Hall of Fame

Newfoundland Labrador Basketball Association: About


Hall of Fame

The NLBA is proud of all the people who have made outstanding contributions to basketball in this province. The Hall of Fame is used to recognize, honor and pay tribute to all individuals, groups, associations, families or teams on the basis of either their playing ability, sportsmanship, character, and achieving extra-ordinary distinction in basketball, in amateur and/or professional athletics. Having given distinguished services, or, have made a major contribution to the development and advancement of basketball in Newfoundland. The NLBA Hall of Fame is proud to preserve and showcase the history of Basketball in Newfoundland and Labrador. Over the years we have inducted into the Hall of Fame many athletes and builders for their outstanding achievements in the sport of basketball. If you have someone you think is deserving of this award, please take the time to fill out the nomination form below. Also, please check out the requirements for your submission.

Hall of Fame Documentation: 

NLBA Virtual Wall of Fame
Click a photo for full bio.


Mr. Edward (Ed) Browne


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1981 as a “Builder”


Edward Browne played the major role in the establishment and operation of basketball within the province. He filled every role within the sport with dedication and expertise; remaining a

player all of his life while working long and hard as a coach, referee and administrator. His service to the sport spanned local, provincial, national and international activity as he earned a wonderful reputation everywhere for his efforts on behalf of basketball. As an educator at Memorial University for 16 years and at the Sir Wilfred Grenfell College for five years, Mr. Browne provided guidance and leadership for thousands of students, within and outside of basketball. He also excelled as a player in baseball and as an oarsman, while performing with skill in hockey, soccer and track and field.


It goes without saying, that Edward P. Browne can be called one of the Fathers of Basketball in Newfoundland. Ed was one of the founding members of Basketball Newfoundland (now NLBA) and was Basketball Newfoundland’s president for many years. He was also one of the founding member of the St. John’s Basketball League and their president for many years. He was coordinator of basketball in the 1974 Newfoundland Games, manager for the 1979 – 1981 Canada’s National team, and Convenor for an endless number of provincial basketball championships at all levels for men and women. Other of Ed’s achievements includes being the founder of the Masters tournament in Newfoundland; founder of boys’ provincial high school tournament in Newfoundland, and founded in 1977 of the basketball camp held annually in Corner Brook, NL.


Some of Ed’s coaching experiences included the following:

  • Men’s Canada Games Team in 1967
  • Men’s Canada Games Team in 1971
  • Men’s Canada Games Team in 1975
  • Teams in Junior Men’s Nationals for many years
  • Men’s senior varsity team at Memorial University from 1959 – 1975 (at times he also coached men’s junior and intermediate teams as well)
  • Men’ and Ladies’ teams at Memorial University’s Junior College in Corner Brook from 1976 – 1981
  • Basketball Newfoundland’s provincial coach for at least four years.

In the refereeing category he:

  • Held “A” rating with Newfoundland Association of Basketball officials
  • Had conducted many, many official clinics in all areas of the province
  • Has refereed at all levels of competition in Newfoundland

The items listed highlight the contributions made by Ed Browne to Basketball Newfoundland

from 1950 – 1981. However, they by no means catalogue his total contribution to basketball in 

Newfoundland. Nobody could even list the contributions made by Ed Browne to basketball

because there were endless player camps, officials clinics and organizational meetings that he

held for which there is no record. Ed’s dedication and love for the game has also inspired many

people throughout Newfoundland to become involved in all aspects of his sport.


In the early 1950’s Ed Browne was involved in the administration, playing, coaching and officiating levels of basketball. In 1981, Ed Browne was still involved in the administration, playing, coaching and officiating levels of basketball. This type of involvement was continued uninterrupted throughout the thirty years.


Ed has assisted the National team program by serving as Basketball Canada’s men’s National

team manager and assistant coach. Without question his administrative expertise and industrious management has been a necessary factory in the overall success of the National Men’s team. In this capacity, Ed served the team in Canada, South America, Central America, USA, Russia, England and throughout Europe at events like the 1976 Montreal Olympics, World Student

Games (Universiade) World Championships, Pre-Olympic tournaments and Pan-American

Games.


Son of the Honourable William Browne of St. John’s, Mr. Browne died in 1983. He was inducted into the Sport Newfoundland and Labrador Hall of Fame on November 3, 1984.

Mr. James (Jim) C. Quick


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1977 as a “Builder”


James (Jim) Chesley Quick played a major role in the establishment of basketball in the province. Jim was the founding (1969) president of the Baie Verte Men’s Basketball League; he was the first men’s coach in Baie Verte and coached in the first men’s basketball tournament held outside of St. John’s. He coached the first team from Baie Verte to win any award in basketball and the first championship team.


In addition to these accomplishments, Jim was instrumental in the development of basketball regionally, in Stephenville and in Corner Brook but of course his biggest contribution to basketball was in Baie Verte.


Along with his coaching and refereeing, Jim was instrumental in organizing the Baie Verte High School Invitational Basketball Tournament. This tournament was the largest and oldest continuing invitational tournament of its kind in Newfoundland.


Jim was born June 26, 1927 in St. John’s. He was the only child of Chesley and Marble Quick. He attended Bishop Field College from kindergarten through to grade eleven. Upon graduating Bishop Field he entered the Newfoundland School of Pharmacy where he graduated in 1948. On June 7, 1950 he married Elizabeth Mary Shea of St. John’s, they had six children.


In November of 1963, Jim Quick took up residence in the town of Baie Verte where he opened Baie Verte Pharmacy. It was on this day that a sport history would begin in that town. Mr. Quick being an avid basketball and soccer player himself was interested in helping the youth of Baie Verte. Upon arrival in the town Mr. Quick’s children were registered at St. Pius X Elementary / High School. He soon discovered that there was no physical education program in the school. He then initiated an intramural program that basically consisted of basketball. His next challenge was to organize a boys’ high school varsity team. Due to work commitments, Jim held practices from 9:00 am – 10:00 am each day. At the first practice he brought a block of wood, showed it to the boys and told them that is was not a basketball, otherwise they would have not know the difference.


Jim continued to work with the senior boys, slowly moulding them into a basketball team. Some short time later, he began a junior boys’ program and followed with a senior girls’ program. The men’s varsity team continually became a force to be reckoned with.


In 1969 Jim took a group of 12 boys to St. John’s to compete in the provincial high school “B” tournament, where they captured the championship. None of these boys had ever been off the Baie Verte Peninsula.


In 1978 he received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for community service. For example if you are using tabs to show different services write about what makes this service unique. If you are using tabs to display restaurant items write about what makes a specific dish particularly worthwhile or delicious.

Mr. Alfred (Alf) M. Connors


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1983 as a “Athlete” 


Alfred Connors played a major role in the development of basketball in Newfoundland, both as a player and as a builder. He was one of the founding members of Basketball

Newfoundland. Alf also contributed with many years of refereeing both at the local and the provincial level.


There was a consensus amongst basketball players and fans of the 1930’s and 1940’s that Alf Connors was certainly one of the best, if not the best, basketball player that Newfoundland

has ever produced. He had a natural talent and well developed skill and dexterity on a basketball court that would certainly have attracted national attention except for the fact that these were the years of the Great Depression. He not only played the game but devoted much of his life to encouraging and developing talent in others and many of the players of more recent years would attribute their acquired skills to the training,

advice and example of Alfred Connors.


While basketball was probably his first love, his prowess in football and baseball were almost

equally outstanding as the record of championships, in which he participated eloquently show. Alf Connors had an outstanding career in basketball, football, baseball, softball and bowling as an athlete and continued as an official, coach and manager in these and other sports when his playing days were over.


As a basketball player, he was captain of the Wanderers that won St. John’s championships

between 1933 and 1939, including five in a row. He was regarded as the first “real star of the

game”. He played at the forward position and was know for his ability to put the ball in the

basket.


He officiated in soccer, basketball and baseball, managed hockey and rowing crews, coached

track and field, baseball, basketball, and softball teams, served as a member of the St. John’s

Regatta Committee, the Newfoundland Hiking Club, was athletic director for the Patricians

Association and president of the St. John’s Junior Basketball League.


Alfred was inducted into the Sport Newfoundland Hall of Fame on October 21, 1986. He died at

the age of 88 on October 15, 2000.

Mr. Frank T. Butler


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1985 as a “Builder”


Frank T. Butler has played a major role in the development of basketball at the city, provincial and national level. While still achieving many plateaus as a player, Frank became a corner stone as a builder. He has served as a player, official, coach and administrator.


As a player Frank was a top scorer noted for his deft shooting touch and mastery of the jump shot. He was the first local player to effectively use the jump shot.


In the mid sixties he helped initiate the development of a provincial officials association.

He was a willing candidate to do any job that was asked of him.


His commitment to the sport extended to the national and international arena where he served as president of Basketball Canada for two consecutive terms of Office (1976 – 1980). He was also a member of the International Mini Basketball (1972 – 1974 Basketball Canada). 1972 – 74 he was Director of the Canadian Amateur Basketball

Association, and held the position of Vice President from 1974 – 76. 1980 he was Director of Sport Federation of Canada, and 1978 – 1981 a member of the Canada Games Society. He was on the 1976 site selection committee for the 1976 Pre-Olympic

tournament for Basketball Canada (Hamilton, Ontario). Chef de Mission for Canada at the World Junior Pan American Basketball championships (Brazil 1976), and presented to the Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA) in 1977 the concept of World Cup Basketball Championships (Munich).


Be it as a teacher, St. John’s League Executive member, past-president of the Association or as a professor at Memorial University, Frank has touched many students and players in a positive way.


In 1966, Frank was selected to the MUN Athletic Honor Society. In 1984 St. John's Basketball Assoc. inducted Frank into the Hall of Fame; and he was inducted into the Sport Newfoundland and Labrador Hall of Fame on October 26th, 1996.

During his playing days, Frank enjoyed exceptional success. From 1961 - 1968 Frank played in the Provincial Senior “A” championships where in most tournaments he was chosen an All-Star. From 1964 - 1967, Frank played for his home province at the

Canadian Senior “A” Championships. In 1967 he captained NL at the First Canada Games held in Quebec City; he was in fact the team’s captain.

