Jon Bible, veteran college baseball umpire, dies at 75

A Legacy of Excellence: Remembering Jon Bible

Jon Bible, one of the most respected umpires in the history of college baseball, passed away at the age of 75 after a brief battle with cancer. His death marked the end of an extraordinary career that spanned decades and left an indelible mark on the sport.

Born in Houston, Bible's journey into officiating began at a young age. He was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in mid-February and passed away on Saturday morning. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn. Throughout his life, Bible was known for his unwavering commitment to the game, his strong personality, and his deep respect for the sport.

A Career Spanning Decades

Bible’s officiating career started with Little League games, and he eventually became a fixture at Texas Longhorn baseball games. He worked alongside Randy Christal, a fellow umpire and close friend, for 42 consecutive seasons. Bible first called balls and strikes at Longhorn games in 1974 and was part of the inaugural Texas game at Disch-Falk Field against St. Mary's in February 1975.

His dedication and skill earned him recognition, including induction into the Collegiate Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019. Christal, who also joined the Hall of Fame later, described Bible as one of the top four or five greatest amateur officials in the history of the sport.

Family and Early Influences

Bible was the great nephew of D.X. Bible, a legendary college football coach who led teams at Texas, Texas A&M, Nebraska, and LSU. This family legacy of excellence likely influenced his own path in sports.

Bible’s early experiences in officiating were shaped by Lefty Graham, the father of Rice's legendary coach Wayne Graham. At just 17 years old, Graham asked Bible to fill in for an absent umpire at a Little League game, sparking a lifelong passion.

A Versatile Official

Throughout his career, Bible worked both baseball and football games at the college and professional levels. After a brief stint in professional baseball with the Minnesota Twins, he earned a law degree from the University of Texas and taught business law at Texas State for over 30 years.

He also had a remarkable career in college baseball, earning his first College World Series assignment in 1979. Over the years, he worked up to 25 regional tournaments. Bible was known for his fitness, regularly jogging, cycling, playing golf, and doing up to 200 crunches daily.

Leadership and Impact

Bible served as the first national coordinator of NCAA baseball umpires from 1990 to 1996. He also worked as a minor league umpire from 1970 to 1973 and refereed the 1984 ALCS games when regular umpires were on strike. Although he had the opportunity to become a full-time American League umpire, he opted out due to the nomadic lifestyle.

In addition to baseball, Bible refereed Southwest Conference football games starting in 1987. He continued until 1996, when he transitioned to the NFL as a side judge. He officiated three Big 12 football championship games during his time in the NFL.

Personal Philosophy and Success

Bible believed that his success stemmed from his ability to get along with coaches and players. "I enjoyed it and was successful at it," he once said. "I had some good breaks. I've always gotten along with coaches and players. I never had much trouble. It's one of those deals where if I had trouble I probably wouldn't have stuck with it."

A Lasting Legacy

Jon Bible's contributions to college baseball and football will not be forgotten. His career, filled with dedication, integrity, and passion, set a high standard for future generations of officials. His passing leaves a void in the world of sports, but his legacy will continue to inspire those who follow in his footsteps.