

Hightower, 53, is grounded in his principles, and the illness only made him realize how much he has enjoyed his chosen path.

Since Hightower is one of the premier basketball officials in the nation, the NBA has made overtures for him to join the professional ranks, but he has spurned the invitations.

"My number-one love is education," Hightower said. "I deal with young people every day. I feel so fortunate, because I have the best of both worlds. I can work with young people every day to turn them on to life and make a difference. I can walk out on the basketball floor and do the same thing. How many people have the opportunity to do what they really love?"

Hightower has received many educational and community awards throughout his career. His work as a basketball official has garnered several international basketball assignments during which he has represented the United States.

He began officiating intramural games at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where he also was a basketball student-athlete. After earning bachelor's, master's and specialist degrees from Southern Illinois Edwardsville and a doctorate from Saint Louis University, Hightower began his career as an educator.

He also worked his way up the officiating ranks as a high-school, junior college, Division II and eventually a Division I referee.

He has managed to juggle his busy schedule without any drawbacks.

"I'm an educator first, referee second -- and that's great," said Hightower, the 1992 recipient of the Naismith Division I Basketball Official of the Year Award. "More than anything else, if you're going to be successful, you have to have your priorities in order. My priorities are my family, my job, refereeing, and church and community. I'm in on weekends when I'm not refereeing. For example, I did the Michigan-Purdue game (Sunday, January 30) and I was back in my office working from 7 p.m. until about 10 p.m. You have long days, but it's worth it."

He is known as one of the best communicators when it comes to basketball refereeing. He said it's a skill critical to his trade.

"Ongoing dialogue every time down the floor isn't necessary, but if a coach is in need of an explanation, I think we have an obligation and responsibility to provide that," Hightower said. "Even to a point a coach should be allowed to disagree with us."

Hightower believes veteran officials should mentor their younger peers. He offers sound advice.