As a builder, Frank assisted in organizing the St. John's Metro Basketball League. He

served as Secretary/Treasurer and President of NL Amateur Basketball Association before serving as a Director, Vice-President and eventually, President of Basketball Canada.


From 1978 - 1981 Frank was a member of Canada Games Society and also in 1980 was a Director of the Sport Federation of Canada. Frank was Chef de Mission for NL at the 1973 and 1975 Canada Games. During this time, he also acted as an Administrator for the first NL Summer and Winter Games.


Frank's ability as an organizer speaks for itself. Besides serving in leadership roles on

executives, Frank also coached MUN's Varsity Men's Team and helped with the organization of officials. His involvement as a Chairman on the "Green Paper on Recreation" shows his deep desire to improve Sport/Recreation in our Province.

Frank's past and present involvement with sport and recreation has set a high standard to

follow.

Irish Christian Brothers


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1985 as a “Builder”


The Irish Christian Brothers first arrived in Newfoundland on January 20th, 1875, and it

was primary regarded for its role in the field of education.


Organizational work in the mid 1940’s by Brother F. Brennan and Brother Warren led to the establishment of a Grammar School Basketball League in 1946 and the addition of a High School setup in 1947. The original schools involved were St. Bon’s, St. Pat’s, and Holy Cross but, with the addition of new schools, have considerably expanded since that time.


The Irish Christian Brothers did not confine their activities to St. John’s area and had introduced the game of basketball to many other areas of the province, including Harbour Grace, Avondale, Placentia, Grand Falls and Corner Brook.


The training, which many of the brothers have undertaken in the United States, has led to

a good understanding of the game. Their greatest asset, however, is the ability to train and develop young players in the fundamentals of the game. Many of the top players involved in basketball in the province have been associated with the Irish Christian Brothers.

Mr. Albert (Al) D. Haynes


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as a “Builder”


Albert Haynes’ love for the game of basketball began at the age of 11 in grade 6 at Bishop Field.  His playing days went through grammar school, high school and university and in the St. John’s Senior League. In the mid-sixties as a player / assistant coach his team captured the Atlantic Senior “B” championships in St. John, NB. Throughout the 60’s Al coached many teams at Bishops College and coached the Feildians Junior and Senior teams in the St. John’s League. Al served as an executive member and president of both the St. John’s Basketball Association and the provincial basketball association. Some of Al’s fondest memories are of representing Newfoundland and Labrador at National association meetings, and, in fact, meet his wife to be at one of those meetings in Vancouver. In 1978 Al was one of the driving forces in bringing the Canadian Junior Men’s championships to the Capital City. This was a very successful even and was still talked about in 2000. 

Mr. William (Bill) Connolly


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as an “Official”


Bill started as a player, but when asked to referee by Sam Walters ---- as they say “the rest is history”…. And what a history! His fondest moments are being selected to ref at the winter games in Lethbridge, Alberta and a senior “A” championship game between Alberta and Ontario. Bill is a member of the St. John’s Basketball Association Hall of Fame, has received recognition from the “International Association of Approved Basketball Officials”, and has been awarded the National J. A. “Wink” Wilcox Award of Merit 1987. Bill was credited with bringing back a “feeling of fun and common sense to the game. (St. John’s Basketball Association Hall of Fame, 1987)”.

Dr. William (Bill) Redden


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as a “Builder”


Bill Redden has been interested in every facet of basketball since he first became involved as a player at 12 years of age. In the province Bill was President of the St. John’s Basketball Officials Association and founding member and President of NABO. He is presently a member of NABO and has always been interested in improving anything he is involved with. As a Player he has played

at all levels. Junior high, high school, AUAA (UNB) and senior, always enjoying the game and the people he played with. It is as a builder, coach and teacher that Bill’s talents shone. Some of his accomplishments include:

  • Coach 1st provincial championships 1965 – 
  • Coach 1st women’s championships 1966
  • Coach 1st women’s Canada games team 1966 – 67
  • Coach MUN senior men and women 14 years
  • Director MUN basketball champs 1980 – 85, 1987 – 92
  • Coordinator Stroke basketball program 1984 – 86
  • Coordinator MUN / Holy Heart tournament 1981 – 1985
  • Coach St. John’s 10’s in the late 1980’s
  • Coordinator Nita Chambers (Sutton) tournament

Inducted in the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame on October 18, 1997.

Bill lists as the highlights of his career the time he spent developing basketball in the province and the MUN women’s AUAA championships in 1994, which can be said he had a personal involvement.


Dr. William "Bill" Redden, for the past 35 years, has made a significant contribution to the sports of Tennis and Basketball as an Athlete and a Builder. He arrived in St. John's in 1962 from his native Nova Scotia, via Labrador City, where he was a high school physical education teacher.


It is in the game of Basketball, however, where he has excelled. He dedicated the past 30 years to playing, officiating, coaching, and administering. As a result of his playing ability, he was inducted into the St. John's Basketball Hall of Fame. He has coached over 50 teams in Basketball from youth, junior high, high school, university, senior, and

Canada Games. As a result of his dedication to coaching, he was awarded in 1993 the Canada 125th Anniversary Award for Community Service.


Bill is also the founder of the St. John's and Newfoundland Basketball Officials Association. He was instrumental in the development of the high quality basketball officials we have today. For his contribution to officiating in Newfoundland, Bill was awarded the Wink Wilcox Award in 1990, presented by the Canadian Association of

Basketball Officials. 


He was Director of the School of Physical Education and Athletics at Memorial University from 1994-1997, and as such, guided the development of the Professional Preparation and Service Program of the University. 

Mr. Chris Griffin


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as a “Builder”


Chris Griffin was introduced to basketball at St. Mike’s high school in Grand Falls and continued to play at Memorial University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Physical Education. Chris coached at the high school, the college and the Canada Games level. Mr. Griffin is a past President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Basketball

Association (NLBA) and had been involved in the administration of basketball in the province and nationally and internationally. Chris’s love for the game sent him to Montreal as a marshal during the 1976 Olympics and to Africa to help develop the game over there. The greatest joy Chris got from basketball was watching people grow from their involvement in the sport. Many players have benefited from Chris’s knowledge, leadership, and sense of fair play. 

Mrs. Christine (Whelan) Mills


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as an “Athlete”


Christine began playing basketball in grammar school, but excelled through out her time as a PWC Collegian on both the Junior and Senior teams. She played with the highly touted MUN Ladies team, which toured Nova Scotia in 1957, and considered the tour as one of her fondest memories, especially being met at St. John’s airport on their return by family, friends, student body and the President of the University, Dr. R. Gushue being led to St. John’s City Hall in a huge motorcade to be meet by the Mayor H. G. R. Mews and presented with roses. Christine continued to play for three years at McGill University, where she “lettered” at basketball and other sports, a forward … she was a many time recipient of high scoring and MVP awards. Her competition was against Spencer and Mercy Colleges and the strangest rule of her time was the Guards were not allowed to cross the center line.

Mr. Douglas (Doug) Eaton


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as a “Builder”


Doug Eaton had been involved in basketball since 1935, when he laced up the sneakers as captain of the Wildcats, made up of grade 5 students of St. Bon’s. He has been involved in many areas of the game ever since. He played intercollegiate for St. Bon’s and also competed in many city championships. When he returned from Toronto with his Physical Education degree, he was considered a “Professional” and was not allowed to play. Thus started his coaching career, in which he was very successful. He lists as one of his fondest moments as the famous tour of Nova Scotia were he coached the MUN Ladies to

four victories… This was at a time when this type of travel was unheard of… 


For some of the strangest rules in his day of the sport, Mr. Eaton list the following: shape of the key; ball was not allowed to be held (crossovers, behind the back); coaching – if a coach yelled at a player it would be a technical foul. They were not allowed to coach from the bench. 


Mr. Eaton said that over the years the only rule not to change was the height of the basket.

Mr. Edward (Ed) Manning


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as an “Athlete”


Ed Manning was one of St. John’s top athletes in the 1950’s, excelling not only in basketball but in hockey, baseball, soccer, track and field, and golf. “Steady Eddy” was the main reason that the “Blue and Gold” won so many championships during his time playing. A continual top scorer and MVP, Ed was one of the finest and versatile players of his day. Contemporaries of Ed Manning will all too readily acknowledge that in the realm of local sport he was a natural, with the innate

ability to excel at any sport in which he elected to

participate.


Ed Manning’s career started while he was a student at St. Bon’s College in St. John’s. Between 1947 and 1950 he was a member of four intercollegiate hockey championship teams, four intercollegiate

soccer championship teams, and three intercollegiate basketball championship teams, and won the senior Victor Ludorum in the annual St. Bon’s Sports. 


Mr. Manning’s career in senior soccer really started in 1951. He was a member of six St. Bon’s Boyle Trophy winning hockey teams, two St. John’s senior basketball championship teams and four St. John’s senior baseball championship teams, and was one of the better soccer players at the Ayre Athletic Grounds.


He played on four St. John’s provincial senior baseball championship teams and on two occasions was runner-up for St. John’s Athlete of the Year. Mr. Manning made outstanding contributions to every team of which he was a member, always among the highest scorers in basketball, the best hitters and best fielders in baseball, the top playmakers and scorers in hockey, and one of the most effective and successful players in soccer.

Mr. Edward (Ed) Murphy (AKA “Floss”)


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as a “Builder”


Edward Murphy had his first introduction to basketball when he was a student at Holy Cross School in St. John's. Under the guidance of Coach Brother Cassidy, Ed's Holy Cross team won the Provincial High School Basketball Championship

defeating the powerful American team from Goose Bay. During that tournament Ed was named to the First All-Star Team.


While a student at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Ed played on the Senior Varsity team for five years. At MUN, Ed was greatly influenced by coaches Ed Browne and Bill Redden. The highlight of his playing career came in his last game for MUN when the Senior Varsity Team beat the Argentia Seals to win the Provincial Senior Championship. This was the first time that a MUN team had beaten the powerful Argentia team in the Provincial Championships.


