Through his leadership, professionalism, and passion for athletics, Brother Terry E. Lee, Sr. has built an enduring legacy in Florida high school sports, inspiring officials, athletes, and communities across the State of Florida. On September 21, 2025, Brother Lee, Sr., Gainesville (FL) Alumni Chapter was inducted into the Florida High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. He was recognized for his more than 45 years of service advancing high school athletics in the state of Florida. He is a tenured member of the Mid-Florida Officials Association (MFOA), where he currently serves as Basketball Director on the Boad of Directors. Brother Lee Sr. officiated basketball and football at the high school and collegiate levels, while also mentoring generations of officials.
In addition to his 20 years of service at the collegiate level, Brother Lee Sr. performed extensive service as a basketball clinician and evaluator for the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). From 1989 to 2000, he served as the FHSAA Basketball Field Technician, and from 1995 to 2018, he was the FHSAA Basketball State Evaluator. Throughout his career, he officiated at least 25 FHSAA state championships and more than 100 district, regional, and semi-final contests. He holds the record for the most Final Four appearances of any MFOA basketball official.
Brother Lee has served on more than 15 athletic boards. As a leader within the officiating community, Brother Lee Sr. has been a member of the MFOA since 1979, serving as Basketball Officials Assigner since 1990, and has held memberships in the Mid-Florida Junior College Conference, South Florida Junior College Conference, Sunshine State Conference Division II, and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). His many honors include induction into the African American Coaches, Game Officials, and Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2022, and the MFOA Hall of Fame in 2023. Additionally, he has received multiple awards from the FHSSA, including the Superior and Merit Awards for service in basketball and football, as well as Meritorious Achievement Awards in both sports. In 1988, he received the MFOA Most Outstanding Basketball Official Award.
In addition to his state-level impact, Brother Lee, Sr. has been a fixture at prestigious tournaments, holding the longest consecutive streak of officiating the Kingdom of the Sun Christmas Tournament (18 years). He also officiated the City of the Psalms Tournament in Fort Myers, Florida. Amongst his most cherished contributions was assigning all-women officiating crews at major tournaments, demonstrating his commitment to advancing opportunities for women in sports officiating.
Beyond officiating, Brother Lee, Sr. served as the city of Archer, Florida’s Recreation Director from 1988-2005, where his program won numerous Tri-County League championships and was recognized as a leader in youth recreation. His community service has led to receiving recognition by the Gainesville Sun with the “Achievers Award” and the 2018 Martin Luther King Banquet honoree distinction by the Archer Community Progressive Organization.
Brother Lee lives by this quote: “God, Family, Education.”
Brother Terry E. Lee, Sr. is currently a member of the Gainesville (FL) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. He is a 1977 initiate of the Zeta Phi Chapter (University of Florida) of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, and a Life Member of the Fraternity.
