Remembering Jon Bible: A Legacy in College Baseball
Jon Bible, a name synonymous with excellence in college baseball officiating, passed away at the age of 75 after a brief battle with bile duct cancer. His death marks the end of an era for the sport, as he was one of the most respected umpires in its history. Bible is survived by his wife, Carolyn, and leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered for generations.
A Journey from Pitcher to Umpire
Bible, a native of Houston, began his journey in sports as a pitcher for Robert E. Lee High School. His path to becoming an umpire started when Lefty Graham, father of Rice’s legendary coach Wayne Graham, noticed his potential and invited him to fill in for an absent umpire at a Little League game at just 17 years old. That experience sparked a lifelong passion for officiating.
Over the years, Bible became a staple in the world of college baseball. He began calling balls and strikes at Longhorn baseball games in 1974 and worked the very first Texas game at Disch-Falk Field against St. Mary’s in February 1975. For 42 consecutive seasons, he partnered with Randy Christal, another notable umpire and close friend, in officiating Texas Longhorn games.
A Career Filled with Achievements
Bible’s career was marked by numerous accomplishments. He was inducted into the Collegiate Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019, and Christal later joined him in this prestigious group. His dedication to the sport earned him the respect of players, coaches, and fellow officials alike.
“I lost one of my dearest friends whose avocation paralleled mine through the years,” Christal said. “I know he made me a better umpire. He was outstanding and admired, and I really believe he was one of the top four or five greatest amateur officials, high school or colleges, that ever breathed.”
Bible’s lineage also ties him to the rich history of college football. He was the great nephew of D.X. Bible, a renowned college football coach who served as head coach at Texas, Texas A&M, Nebraska, and LSU.
A Strong-Willed Official
Known for his strong-minded approach, Bible never backed down from a challenge. One of the most memorable moments in his career involved a heated exchange with then Longhorn pitching coach Frank Anderson. After Anderson claimed Bible had mellowed and was “turning over a new leaf,” the umpire found himself in a verbal tussle with Anderson by the fourth inning and ejected him. As Anderson left the dugout, Bible called out, “That new leaf didn’t stay turned over too long.”
A Multifaceted Career
Beyond baseball, Bible had a diverse career that included officiating football games at both the college and professional levels. He worked as a minor league umpire from 1970 to 1973 and even refereed Southwest Conference football games starting in 1987. He continued until 1996, when he transitioned to the NFL as a side judge. Bible also refereed three Big 12 football championship games.
In addition to his officiating career, Bible pursued higher education, earning a law degree from the University of Texas. He taught business law at Texas State for over 30 years and held three degrees from the university.
A Passion for Fitness
Bible was known for his commitment to fitness, maintaining an active lifestyle that included jogging, cycling, playing golf, and doing up to 200 crunches a day. His energy and enthusiasm were evident in everything he did, whether on the field or in the classroom.
Contributions to NCAA Officiating
Bible also played a significant role in the development of NCAA baseball umpires. He served as the first national coordinator of NCAA baseball umpires from 1990 to 1996, helping to shape the future of the sport.
Despite having the opportunity to become a full-time American League umpire, Bible chose not to pursue that path due to his preference for a more stable lifestyle. His decision reflected his values and priorities, which centered around family and community.
A Lasting Impact
Throughout his career, Bible maintained a positive relationship with coaches and players, often attributing his success to good breaks and his ability to get along with others. “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.”
Jon Bible’s passing is a profound loss for the world of college baseball. His contributions, both on and off the field, will continue to inspire future generations of umpires and athletes.