In 1967, Ed was selected to the basketball team that represented the province at the first Canada Winter Games in Quebec City. While a student at MUN, Ed began his coaching career as coach of the Reddy Kilowatts team in the St. John's Ladies League. In 1971 he coached the provincial ladies team that participated at the Canada Winter Games in Saskatoon. 


Following graduation from Memorial University, Ed founded and was playing coach of the powerful City Furniture Basketball Team which dominated provincial basketball during the 1970's, winning numerous city and provincial championships.


In 1975 and 1976, while working as a Chartered Accountant in Marystown, Ed and a group of basketball enthusiasts formed the Marystown Basketball League. The Marystown All-Stars won the Provincial "C" and "B" titles and then challenged for the "A" Championship title.


Throughout the 1970's and 1980's Ed coached many provincial men's teams which represented the Province at national championships. However, some of Ed's most enjoyable times were those spent coaching his sons, Joey and Jeff, at MacDonald Drive Junior High and Booth Memorial High School. 


Ed's career in the administration of basketball started in the early 1970's when he became

President of the St John's Basketball League. In the mid-seventies Ed became involved with the provincial association where he held several positions before becoming President in the late seventies. In the mid eighties, Ed became involved in Basketball Canada where he held several positions before becoming its President in 1990. The highlight of his career at the national level was heading Basketball Canada's Bid Team to Munich, Germany where Canada was awarded the 1994 World Championships for Toronto.


Under Ed's leadership in 1980, Basketball Newfoundland and Labrador established a provincial Basketball Sports Hall of Fame and in 1983 Ed was selected as Sport Newfoundland and Labrador's Executive of the Year. In June 1993, Ed was one of ten Newfoundland and Labrador sport volunteers honoured when he received a Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada in recognition of his outstanding work for sport. Ed is a member of the St. John's Basketball League's Hall of Fame Ed was inducted into the Sport Newfoundland and Labrador Hall of Fame on November 2, 2002.

Mr. Frank King


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as an “Official”


Frank’s interest in basketball was sparked as a student at Holy Cross. He was never big enough or skilled enough to play for the school teams but remembers going to the old gym above the bowling alleys and helping shake the basket on the stage end. He played pickup and intramural ball in high school and later at St. Dunstan’s College (now UPEI). When he started teaching at Holy Cross he began refereeing. While teaching in Labrador City he was encouraged to do more refereeing by Bill Redden.


The highlight of his career was being selected to ref at the Women’s Intercollegiate Championship at Guelph in 1977, the first time a Newfoundland official did a National championship game.

Mrs. Gail (Moore) Roberts


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as a “Builder”


Gail Roberts has contributed to basketball from the first time she dribbled a ball, in 1963 at Prince of Wales Collegiate at the age of 13. In those days they were only allowed to dribble the ball three times before they had to pass and instead of a toss up to start the game there were a coin toss at center court. Gail was an MVP in high school and played on the Senior Women’s team at MUN, where she also played volleyball. In the 1970’s Gail coached Holy Heart to 8 city high school championships and 7 provincial championships, which wasn’t easy with competition from Bishops, PWC, Laval, and Stella Maris. Holy Heart was the first school to have fiber glass backboards, which fell down after only being up for 1 ½ years.


Her contributions also included being treasurer of the NLBA; being the official’s chairman of the St. John’s Men’s League in 1969 – 70, and was chair of the Women’s Athletic society. Her fondest memories are of playing in the Canada Games under Coach Ed Murphy; the winning teams at Holy Heart, and all of the people she has meet through

basketball. Gail has been positive influences to all who have meet her in the sport.

Mr. Gordon Breen


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as a “Builder”


Gordon Breen was the co-founder of the St. John’s Metro Basketball League. Along with Robin Short, they started the league in 1970 so that the guys in the “Gentlemen’s age group” could get a game of ball. A draft system kept teams recreational and competitive. With his right hand man, Graham Goobie, for 20 years Gordon was convener, time keeper, floor sweeper, referee, finance man, director and extra man for any team that needed a body. He did it all!!! The highlights of his time with the Metro League are of all the friends he had made and knowing that he helped provide an avenue for men to share the camaraderie of belonging to and participating in a great basketball league. Gordon Breen was inducted into the Sport Newfoundland and Labrador Hall of Fame (November 2, 1985), the St. John’s Amateur Baseball Association Hall of Fame, is one of VOCM’s great names in sport, and had received The Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister of Canada for his contribution to Sport (November 11, 1987). Gordon’s fondest memory of the Metro Basketball League was the establishment of the Margaret Breen Memorial Tournament by the Players of the League in appreciation to his late wife for all the time he spent at basketball.

Mr. Jack Walsh


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as an “Athlete”


Jack began his basketball career at St. Bonaventure’s College under the guidance of Brother Rhone, who had received a semi-pro contract offer before he entered the Brotherhood.


Jack was a member of the famous St. Bon’s team that won the city championship seven years in a row in the late 60’s and early 70’s. He played in the first game ever played at the Memorial Stadium, on the concrete floor… they slipped allover the place. There was great competition in basketball in those days… Teams for St. Bon’s, St. Pat’s, Holy Cross, Guards and Fieldians. Jack recalls St. Bon’s winning… Big Jack, as he was called, comes by his name honestly, the story is told of the time when Jack arrived home late one evening with 5 of this team mates in tow from a big game in Argentia… Jack’s mother feed the guys with the food she had set aside for Jack’s supper. 


Jack says that the highlight of his career is the people he meet and the life long friendships he established through basketball. 

Mr. John (Johnny) Seay


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as a “Builder"


Johnny first came to Newfoundland, in particular, Argentia, via the US Navy in 1963. He became athletic director at the base in 1969 and held that position until the base closed October 1, 1994. Johnny coached teams all through the 1970’s and into the 1980’s; during research for the 1999 Hall of Fame one person told it like this… “We had lots of competition in St. John’s, but we learned how to play from the Americans”. Going to Argentia was always a special treat for basketball players, besides the fantastic hospitality, the basketball was great. While they hosted many a tournament, Johnny wasn’t shy about bringing his teams anywhere in the province. He has always contributed to basketball in the province and in the 1980’s he was Eastern Vice President for the NLBA. He lists the many friendships he has made over the years as his fondest memories.

Mrs. Linda (Winter) Barrett


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as an “Athlete”


Linda began her basketball career at Bishop Spencer College at 14 years of age, where she was captain of her team and its highest scorer. She

continued to play basketball while attending Memorial University from 1955 – 1959. After graduation she played in the city league. During

her playing days at MUN, Linda came into her own. The MUN Ladies were the first Newfoundland Ladies team to travel abroad to compete in a basketball series. In a tour of Nova Scotia, these young Newfoundland women faced four experienced Nova Scotia teams and won all four games. The press of the day said that Linda was at “her sensational best” scoring 79 points in the four games, which was almost half of the MUN total. In the Canadian Press report she was described as “one of the most colourful lady athletes to perform in the Maritimes in the past decade”. Linda lists this experience as her fondest memories of the playing days. Locally they played their games at the old Memorial University on Parade Street. There were 4 or 5 teams in the league and her competition came from players like Christine Whelan and Carolyn Pike.

Mr. Raymond (Ray) Hawco


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as a “Athlete”


Ray began playing basketball at 12 years of age, with the “Argentia Scout Team” in 1948 and continues to play today (2010). He played with teams such as St. Bon’s, Grand Falls, Lewisport, with the RCMP in St. John’s, the University of Alberta, and since 1979 he has played in the St. John’s Metro League. He lists his highest level of competition as a player for the University of Ottawa. His fondest memories are of his playing days in Lewisport and St. Mary’s.


Ray is a gentleman and a competitor in everything he does, so it is no surprise that he has won many MVP and All Star awards. Ray has given back to the game by coaching in different communities he has lived and continues to give back as an inspiration to all the players around him…. Ray remembers being wood to the games at CC Armory for heat and paying $7.20 for a pair of sneakers, and not being able to tell his parents how much he paid. These sneakers did him two seasons.

Mr. Dave Barrett


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2001 as an “Athlete”


Dave Barrett had size, speed, agility and great anticipation. He combined those ingredients to become one of the most versatile athletes St. John’s ever produced. He has been proudly added

to our Hall of Fame list as an outstanding athlete.


Dave played his basketball for the Blue and Golds of St. Bon’s while in school and later in the city league. Scoring championships and most

valuable player awards came easy for the six-foot two inch athlete who carried 185 lbs over a muscular frame. While he played for St. Bon’s all throughout school, he would lead his team to countless victories as he had 35 point games and averaged 29 – 30 points per game season. The

Media of the day said things like the team’s best ball handler and dangerous scorer… The Daily News called him Mr. Basketball….. Dave was inducted into the St. John’s hall of Fame in 1984. To this day, everyone knows Dave Barrett as one of the most promising athletes St. Bon’s and Newfoundland had every seen. 

Mr. Martin Cull


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2001 as a “Builder”


The amount of hours Martin Cull has spent at Basketball can not be calculated very easily. He has coached in access of 65 teams. A proven Communicator and Motivator, Martin has worked with very good teams and made them better and he has built champions from the ground up. He is well respected because of his dedication to his players and because of the respect he shows them. An inspiration to many… part of Martin’s success lies in the number of people he has coached whom today continue to play or coach here in the province.


One of the most respected coaches in the province during the past four decades, Martin Cull has always had the ability to bring out the best in the athletes fortunate enough to have played on one of his teams. In the province he has coached teams in St. John’s from school such as St. Bon’s, St. Pius X, Brother Rice and Gonzaga, in Placentia he coached at Laval, in Corner Brook he coached at Regina, plus he has coached teams at the provincial level and in the Senior Men’s Division 1 and Ladies Leagues, and is currently assistant coach with the MUN Men’s Sea~Hawks basketball team. His coaching stats are unbelieveable.

Mr. Randy Ball


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2001 as an “Official”


Randy has been an active official for the past 40 years, having started his officiating career in 1970 under the newly established IAABO Board 117. Randy has been a nationally certified official for in excess of 25 years, having extraordinary success as a basketball official at all levels, the provincial, national and international – collegiate scenes.


