By Bill Nichols

The more than 5,000 people who sat in on the Chicago Bulls - Cincinnati Royals basketball game at the Arena two weeks ago also saw Jackie White officiate his first National Basketball Association game in Cleveland.

White, who called Cleveland home for several years, is the first Negro official in the NBA.

The NBA has joined major league baseball and football in hiring a Negro official. Emmett Ashford is an American League umpire, Burl Tolar officiates in the National Football League and Aaron Wade is his counterpart in the American Footbal League.

"WE PICKED Jackie because of his fine background. Because of expansion we needed more referees. We scouted 10 men from the West Coast and two of them made it and one was Jackie," said Dolph Schayes, supervisor of NBA officials.

White who now lives in Los Angeles, officiates n the Pacific Coast Collegiate Conference last year and worked in the defunct American Basketball League several years ago.

White is a former probation officer and played one season for the Harlem Globetrotters.

Although Jackie no longer lives in Cleveland his ties here are strong. His mother, Mrs. Walter Green still lives here and was proud as can be of her son during his only appearance at the Arena so far.

"JACKIE HAS always loved sports and he was good at them too," his mother recalled. "I knew he would make a life in sports and I’m so proud of him I could burst."

Jackie got his NBA opportunity in the 1967 exhibition season in Hawaii. According to Schayes all reports on his work were favorable.

When White was signed by the NBA he was happy and somewhat philosophical about the appointment.

"The Negro has played the role of player, now we’re officiating. It’s a milestone in sports and we al know we have a job to do," Jackie said earlier in the season.