Pacific, Jan

Jan Pacific’s interest in sports developed during her childhood while playing in her backyard and in pick-up games at the park with her twin sister and brother. Both of Jan’s parents, Joan and Tom Clarkson, were captains for their Bethel High School teams and encouraged involvement in sports.

Sports for girls were just being introduced when Jan attended Bethel High School in the early 1960’s. She played basketball throughout her high school years. Her basketball prowess was legendary. She remains the leading scorer at Bethel High with an average of 22 points per game – a record that has stood since 1965! One of Jan’s fondest memories includes going undefeated during her senior year basketball season. Jan was honored as the “Most Athletic Girl” in her class.

After high school, Jan attended the Oklahoma University of Science and Arts where she obtained her BS degree in health, physical education and recreation in 1969. She played basketball, field hockey, and softball teams in Oklahoma for four years. Jan was a member of the Field Hockey All-Star Team from 1968-1969. It was here that Jan began officiating intramurals.

After graduation, Jan returned to Connecticut and her old high school. She taught with her former teacher and mentor, Linda Dirga. Linda, who was also a field hockey and basketball official, encouraged Jan to get her rating at the University of Bridgeport. That was the beginning of an officiating career that continues today! Jan recalls officiating field hockey and basketball with both Linda Dirga and Carol Robertson – two CT Women’s Basketball Hall of Famers.

Jan has been involved in the Connecticut Women’s Basketball Association and has been on the women’s board since 1969. Jan officiates for the AABO Board (since 2000), and served on the Hudson Valley Board of Officials in New York from 1987-2002. She has officiated in many regular season games and state tournament games in both Ct and NY, at both the high school and collegiate levels from 1969 through present.