He knows the game of basketball very well and is a very fair, responsible and trusted referee. Randy has officiated more than 100 provincial championships and worked the gold medal game in a significant number of these over the years. At the National level Randy has officiated at 12 national events; twice he was assigned gold medal games at a national event. But not only is he an official, he has also been the college commissioner for both Men’s and Women’s basketball for over 7 years and assigns and evaluates all games at Memorial University. He also spent over 5 years assigning as an Assignor / Evaluator for National Tournaments sponsored by Canada Basketball. As a member of the Canadian Association of Basketball Officials, Randy was NL representative on the National Council for over 8 years….


Randy is well respected in the Basketball Community, being highly thought of by Players, Coaches and fellow Officials.

Mr. Edward (Ed) Browne

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1981 as a “Builder”


Edward Browne played the major role in the establishment and operation of basketball within the province. He filled every role within the sport with dedication and expertise; remaining a

player all of his life while working long and hard as a coach, referee and administrator. His service to the sport spanned local, provincial, national and international activity as he earned a wonderful reputation everywhere for his efforts on behalf of basketball. As an educator at Memorial University for 16 years and at the Sir Wilfred Grenfell College for five years, Mr. Browne provided guidance and leadership for thousands of students, within and outside of basketball. He also excelled as a player in baseball and as an oarsman, while performing with skill in hockey, soccer and track and field.


It goes without saying, that Edward P. Browne can be called one of the Fathers of Basketball in Newfoundland. Ed was one of the founding members of Basketball Newfoundland (now NLBA) and was Basketball Newfoundland’s president for many years. He was also one of the founding member of the St. John’s Basketball League and their president for many years. He was coordinator of basketball in the 1974 Newfoundland Games, manager for the 1979 – 1981 Canada’s National team, and Convenor for an endless number of provincial basketball championships at all levels for men and women. Other of Ed’s achievements includes being the founder of the Masters tournament in Newfoundland; founder of boys’ provincial high school tournament in Newfoundland, and founded in 1977 of the basketball camp held annually in Corner Brook, NL.


Some of Ed’s coaching experiences included the following:

  • Men’s Canada Games Team in 1967
  • Men’s Canada Games Team in 1971
  • Men’s Canada Games Team in 1975
  • Teams in Junior Men’s Nationals for many years
  • Men’s senior varsity team at Memorial University from 1959 – 1975 (at times he also coached men’s junior and intermediate teams as well)
  • Men’ and Ladies’ teams at Memorial University’s Junior College in Corner Brook from 1976 – 1981
  • Basketball Newfoundland’s provincial coach for at least four years.

In the refereeing category he:

  • Held “A” rating with Newfoundland Association of Basketball officials
  • Had conducted many, many official clinics in all areas of the province
  • Has refereed at all levels of competition in Newfoundland

The items listed highlight the contributions made by Ed Browne to Basketball Newfoundland

from 1950 – 1981. However, they by no means catalogue his total contribution to basketball in 

Newfoundland. Nobody could even list the contributions made by Ed Browne to basketball

because there were endless player camps, officials clinics and organizational meetings that he

held for which there is no record. Ed’s dedication and love for the game has also inspired many

people throughout Newfoundland to become involved in all aspects of his sport.


In the early 1950’s Ed Browne was involved in the administration, playing, coaching and officiating levels of basketball. In 1981, Ed Browne was still involved in the administration, playing, coaching and officiating levels of basketball. This type of involvement was continued uninterrupted throughout the thirty years.


Ed has assisted the National team program by serving as Basketball Canada’s men’s National

team manager and assistant coach. Without question his administrative expertise and industrious management has been a necessary factory in the overall success of the National Men’s team. In this capacity, Ed served the team in Canada, South America, Central America, USA, Russia, England and throughout Europe at events like the 1976 Montreal Olympics, World Student

Games (Universiade) World Championships, Pre-Olympic tournaments and Pan-American

Games.


Son of the Honourable William Browne of St. John’s, Mr. Browne died in 1983. He was

inducted into the Sport Newfoundland and Labrador Hall of Fame on November 3, 1984.

Mr. James (Jim) C. Quick

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1977 as a “Builder”


James (Jim) Chesley Quick played a major role in the establishment of basketball in the province. Jim was the founding (1969) president of the Baie Verte Men’s Basketball League; he was the first men’s coach in Baie Verte and coached in the first men’s basketball tournament held outside of St. John’s. He coached the first team from Baie Verte to win any award in basketball and the first championship team.


In addition to these accomplishments, Jim was instrumental in the development of basketball regionally, in Stephenville and in Corner Brook but of course his biggest contribution to basketball was in Baie Verte.


Along with his coaching and refereeing, Jim was instrumental in organizing the Baie Verte High School Invitational Basketball Tournament. This tournament was the largest and oldest continuing invitational tournament of its kind in Newfoundland.


Jim was born June 26, 1927 in St. John’s. He was the only child of Chesley and Marble Quick. He attended Bishop Field College from kindergarten through to grade eleven. Upon graduating Bishop Field he entered the Newfoundland School of Pharmacy where he graduated in 1948. On June 7, 1950 he married Elizabeth Mary Shea of St. John’s, they had six children.


In November of 1963, Jim Quick took up residence in the town of Baie Verte where he opened Baie Verte Pharmacy. It was on this day that a sport history would begin in that town. Mr. Quick being an avid basketball and soccer player himself was interested in helping the youth of Baie Verte. Upon arrival in the town Mr. Quick’s children were registered at St. Pius X Elementary / High School. He soon discovered that there was no physical education program in the school. He then initiated an intramural program that basically consisted of basketball. His next challenge was to organize a boys’ high school varsity team. Due to work commitments, Jim held practices from 9:00 am – 10:00 am each day. At the first practice he brought a block of wood, showed it to the boys and told them that is was not a basketball, otherwise they would have not know the difference.


Jim continued to work with the senior boys, slowly moulding them into a basketball team. Some short time later, he began a junior boys’ program and followed with a senior girls’ program. The men’s varsity team continually became a force to be reckoned with.


In 1969 Jim took a group of 12 boys to St. John’s to compete in the provincial high school “B” tournament, where they captured the championship. None of these boys had ever been off the Baie Verte Peninsula.


In 1978 he received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for community service. For example if you are using tabs to show different services write about what makes this service unique. If you are using tabs to display restaurant items write about what makes a specific dish particularly worthwhile or delicious.

Mr. Alfred (Alf) M. Connors

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1983 as a “Athlete” 


Alfred Connors played a major role in the development of basketball in Newfoundland, both as a player and as a builder. He was one of the founding members of Basketball

Newfoundland. Alf also contributed with many years of refereeing both at the local and the provincial level.


There was a consensus amongst basketball players and fans of the 1930’s and 1940’s that Alf Connors was certainly one of the best, if not the best, basketball player that Newfoundland

has ever produced. He had a natural talent and well developed skill and dexterity on a basketball court that would certainly have attracted national attention except for the fact that these were the years of the Great Depression. He not only played the game but devoted much of his life to encouraging and developing talent in others and many of the players of more recent years would attribute their acquired skills to the training,

advice and example of Alfred Connors.


While basketball was probably his first love, his prowess in football and baseball were almost

equally outstanding as the record of championships, in which he participated eloquently show. Alf Connors had an outstanding career in basketball, football, baseball, softball and bowling as an athlete and continued as an official, coach and manager in these and other sports when his playing days were over.


As a basketball player, he was captain of the Wanderers that won St. John’s championships

between 1933 and 1939, including five in a row. He was regarded as the first “real star of the

game”. He played at the forward position and was know for his ability to put the ball in the

basket.


He officiated in soccer, basketball and baseball, managed hockey and rowing crews, coached

track and field, baseball, basketball, and softball teams, served as a member of the St. John’s

Regatta Committee, the Newfoundland Hiking Club, was athletic director for the Patricians

Association and president of the St. John’s Junior Basketball League.


Alfred was inducted into the Sport Newfoundland Hall of Fame on October 21, 1986. He died at

the age of 88 on October 15, 2000.

Mr. Frank T. Butler

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1985 as a “Builder”


Frank T. Butler has played a major role in

the development of basketball at the city,

provincial and national level. While still

achieving many plateaus as a player, Frank

became a corner stone as a builder. He has

served as a player, official, coach and

administrator.


As a player Frank was a top scorer noted for

his deft shooting touch and mastery of the

jump shot. He was the first local player to

effectively use the jump shot.


In the mid sixties he helped initiate the development of a provincial officials association.

He was a willing candidate to do any job that was asked of him.


His commitment to the sport extended to the national and international arena where he

served as president of Basketball Canada for two consecutive terms of Office (1976 –

1980). He was also a member of the International Mini Basketball (1972 – 1974

Basketball Canada). 1972 – 74 he was Director of the Canadian Amateur Basketball

Association, and held the position of Vice President from 1974 – 76. 1980 he was

Director of Sport Federation of Canada, and 1978 – 1981 a member of the Canada Games

Society. He was on the 1976 site selection committee for the 1976 Pre-Olympic

tournament for Basketball Canada (Hamilton, Ontario). Chef de Mission for Canada at

the World Junior Pan American Basketball championships (Brazil 1976), and presented

to the Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA) in 1977 the concept of

World Cup Basketball Championships (Munich).


Be it as a teacher, St. John’s League Executive member, past-president of the Association

or as a professor at Memorial University, Frank has touched many students and players in

a positive way.


In 1966, Frank was selected to the MUN Athletic Honor Society. In 1984 St. John's Basketball Assoc. inducted Frank into the Hall of Fame; and he was inducted into the Sport Newfoundland and Labrador Hall of Fame on October 26th, 1996.

During his playing days, Frank enjoyed exceptional success. From 1961 - 1968 Frank played in the Provincial Senior “A” championships where in most tournaments he was chosen an All-Star. From 1964 - 1967, Frank played for his home province at the

Canadian Senior “A” Championships. In 1967 he captained NL at the First Canada Games held in Quebec City; he was in fact the team’s captain.

As a builder, Frank assisted in organizing the St. John's Metro Basketball League. He

served as Secretary/Treasurer and President of NL Amateur Basketball Association before serving as a Director, Vice-President and eventually, President of Basketball Canada.


