Hall of Fame
Jess Eastman was an excellent college basketball player, an accomplished basketball and football official, and for many years the physical director of the Joplin YMCA. Eastman was a member of Pittsburg State’s great teams in the 1930’s under the legendary coach John Lance. As a respected basketball official, he worked both high school and college games in an era when in some instances only one official worked the game. He became a regular official in the Missouri Valley and MIAA conferences. For almost 20 years he was associated with the Joplin YMCA and was instrumental in developing several programs including the hi-Y organizations, the Newsboys programs, and the YMCA Open League for independent basketball teams. Eastman will also be remembered for bringing sports figures to Joplin to speak to the youth of the community.
