Jim E. Brown was born and raised in Escanaba, Mich., and played three seasons of semi-pro hockey for the Escanaba Hawks.  While serving in the United States Air force, Brown played for the base team in Sault Saint Marie, Mich.  After his military service, he played for Northland College in Ashland, and then for the Senior Men’s Team in Wausau.

 

His officiating career began as a teenager in Eacanaba, and that career continued for the rest of his life.  He became a registered official with AHAUS in the 1960’s and continued to register with USA Hockey into his 70’s.  Brown first registered with the WIAA as an official in 1971, and his involvement with the WIAA continued for decades after that working rules interpretation meetings and later as a consultant.  He was the Conference Commissioner for the North Central Hockey Conference from 1979 thru 1992 and, as such, was responsible for the assigning of officials during that time.  He was a founding member of the Central Wisconsin Hockey Officials Association, and served as President from 1999-2008.

 

Because of his influence, Brown’s sons and grandson have followed in his officiating footsteps, and have worked as officials, locally, statewide, nationally and internationally.  Even in his 70’s, Brown was able to work with his son Jim and grandson Zach in a WIAA girls varsity game.  He continues to work with and mentor young officials, and, throughout his career, has worked extensively to recruit young officials in order to grow the game.  Prior to formal USA Hockey Officiating Seminars, Brown conducted officiating training in Central Wisconsin.

 

Brown has always believed that maintaining the safety and integrity of the game is the most important role that an official can play.  Early on, Brown led the way in cleaning up the game, and worked to help convince the WIAA to officially sponsor ice hockey as a varsity sport.  During his career, Brown worked 17 WIAA State Tournaments, as well as one season in the USHL, and five years in UW-Stevens Point games.

 

In addition to officiating, Brown was a founding member of Marathon County Youth Hockey, where he coached from 1965 to 1986, and was also the first coach at Wausau West High School.

 

Brown and his wife Andrea have three children, Jim, Dan and Carol.  Brown is also a member of the Central Wisconsin Baseball Hall of Fame, and the Wisconsin High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame.

 

The Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame was founded in 1975 and is housed in the Eagle River Sports Arena.  The hall was established to honor outstanding individuals responsible for the development, growth and success of amateur ice hockey in the State of Wisconsin.