From 1978 - 1981 Frank was a member of Canada Games Society and also in 1980 was a Director of the Sport Federation of Canada. Frank was Chef de Mission for NL at the 1973 and 1975 Canada Games. During this time, he also acted as an Administrator for the first NL Summer and Winter Games.


Frank's ability as an organizer speaks for itself. Besides serving in leadership roles on

executives, Frank also coached MUN's Varsity Men's Team and helped with the organization of officials. His involvement as a Chairman on the "Green Paper on Recreation" shows his deep desire to improve Sport/Recreation in our Province.

Frank's past and present involvement with sport and recreation has set a high standard to

follow.

Irish Christian Brothers

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1985 as a “Builder”


The Irish Christian Brothers first arrived in Newfoundland on January 20th, 1875, and it

was primary regarded for its role in the field of education.


Organizational work in the mid 1940’s by Brother F. Brennan and Brother Warren led to the establishment of a Grammar School Basketball League in 1946 and the addition of a High School setup in 1947. The original schools involved were St. Bon’s, St. Pat’s, and Holy Cross but, with the addition of new schools, have considerably expanded since that time.


The Irish Christian Brothers did not confine their activities to St. John’s area and had introduced the game of basketball to many other areas of the province, including Harbour Grace, Avondale, Placentia, Grand Falls and Corner Brook.


The training, which many of the brothers have undertaken in the United States, has led to

a good understanding of the game. Their greatest asset, however, is the ability to train and develop young players in the fundamentals of the game. Many of the top players involved in basketball in the province have been associated with the Irish Christian Brothers.

Mr. Albert (Al) D. Haynes

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as a “Builder”


Albert Haynes’ love for the game of basketball began at the age of 11 in grade 6 at Bishop Field.
His playing days went through grammar school, high school and university and in the St. John’s

Senior League. In the mid-sixties as a player / assistant coach his team captured the Atlantic Senior “B” championships in St. John, NB. Throughout the 60’s Al coached many teams at Bishops College and coached the Feildians Junior and Senior teams in the St. John’s League. Al served as an executive member and president of both the St. John’s Basketball Association and the provincial basketball association. Some of Al’s

fondest memories are of representing Newfoundland and Labrador at National

association meetings, and, in fact, meet his wife to be at one of those meetings in Vancouver. In 1978 Al was one of the driving forces in bringing the Canadian Junior Men’s championships to the Capital City. This was a very successful even and was still talked about in 2000. 

Mr. William (Bill) Connolly

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as an “Official”


Bill started as a player, but when asked to referee by Sam Walters ---- as they say “the rest is history”…. And what a history! His fondest moments are being selected to ref at the winter games in Lethbridge, Alberta and a senior “A” championship game between Alberta and Ontario. Bill is a member of the St. John’s Basketball Association Hall of Fame, has received recognition from the “International Association of Approved Basketball Officials”, and has been awarded

the National J. A. “Wink” Wilcox Award of Merit

1987. Bill was credited with bringing back a “feeling of fun and common sense to the

game. (St. John’s Basketball Association Hall of Fame, 1987)”.

Dr. William (Bill) Redden

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as a “Builder”


Bill Redden has been interested in every facet of basketball since he first became involved as a player at 12 years of age. In the province Bill was President of the St. John’s Basketball Officials

Association and founding member and President of NABO. He is presently a member of NABO and has always been interested in improving anything he is involved with. As a Player he has played

at all levels. Junior high, high school, AUAA (UNB) and senior, always enjoying the game and the people he played with. It is as a builder, coach and teacher that Bill’s talents shone. Some of his accomplishments include:

  • Coach 1st provincial championships 1965 – 6
  • Coach 1st women’s championships 1966
  • Coach 1st women’s Canada games team 1966 – 67
  • Coach MUN senior men and women 14 years
  • Director MUN basketball champs 1980 – 85, 1987 – 92
  • Coordinator Stroke basketball program 1984 – 86
  • Coordinator MUN / Holy Heart tournament 1981 – 1985
  • Coach St. John’s 10’s in the late 1980’s
  • Coordinator Nita Chambers (Sutton) tournament
  • Inducted in the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame on October 18, 1997.

Bill lists as the highlights of his career the time he spent developing basketball in the province and the MUN women’s AUAA championships in 1994, which can be said he had a personal involvement.


Dr. William "Bill" Redden, for the past 35 years, has made a significant contribution to the sports of Tennis and Basketball as an Athlete and a Builder. He arrived in St. John's in 1962 from his native Nova Scotia, via Labrador City, where he was a high school physical education teacher.


It is in the game of Basketball, however, where he has excelled. He dedicated the past 30 years to playing, officiating, coaching, and administering. As a result of his playing ability, he was inducted into the St. John's Basketball Hall of Fame. He has coached over 50 teams in Basketball from youth, junior high, high school, university, senior, and

Canada Games. As a result of his dedication to coaching, he was awarded in 1993 the Canada 125th Anniversary Award for Community Service.


Bill is also the founder of the St. John's and Newfoundland Basketball Officials Association. He was instrumental in the development of the high quality basketball officials we have today. For his contribution to officiating in Newfoundland, Bill was awarded the Wink Wilcox Award in 1990, presented by the Canadian Association of

Basketball Officials. 


He was Director of the School of Physical Education and Athletics at Memorial University from 1994-1997, and as such, guided the development of the Professional Preparation and Service Program of the University. 

Mr. Chris Griffin

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as a “Builder”


Chris Griffin was introduced to basketball at St. Mike’s high school in Grand Falls and continued to play at Memorial University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Physical Education. Chris coached at the high school, the college and the Canada Games level. Mr. Griffin is a past President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Basketball

Association (NLBA) and had been involved in the

administration of basketball in the province and nationally and internationally. Chris’s love for the game sent him to Montreal as a marshal during the 1976 Olympics and to Africa to help develop the game over there. The greatest joy Chris got from basketball was watching people grow from their involvement in the sport. Many players have

benefited from Chris’s knowledge, leadership, and sense of fair play. 

Mrs. Christine (Whelan) Mills

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as an “Athlete”


Christine began playing basketball in grammar school, but excelled through out her time as a PWC Collegian on both the Junior and Senior teams. She played with the highly touted MUN Ladies team, which toured Nova Scotia in 1957, and considered the tour as one of her fondest memories, especially being met at St. John’s airport on their return by family, friends, student body and the President of the University, Dr. R. Gushue being led to St. John’s City Hall in a huge motorcade to be meet by the Mayor H. G. R. Mews and presented with roses. Christine continued to play for three years at McGill University, where she “lettered” at basketball and other sports, a forward … she was a many time recipient of high scoring and MVP awards. Her competition was against Spencer and Mercy Colleges and the strangest rule of her time was the Guards were not allowed to cross the center line.

Mr. Douglas (Doug) Eaton

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as a “Builder”


Doug Eaton had been involved in basketball since 1935, when he laced up the sneakers as captain of

the Wildcats, made up of grade 5 students of St. Bon’s. He has been involved in many areas of the

game ever since. He played intercollegiate for St. Bon’s and also competed in many city championships. When he returned from Toronto with his Physical Education degree, he was

considered a “Professional” and was not allowed to play. Thus started his coaching career, in which he was very successful. He lists as one of his

fondest moments as the famous tour of Nova Scotia were he coached the MUN Ladies to

four victories… This was at a time when this type of travel was unheard of… 


For some of the strangest rules in his day of the sport, Mr. Eaton list the following: shape of the key; ball was not allowed to be held (crossovers, behind the back); coaching – if a coach yelled at a player it would be a technical foul. They were not allowed to coach from the bench. 


Mr. Eaton said that over the years the only rule not to change was the height of the basket.

Mr. Edward (Ed) Manning

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as an “Athlete”


Ed Manning was one of St. John’s top athletes in the 1950’s, excelling not only in basketball but in hockey, baseball, soccer, track and field, and golf. “Steady Eddy” was the main reason that the “Blue and Gold” won so many championships during his time playing. A continual top scorer and MVP, Ed was one of the finest and versatile players of his day. Contemporaries of Ed Manning will all too readily acknowledge that in the realm of local sport he was a natural, with the innate

ability to excel at any sport in which he elected to

participate.


Ed Manning’s career started while he was a student at St. Bon’s College in St. John’s. Between 1947 and 1950 he was a member of four intercollegiate hockey championship teams, four intercollegiate

soccer championship teams, and three intercollegiate basketball championship teams, and won the senior Victor Ludorum in the annual St. Bon’s Sports. 


Mr. Manning’s career in senior soccer really started in 1951. He was a member of six St. Bon’s Boyle Trophy winning hockey teams, two St. John’s senior basketball championship teams and four St. John’s senior baseball championship teams, and was one of the better soccer players at the Ayre Athletic Grounds.


He played on four St. John’s provincial senior baseball championship teams and on two

occasions was runner-up for St. John’s Athlete of the Year. Mr. Manning made outstanding contributions to every team of which he was a member, always among the highest scorers in basketball, the best hitters and best fielders in baseball, the top playmakers and scorers in hockey, and one of the most effective and successful players in soccer.

Mr. Edward (Ed) Murphy (AKA “Floss”)

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as a “Builder”


Edward Murphy had his first introduction to basketball when he was a student at Holy Cross School in St. John's. Under the guidance of Coach Brother Cassidy, Ed's Holy Cross team won the Provincial High School Basketball Championship

defeating the powerful American team from Goose Bay. During that tournament Ed was named to the

First All-Star Team.


While a student at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Ed played on the Senior Varsity team for five years. At MUN, Ed was greatly influenced by coaches Ed Browne and Bill Redden. The highlight of his playing career came in his last game for MUN when the Senior Varsity Team beat

the Argentia Seals to win the Provincial Senior Championship. This was the first time

that a MUN team had beaten the powerful Argentia team in the Provincial Championships.


In 1967, Ed was selected to the basketball team that represented the province at the first Canada Winter Games in Quebec City. While a student at MUN, Ed began his coaching career as coach of the Reddy Kilowatts team in the St. John's Ladies League. In 1971 he coached the provincial ladies team that participated at the Canada Winter Games in Saskatoon. 


