Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League

 
How much of an impact did Mihalik have on basketball? Enough to be enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1986. Mihalik, a former player at Ford City High School, played professional basketball in leagues that preceded the NBA. From there, he went on to a highly-distinguished career as a basketball official, working six NCAA finals, two NIT finals and three NAIA finals. He also officiated in two Olympic Games. He got his start by officiating in high school, and worked nine WPIAL finals and five state championships. In 1951, one publication named him the best official in the country. Ford City’s gym is named “Red Mihalik Gym.”