Joe Jilek graduated in 1963 from Rice Lake High School where was an All-Conference linebacker during both his junior and senior years. He was also a two-year letterman in wrestling. As a senior he qualified for state at 165 pounds. He also captained both the football and wrestling teams as a senior. Following high school, Joe attended UW-River Falls. As a freshman he lettered in both football and wrestling. He decided to focus his attention on football during the rest of his college career. He lettered all four years in football and accumulated an impressive collection of awards. He was an All-Conference linebacker his last three years and a two-time Little All-American as well as the 1966 District 14 Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year. He was captain and MVP of the UW-River Falls football team his senior year. He played professional football for the Toronto Rifles in 1967. In 1967, Joe was hired by the Mondovi School District and named as head wrestling coach. One year later he moved to Clear Lake where he coached football for nine years and baseball for five. Since there was no chance of Joe getting the head wrestling position, he decided to pursue officiating. For the next 40 years, Joe officiated at football, wrestling, baseball and softball. He worked 14 WIAA state wrestling tournaments and state championships in football, wrestling and baseball. For 30 years he has been and still is a rules interpreter for the WIAA. He also continues to act as a referee tournament assigner. In 1994, Joe received the National Federation Interscholastic Officials Association Award for Outstanding Officials. In 2001, he received the Ken Kirby Award for Umpire of the Year for the State of Wisconsin. Joe and his wife Renee live in Glenwood City. The Jileks have two married sons, Todd and Craig. Todd and his wife Andrea and Craig and his wife Carrie have provided the Jileks with five grandchildren.