Following graduation from Memorial University, Ed founded and was playing coach of the powerful City Furniture Basketball Team which dominated provincial basketball during the 1970's, winning numerous city and provincial championships.


In 1975 and 1976, while working as a Chartered Accountant in Marystown, Ed and a group of basketball enthusiasts formed the Marystown Basketball League. The Marystown All-Stars won the Provincial "C" and "B" titles and then challenged for the "A" Championship title.


Throughout the 1970's and 1980's Ed coached many provincial men's teams which represented the Province at national championships. However, some of Ed's most enjoyable times were those spent coaching his sons, Joey and Jeff, at MacDonald Drive Junior High and Booth Memorial High School. 


Ed's career in the administration of basketball started in the early 1970's when he became

President of the St John's Basketball League. In the mid-seventies Ed became involved with the provincial association where he held several positions before becoming President in the late seventies. In the mid eighties, Ed became involved in Basketball Canada where he held several positions before becoming its President in 1990. The highlight of his career at the national level was heading Basketball Canada's Bid Team to

Munich, Germany where Canada was awarded the 1994 World Championships for Toronto.


Under Ed's leadership in 1980, Basketball Newfoundland and Labrador established a

provincial Basketball Sports Hall of Fame and in 1983 Ed was selected as Sport Newfoundland and Labrador's Executive of the Year. In June 1993, Ed was one of ten Newfoundland and Labrador sport volunteers honoured when he received a

Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada in recognition of his outstanding work for sport. Ed is a member of the St. John's Basketball League's Hall of Fame Ed was inducted into the Sport Newfoundland and Labrador Hall of Fame on November 2, 2002.

Mr. Frank King

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as an “Official”


Frank’s interest in basketball was sparked as a student at Holy Cross. He was never big enough or skilled enough to play for the school teams but remembers going to the old gym above the bowling alleys and helping shake the basket on the stage end. He played pickup and intramural ball in high school and later at St. Dunstan’s College (now UPEI). When he started teaching at Holy

Cross he began refereeing. While teaching in

Labrador City he was encouraged to do more refereeing by Bill Redden.


The highlight of his career was being selected to ref at the Women’s Intercollegiate Championship at Guelph in 1977, the first time a Newfoundland official did a National championship game.

Mrs. Gail (Moore) Roberts

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as a “Builder”


Gail Roberts has contributed to basketball from the first time she dribbled a ball, in 1963 at Prince of Wales Collegiate at the age of 13. In those days they were only allowed to dribble the ball three

times before they had to pass and instead of a toss up to start the game there were a coin toss at center court. Gail was an MVP in high school and played on the Senior Women’s team at MUN, where she also played volleyball. In the 1970’s Gail coached Holy Heart to 8 city high school championships and 7 provincial championships, which wasn’t easy with competition from Bishops, PWC, Laval, and Stella Maris. Holy Heart was the first school to have fiber glass backboards, which fell down after only being up for 1 ½ years.

Her contributions also included being treasurer of the NLBA; being the official’s chairman of the St. John’s Men’s League in 1969 – 70, and was chair of the Women’s Athletic society. Her fondest memories are of playing in the Canada Games under Coach Ed Murphy; the winning teams at Holy Heart, and all of the people she has meet through

basketball. Gail has been positive influences to all who have meet her in the sport.

Mr. Gordon Breen

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as a “Builder”


Gordon Breen was the co-founder of the St. John’s Metro Basketball League. Along with Robin Short,

they started the league in 1970 so that the guys in the “Gentlemen’s age group” could get a game of

ball. A draft system kept teams recreational and competitive. With his right hand man, Graham

Goobie, for 20 years Gordon was convener, time keeper, floor sweeper, referee, finance man, director and extra man for any team that needed a body. He did it all!!! The highlights of his time with the Metro League are of all the friends he had made and knowing that he helped provide an avenue for men to share the camaraderie of

belonging to and participating in a great basketball league. Gordon Breen was inducted into the Sport Newfoundland and Labrador Hall of Fame (November 2, 1985), the St. John’s Amateur Baseball Association Hall of Fame, is one of VOCM’s great names in sport, and had received The Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister of Canada for his contribution to Sport (November 11, 1987). Gordon’s fondest memory of the Metro

Basketball League was the establishment of the Margaret Breen Memorial Tournament by the Players of the League in appreciation to his late wife for all the time he spent at basketball.

Mr. Jack Walsh

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as an “Athlete”


Jack began his basketball career at St. Bonaventure’s College under the guidance of Brother Rhone, who had received a semi-pro contract offer before he entered the Brotherhood.

Jack was a member of the famous St. Bon’s team that won the city championship seven years in a row in the late 60’s and early 70’s. He played in the first game ever played at the Memorial Stadium, on the concrete floor… they slipped allover the place. There was great competition in basketball in those

days… Teams for St. Bon’s, St. Pat’s, Holy Cross, Guards and Fieldians. Jack recalls St. Bon’s winning… Big Jack, as he was called, comes by his name honestly, the story is told of the time when Jack arrived home late one evening with 5 of this team mates in tow from a big game in Argentia… Jack’s mother feed the guys with the food she had set aside for Jack’s supper. 


Jack says that the highlight of his career is the people he meet and the life long friendships he established through basketball. 

Mr. John (Johnny) Seay

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as a “Builder"


Johnny first came to Newfoundland, in particular, Argentia, via the US Navy in 1963. He became athletic director at the base in 1969 and held

that position until the base closed October 1, 1994. Johnny coached teams all through the 1970’s and into the 1980’s; during research for the 1999 Hall of Fame one person told it like this… “We had lots of

competition in St. John’s, but we learned how to play from the Americans”. Going to Argentia was

always a special treat for basketball players, besides the fantastic hospitality, the basketball was great. While they hosted many a tournament, Johnny wasn’t shy about bringing his teams anywhere in the province. He has always contributed to basketball in the province and in the 1980’s he was Eastern Vice President for the NLBA. He lists the many friendships he has made over the years as his fondest memories.

Mrs. Linda (Winter) Barrett

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as an “Athlete”


Linda began her basketball career at Bishop Spencer College at 14 years of age, where she was captain of her team and its highest scorer. She

continued to play basketball while attending Memorial University from 1955 – 1959. After graduation she played in the city league. During

her playing days at MUN, Linda came into her own. The MUN Ladies were the first Newfoundland Ladies team to travel abroad to compete in a basketball series. In a tour of Nova Scotia, these young Newfoundland women faced four experienced Nova Scotia teams and won all four

games. The press of the day said that Linda was at “her sensational best” scoring 79 points in the four games, which was almost half of the MUN total. In the Canadian Press report she was described as “one of the most colourful lady athletes to perform in the Maritimes in the past decade”. Linda lists this experience as her fondest memories of the playing days. Locally they played their games at the old Memorial University on Parade Street. There were 4 or 5 teams in the league and her competition came from players like Christine Whelan and Carolyn Pike.

Mr. Raymond (Ray) Hawco

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 1999 as a “Athlete”


Ray began playing basketball at 12 years of age, with the “Argentia Scout Team” in 1948 and continues to play today (2010). He played with teams such as St. Bon’s, Grand Falls, Lewisport, with the RCMP in St. John’s, the University of Alberta, and since 1979 he has played in the St. John’s Metro League. He lists his highest level of competition as a player for the University of Ottawa. His fondest memories are of his playing

days in Lewisport and St. Mary’s.


Ray is a gentleman and a competitor in everything he does, so it is no surprise that he has won many MVP and All Star awards. Ray has given back to the game by coaching in different communities he has lived and continues to give back as an inspiration to all the players around him…. Ray remembers being wood to the games at CC Armory for heat

and paying $7.20 for a pair of sneakers, and not being able to tell his parents how much he paid. These sneakers did him two seasons.

Mr. Dave Barrett

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2001 as an “Athlete”


Dave Barrett had size, speed, agility and great anticipation. He combined those ingredients to become one of the most versatile athletes St. John’s ever produced. He has been proudly added

to our Hall of Fame list as an outstanding athlete.


Dave played his basketball for the Blue and Golds of St. Bon’s while in school and later in the city league. Scoring championships and most

valuable player awards came easy for the six-foot two inch athlete who carried 185 lbs over a muscular frame. While he played for St. Bon’s all throughout school, he would lead his team to countless victories as he had 35 point games and averaged 29 – 30 points per game season. The

Media of the day said things like the team’s best ball handler and dangerous scorer… The Daily News called him Mr. Basketball….. Dave was inducted into the St. John’s hall of Fame in 1984. To this day, everyone knows Dave Barrett as one of the most promising athletes St. Bon’s and Newfoundland had every seen. 

Mr. Martin Cull

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2001 as a “Builder”


The amount of hours Martin Cull has spent at Basketball can not be calculated very easily. He has coached in access of 65 teams. A proven Communicator and Motivator, Martin has worked with very good teams and made them better and he has built champions from the ground up. He is well respected because of his dedication to his players and because of the respect he shows them. An inspiration to many… part of Martin’s success lies in the number of people he has coached whom

today continue to play or coach here in the province.


One of the most respected coaches in the province during the past four decades, Martin Cull has always had the ability to bring out the best in the athletes fortunate enough to have played on one of his teams. In the province he has coached teams in St. John’s from school such as St. Bon’s, St. Pius X, Brother Rice and Gonzaga, in Placentia he coached

at Laval, in Corner Brook he coached at Regina, plus he has coached teams at the provincial level and in the Senior Men’s Division 1 and Ladies Leagues, and is currently assistant coach with the MUN Men’s Sea~Hawks basketball team. His coaching stats are unbelieveable.

Mr. Randy Ball

Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2001 as an “Official”


Randy has been an active official for the past 40 years, having started his officiating career in 1970 under the newly established IAABO Board 117. Randy has been a nationally certified official for in excess of 25 years, having extraordinary success as a basketball official at all levels, the provincial, national and international – collegiate scenes.


He knows the game of basketball very well and is a very fair, responsible and trusted referee. Randy has officiated more than 100 provincial championships and worked the gold medal game in a significant number of these over the years. At the National level Randy has officiated at 12 national events; twice he was assigned gold medal games at a national event. But not only is he an

official, he has also been the college commissioner for both Men’s and Women’s basketball for over 7 years and assigns and evaluates all games at Memorial University. He also spent over 5 years assigning as an Assignor / Evaluator for National Tournaments sponsored by Canada Basketball. As a member of the Canadian Association of Basketball Officials, Randy was NL representative on the National Council for over 8 years….


