Bob Asmussen | UI offficial scorer Brummett plays a vital role from his 'best seat in the house'

For more than two decades, Edgar Brummett has had one of the clearest views and most important jobs at State Farm Center.

His title: official scorer for the Illinois mens basketball team.

If referees have a question about a play, Brummett provides the definitive answer.

The friendly Decatur native has loved every minute of it.

Its the best seat in the house, Brummett said.

A lot of fun.

And Brummett is excellent at his job.

Just ask the guy in charge of the Illinois program, Brad Underwood.

While the public might not be aware of Brummett, the head coach sure is.

Hes someone who has been so committed to our program that nobody knows the name of, Underwood said.

And he has a huge job.

You understand his passion for basketball.

Has a desire to want to be around it.

Brummetts basketball clock is ticking.

He is retiring as the teams official scorer at the end of the season.

The move coincides with his retirement from Ameren, where he has been in management for years.

Currently, he is the supervisor of gas operations and construction.

His final day with Ameren is April 30.

I love my job, said Brummett, who recently turned 59.

Brummett will be a guest on Mondays WDWS SportsTalk at Champaigns Esquire Lounge.

He is set to be on at 5 p.m.

His coworkers and Illinois basketball fans are encouraged to stop by and wish Brummett well.

How did Brummett land his official scorers job? He didnt just answer a help-wanted ad for official scorer.

He worked his way up.

At first, Brummett handled the scoreboard for womens basketball games.

Later, he added volleyball duties.

Brummett spent three seasons as the Red Hat, who helps coordinate TV timeouts during football games.

I liked it, but I didnt like the elements, Brummett said.

One game, I was out there in rain.

I had a poncho on, and Im like, Nah, Im not cut out for this.

I dont want to be outside.

In basketball, he rose to his current position.

In 2011, Brummett moved full time to the scorers table at Illinois mens basketball games.

The official scorer in college has to keep track of everything: fouls, time of every basket, etc.

Important to point out, basketball has always been a part of Brummetts life.

He played the sport at Decatur MacArthur High School (football and track, too).

He was a three-year varsity starter.

Brummett graduated in 1984.

He later took his game to Richland Community College, where he was a starter.

Thirty years ago, Brummett became a basketball official.

He climbed in the profession, working different conferences across the state.

He was selected to officiate three state title games in Peoria.

Brummett worked games with Derrick Rose, Eddy Curry, Fred Van Fleet players who later went on to the NBA.

It was a passion, Brummett said.

It kept me around the game.

Because of his history, Brummett has good relationships with current college basketball officials.

Underwood pointed out the importance of the official scorer, statistics crew and the folks operating the scoreboard at Illinois games.

Bruce Swartz is a longtime part of the stat crew in basketball.

He is a big fan of Brummett.

Edgar is an absolute professional, Swartz said.

All the men on the crew know their jobs, but Edgars demeanor is a constant reminder to do our jobs well.

Brummett had the difficult task of following beloved Tony Clements as official scorer.

Tony, a local treasure, succumbed to cancer in 2017.

(Edgar) had tremendous respect and love for Tony, Swartz said.

He never forgot who came before him.

In fact, on the 10th anniversary of his first game filling in for Tony, he and I shared some tears as the memories flooded back.

I reminded him what I had told him before: Tony totally approved of Edgar as his successor.

Brummett still follows Tonys method of keeping the book.

Like Tony, Brummett wears a striped shirt during the games.

You are considered part of the officials crew, Brummett said.

Brummett has a well-thought-out retirement plan.

Lots of golf and outdoor activities.

He has a place in Nashville, Tenn., and will be moving to the capital city.

I just want a fresh start, Brummett said.

The city is a vibe.

Its got the best restaurants.

The food is outstanding.

There are plenty of basketball-playing colleges in Nashville Vanderbilt, Belmont, Lipscomb and Tennessee State to name a few.

Would Brummett go to work for one of them? Heck yes, Id do it, Brummett said.

He is a big sports fan, with the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bulls and Chicago Cubs his favorites.

And Illinois.

The longtime resident of the state supports the program.

Brummett will be on the minds of his friends back in Champaign-Urbana.

I will miss him both at the table and as a friend, Swartz said.

And if Im ever in Nashville, I WILL check in with him.

Youre just ecstatic for somebody who has been so consistent, Underwood said.

I hope hes had fun doing it.

Im really happy for him.

Hell be missed.

I think weve had two official scorers in the last 40 years, and hes been a big part of that.

I hope hes got great, great memories of our teams.

Illinois basketball public-address announcer Tim Sinclair has worked with Brummett for a decade.

They sit next to each other near the court.

His book is the one that matters, Sinclair said.

Sinclair checks with Brummett if he is unsure what just happened.

And vice versa.

Sometimes we will get screened by a coach or an official, Sinclair said.

Sinclair appreciates Brummetts professionalism and friendliness.

Hes always been super kind, Sinclair said.

Engaging.

Hes obviously a fan of the game.

Its fun to talk about the game with him as our time allows.

Hes super good at what he does.

His experience as an official lends to being better at that role because he can anticipate what the official just called.

Brummetts daughter, Zsayla Brummett, is a UI grad who works at the school.

His son Tresden Moore works in cyber security in Indianapolis.

His son Justin Simmons lives in Champaign and is a drummer..

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