Randy is well respected in the Basketball Community, being highly thought of by Players, Coaches and fellow Officials.

Mr. Robin Short Sr.


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2001 as a “Builder”


Dating back to the 1950’s, Robin Short has had a long association with basketball whether it was as a player or as a coach. While his records as a player

would be enough to name him as a Hall of Famer, he is recognized especially for his commitment and poise as a coach. Robin has coached basketball from the late 1950’s and his influence on the

basketball stage is second to none. In 1987 – 88, the Government of Canada recognized Robin’s leadership abilities when he was appointed to the Coaching Council of Canada. By the early 70’s,


Robin and long time friend, Gordon Breen, formed the St. John’s Metro League, which today is one of the oldest leagues in the province. They created the league after determining that there was not a place for the “mature” players in St. John’s to have a game of basketball. In the early years it was definitely their league… it would be nothing for one of them, if they saw some unruly behavior on the court, to walk on the floor in the middle of the game and ask a fellow to leave, there wasn’t any room for that kind of play in the Metro League… Robin’s organizational skills and his large sense of fair play is a legacy in the Metro League even today…. It is still a great place guys of plus years and sizes to “Get a play game of ball”.

Mr. Charles (Charlie) Barker


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2003 as a “Builder”


Charles Barker is another Icon of basketball on the west coast of the province. With 31 years of coaching experience under Charles Barker’s belt, he is truly one of the most valued coaches the west coast has to offer. He has coached both girls’ and boys’ high school teams for 20 years at Xavier High school and 11 years at Elwood High school in Deer Lake. Mr. Barker insures that his teams are competitive in all levels of basketball, whether it was here in the Province or on the Mainland. Competing in 3 – 6 tournaments a year along with league and exhibition games, players under Charlie got to play basketball. He took his team wherever he could get good competition. Charles Barker has been dedicated to the development of his teams and that is why he has been so successful in the past 31 years.


Charlie’s record is excellent. He coached both girls and boys’ teams … and was successful with both groups.


Some of his highlights are:

  • 1986 Silver medal NL Winter Games
  • 1992 Gold medal NL Winter Games
  • In 3A competition Charlie’s teams have won numerous championships.
  • He has coached on the local, provincial and international levels.
  • Assistant coach, boys’ Eastern Canadians Midget team 1992
  • Assistant coach, boys’ Eastern Canadians Midget team 1993
  • Head Coach Girls Eastern Canadian Midget team 1994
  • Head Coach of the Western NL Basketball Team at the International Children’s Games in Hamilton, Ontario 2000.

Mr. James (Jim) Feltham


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2003 as a “Builder”


James Feltham has been coaching for over 40 years. He is one of the pillars of basketball and has made a great impact on the west coast basketball community by coaching the Elwood Lakers of Deer Lake from 1972-1999. Not shy to enter a tournament, Jim’s teams played 35 – 40 games a year and traveled to all parts of the Island and the Mainland for different Tournaments. Under Jim’s leadership the Laker Men have reached the Provincial Championship Tournaments 22 times, 6 times in 3A and 16 times in 4A. Winning 2 Gold medals in 3A and 1 Silver medal. With the Laker Women, which he coached for 6 years they advanced to the Provincial Championship each year winning 2 silver medals. In 1991 Jim was the head coach for the Newfoundland and Labrador

Team to the Boys’ Eastern Canadians Midget Championships in St. John, NB. In which

they captured the Bronze medal. In 1993, Assistant coach at the Girls’ Eastern Canadian Midget Championship in Charlottetown, PEI and won the Bronze medal. 


James Feltham has been honored by many coaching awards; some of which are:

  • Honor Award runner up for outstanding service to school athletics.
  • Certificate of Recognition. For dedicated services and contribution to the aim and objectives of the NFLHSAF.
  • Coaching service award. Dedication and example exemplifies the true values of school sport
  • Honour Award, Provincial winner.
  • Achievement Award. Outstanding contribution to Coaching and development of basketball
  • NLBA Achievement Award

Mr. Wayne (Peter) Abbott


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2003 as an “Official”


Throughout his lifetime Wayne Abbott has been involved with basketball in one form or another for as long as he can remember, and throughout the years, he has made an outstanding contribution to the game in many different capacities. Whether in his role as a player, coach, official, clinician, or executive member of NABO, Wayne always put his heart and soul completely into the game and always made a sincere and genuine contribution to the game he loved. Wayne Abbott has been a very well known and respected official for over 30 years. He has refereed every level of basketball, local, provincial, national and even AUAA. As an Official, Wayne Abbott immediately became known and respected in basketball circles as an honest, fair and dedicated official who had an uncanny “feel” for the game; especially as it applied to the principles of “advantage” / “disadvantage”. There is no doubt he is a players official and they know and understand that he has a special instinct for the game that not all players really acquire. Wayne has also contributed to the growth of basketball by being an executive member of the Referees Association. He has helped teach new referees the finer skills required to be a good official and has assisted coaches explain rules to players so they better understand the game. Even today, Mr. Abbott continues to referee and enjoy the game of basketball. 

Mr. Ronald (Ron) Tobin


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2003 as an “Athlete”


Ronald Tobin has been one of the most dedicated basketball players of his time. From Elementary school, junior High School, High school, University to Senior League, he has been playing all along. With his quickness and skill, Tobin has been labeled as one to the most elite players ever to come out of Newfoundland. He was the first Newfoundlander to be invited to a National Team tryout with Canada’s Sr. Men’s Team (Winnipeg – 1973) in preparation for the Montreal Olympics and was the First Memorial University Basketball player to win the Richard Perry Memorial Award for Athlete of the Year at Memorial University (1973-74). Ronald Tobin has made our province proud on both the provincial and national level. Voted to be the # 1 basketball player ever produced in the province, Ronald Tobin’s list of accomplishments is unsurpassed. A star in Elementary School, High School, University and the Senior League, Mr. Tobin skills, abilities and dedication to the game have always been “away and above” all others. 


His accomplishments read:

  • MVP Irish Christian Brother League, St. Pat’s (1965)
  • High School Athlete of the Year Brother Rice (1968 – 69) Bronze Medal
  • M.V.P. and 1st team all-star at the Eastern Canadian Jr. Men’s basketball championships (St. John’s 1972)
  • Attended two Eastern Canadian National Team Tryout camps.
  • Outstanding College Athlete of America Award, saluting most distinguished athletes 1972.
  • First Newfoundlander to be invited to a National Team tryout with Canada Senior
  • Men’s Team (Winnipeg – 1973) in preparation for the Montreal Olympics.
  • First Newfoundlander to win the MVP award in a National basketball tournament (Victoria, BC, 1973)
  • First Memorial University Basketball player to win the Richard Perry Memorial Award for Athlete of the Year at Memorial University (1973 – 74)
  • Athletic Honour Society Award Memorial University (1974)
  • Captain of the first Memorial University Basketball Team to play and WIN an AUAA basketball game
  • Captain of the first MUN basketball team to participate in the final four AUAA playoffs (Wolfville, NS 1974).
  • Provincial Basketball coach for the Canadian National Games for the Physically Disabled (Ontario 1976, St. John’s 1977, Alberta 1978)
  • Winner of St. John’s first division championship and All Newfoundland first division championship (1999 – 2000) all star. 
  • Winner of approximately 23 local, provincial and national qualifying championships.
  • Played over 25 successful years at the first division level in the St. John’s Basketball League

Mr. Charles (Charlie) M. Ennis


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2005 as an “Athlete”


Hall of Fame Athletes: competitor or participant in basketball recognized by the Newfoundland Basketball Association. Charles Ennis was just that, with his outstanding and plentiful basketball career, Mr. Ennis, has proved that he is a true hall-of-famer. He has participated in many champion ships, tournaments, and leagues, weather it was locally, regionally, or provincially. No matter the level of competition, Charles Ennis has made his mark due to his competitive and compassionate nature. 


Provincial Competition 

1972 – 2004 – Member of various provincial teams

representing Baie Verte at various levels.

1977 – Newfoundland Intermediate Champs – Baie Verte

1975 – Newfoundland Senior “C” Champs – Baie Verte

1975 – Newfoundland Intermediate Champs – Baie Verte

1967 – 1970 Member of various provincial teams

representing Baie Verte

1966 – Member of Corner Brook’s All Star Team entry in Provincial Men’s Play


Regional Competition

1971 – Lewisporte Invitational Basketball Champs – Carbonear

1971 – 1972 – Member of Carbonear basketball team

1970 – Stephenville Invitational Champs – Baie Verte Local Competition

1971 – 2003 – Member of several champion teams in the Baie Verte League

1972 – 2003 – Member of various teams in Baie Verte

1966 – Corner Brook senior basketball champs – Combines

1964 – Intermediate city champs – Holy Cross

1963 – Intermediate city champs – Holy Cross

1962 – St. John’s senior champs – Holy Cross

1962 – 1964 – Member of Holy Cross junior and senior basketball teams

1961 – Senior city champs – MUN

1961 – Intermediate city champs – MUN

1961 – Member of MUN junior and senior basketball teams

1960 – High school city champs – Holy Cross

1959 – High school city champs – Holy Cross

1957 – 1960 – Member of Holy Cross senior high

school team (Never played junior high school)

1957 – St. John’s Senior Grammar School champs – Holy Cross

1954 – 1957 – Member of Grammar School team – Holy Cross

1954 – Started playing organized basketball. Christian Brothers Junior Grammar School

league with Holy Cross.


Other

- Founding member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Amateur Basketball

Association (NLABA).

- Served as an Executive member of the NLABA in a number of capacities (Director, Secretary, and Vice President).

- Founded the Central Newfoundland Basketball league (Operated one year late 1960’s).

- Co-founded with Ed Brown the West Coast Basketball League (Operated about three years in early 1970’s).

- Played on the first Corner Brook Basketball team to compete in provincial competition (1966).

- Played on the first Baie Verte basketball team to compete in provincial competition (1968).

- Played with Baie Verte in the First Provincial Master’s Tournament held in Corner Brook.

- President of the Baie Verte Basketball Association.

- A founding organizing member of the Baie Verte Boys Invitational Basketball Tournament.

- Chairman of the 25th Anniversary Committee for the Baie Verte Boys’ Invitational Basketball Tournament. 

- Coached boys’ and girls’ basketball teams at St. Pius and Beothuk Collegiate.

- Coached boys’ basketball team at James Moore High School at Carbonear.

- Coached boys’ basketball team at Cape John Collegiate at La Scie.

- Coached Baie Verte girls’ basketball entry in Newfoundland Summer Games.

- Was rated as a Provincial Level “B” referee.

- Was named MVP at two Provincial tournaments.

- Was named to the All Star team at a number of Provincial tournaments.

- Competed at a provincial level in six decades (1954 – 2004). 

Mr. Joseph (Joe) Wadden


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2005 as a “Builder”


From player to coach, from grammar school to national competition, Joe Wadden has excelled within the Newfoundland and Labrador basketball community, putting together a remarkable 43-year career that clearly demonstrates a very large amount of personal and team successes. Gifted with exceptional eye-arm coordination, he was a slick ball handling guard who possessed hard, accurate passing ability, deadly outside shooting prowess and a deep understanding of basketball that served him equally well as a player and as a coach.


Joe Wadden understood the game of basketball and played it with a cool determination that was of great value to any team of which he was a member. In addition, he provided excellent leadership, a quality that served him and his teammates very well. He was a very valuable asset to any team he coached or of which he was a member. He earned a berth on his first basketball team in 1961, with a Holy Cross squad that won the Christian Brothers Grammar School title. It was the start of an extremely impressive basketball run.


Through 1962 to 1966, Joe Wadden was a starting guard with Holy Cross junior and senior high school teams, winning a pair of St. John’s championships and a pair of provincial championships. His first personal scoring title came in 1965 in St. John’s high school competition. His superb time with the Memorial University Male Varsity team ran from 1966 to 1972. It included provincial junior titles in 1967 and ’69, provincial senior titles in 1966, ’70, ’71 and ’72 and St. John’s championships in 1966 and 1967. And he earned two Most Valuable Player selections. When Memorial won the 1966-67 small college championships in Truro, Nova Scotia, he was voted to the tournament’s first all-star team. His play for MUN earned him membership in the University Athletic Society and selection to the American College Athlete Hall of Fame. During 1967-68 and ’68-69, Joe Wadden played with Holy Cross in St. John’s senior competition with a title in ’68, the same season he won the League scoring crown. It was with Holy Cross that he won the Eastern Canadian championship, defeating an Ontario entry in the final game.


His career continued with exceptional play as a member of Holy Cross in the St. John’s “A” Basketball League until 1980 when a tear in his Achilles tendon ended his 20-year playing career. And while his playing career ranks with the finest within Newfoundland and Labrador basketball, for 30 years he has been extremely valuable as a coach. His expertise, supported by a great communications talent and a willingness to devote countless hours and boundless energy regardless of his personal sacrifices, has played a major role in a very, very large number of young boys and girls becoming better basketballers because of Joe Wadden. 


His basketball-coaching career started in 1972 when he moved to Trepassey, teaching at

Stella Maris High School and playing a major leadership role in the excellent basketball program

that generated exceptional players and great teams. 


In 1973 the Stella Maris boys’ team was the first outside of St. John’s and Corner Brook to win the provincial top 4A championship. Joe Wadden was the team’s coach. 


From 1974 to 1976, he coached the Memorial University female varsity team that won the St. John’s title in back-to-back seasons. In 1975, he led the Memorial girls to the Atlantic “B” University title in a championship tournament held in Moncton, New Brunswick. The provincial all-star team he coached at the 1975 Canada Winter Games in Lethbridge, Alberta recorded the very first Winter Games victory for Newfoundland and Labrador. The College of the North Atlantic male team benefited from his coaching for two seasons during the 1980’s. 


His coaching at St. Kevin’s School in the Goulds has played a major factor in the respect this rather small school has earned for always being competitive and entering a very large number of top leagues and tournaments. Joe Wadden has been coaching at St. Kevin’s since 1975 and

continued through to 2004. 


His coaching other teams also continues unabated. During the 2004-05 season he was coach for Holy Cross in St. John’s Men’s Division 1 and for O’Donel High senior girls team. Joe Wadden enjoyed a great playing career and has been among the top individuals who have put something back into the sport. His coaching has covered hundreds and hundreds of players who are simply better basketball players because of his expertise and interest. 


He has coached as many as six teams in one season and the teams have come from elementary, junior high and senior high schools, male and female, from local squads to provincial all-stars. 


Joe Wadden has been of great credit to the Newfoundland and Labrador basketball community since 1961, as a player and as a coach.

Ms. Karen Y. Baggs


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2005 as an “Athlete”


Karen Baggs enjoyed a versatile and extremely successful basketball career that established her as one of the top “natural” female basketballers ever produced within Newfoundland and Labrador.


Owner of great reflexes, quickness and speed, an

ability to grasp the vitally important aspects of high level competition and a keen desire to succeed in whichever sport she was playing, Karen Baggs competed with and against a large number of the best female basketballers within Canada and certainly within Newfoundland and Labrador. 


Her basketball career started while she was

attending Morris Academy and continued as she attended Mount Pearl Central High. She was voted “female athlete of the year” at Central High three times as she played important leadership roles as a member of the school’s basketball team.


Basketball was her best sport despite the fact she

also competed very successfully in soccer, softball,

volleyball, field hockey and ice hockey. She was outstanding during all stages of school basketball and moved directly into a varsity role at Memorial University for five years, three as captain. She was a perennial all-star at all levels of competition, including the AUAA Conference, and was named most valuable player at least six times. Her outstanding status as a Memorial University basketball player gained her the Ed Browne Memorial Trophy in 1984. 


She played for the team that represented Newfoundland and Labrador at the 1979 Canada Winter Games in Brandon, Manitoba. Her talent was of such a high level that she had a tryout for Canada’s national junior female team. At one stage of her career she played in a senior men’s league on the Northern Peninsula and her expertise was such that she coached men’s teams on several occasions at the local and provincial levels. She continued her basketball career while teaching in the Northwest Territories and in New Brunswick.


She was selected as 1981 Mount Pearl female athlete of the year, was twice a finalist for the St. John’s Female Athlete of the Year honors and is a member of the Memorial University Athletic Honors Society. She was inducted into the Mount Pearl Sports Hall of Fame in the athlete category in 2002. Karen Baggs earned an impressive number of individual basketball awards at all stages of competition. While she excelled individually, she was an exceptional team player who worked well with others while providing the essential leadership that superstars of her caliber always demonstrate. 


An individual of high moral standards, she is an exceptional role model for others and played an important role in the era that had female athletes and athletics move into the rightful place they deserve within the general community. 


In every aspect of her athletic career, Karen Baggs has been a credit to her sports, to her community, to her province, to her family and especially to herself. It an honor to nominate Karen Baggs for election to the Newfoundland and Labrador Basketball Hall of Fame. 


Karen Baggs’ basketball career includes:

* Between 1972 and 1975 – Member Morris Academy junior high champions; member of Morris Academy Nova Scotia Tournament champions

* 1976 – Most Valuable Player for Mount Pearl Central team 

* 1978 – Most Valuable Player for Mount Pearl Central team

* 1979 – Most Valuable Player for Mount Pearl Central team; member of Newfoundland and Labrador team at Canada Winter Games in Brandon, member of Terra Novas St. John’s League champions, member of Terra Novas provincial champions and named to all-stars, member of Terra Novas provincial qualifying champions and named to all-stars, attended senior national championships in Edmonton 

* 1980 – Member of Memorial University Varsity team, named all-star for AUAA Conference, named to all-star team at provincial championships

* 1981 – Captain of Memorial University Varsity team, named all-star for AUAA Conference, named to all-star team at provincial championships, invited and attended national tryout camp in Ottawa

* 1982 – Member of Memorial University Varsity team, Most Valuable Player at

provincial championships

* 1983 – Captain of Memorial University Varsity team, named all-star for AUAA Conference, named all-star at Memorial Invitational Tournament, named all-star and Most Valuable Player at Trepassey Invitational Tournament 

* 1984 – Captain of Memorial University Varsity team, named all-star for AUAA Conference, named all-star at Memorial Invitational Tournament, named all-star at Calotte Invitational Tournament, won Ed Browne Memorial Trophy as outstanding basketball player for Memorial University * 1985 – Member of Sportsbeat team that won St. John’s championship, named  Most Valuable Player for
regular season, Most Valuable Player for playoffs, named allstar; member of provincial champions. Named provincial Most Valuable Player and allstar

* 1985 to present – Coached and played in a male league at Plum Point, coached male team at provincial championships; played and coached in Northwest Terittories and coached in New Brunswick while teaching in both.

Mr. William (Bill) R. Brophy


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2005 as a “Builder”.


William Brophy has been a flawless basketball builder for over 30 years. He has put his heart and soul into the development and growth of the new and up-coming dedicated basketball players. He is a credit to the sport and perhaps the best ambassador we have today for our game.


William’s career includes:

  • 1967 – 1971 – Manager MUN varsity team under Ed Browne, Coach.
  • Mid 1970’s – Part of formation team of Ed Brown
  • Western College Basketball camps (first three years).
  • 1971 – Awarded MUN: Athletic Honour Society for Service to MUN Sport.
  • 1976 – 1979 – Coached every team in Trepassey (male and female), junior high, high school and expupil. Won several provincial banners at all levels (except ex-pupil ladies).
  • 1979 – Coach, ladies winter games team, Brandon, Manitoba. Won provincial U17 Division II championships.
  • 1979 – 1980 – Coach, ladies provincial team, Edmonton Alberta.
  • 1979 – 2001 – Coach at Holy Spirit High School. While at Holy Spirit brought team to provincials nearly every year.
  • 1980 – Coached provincial winter games. Won provincial championships and represented province in Nationals in Edmonton. (Defeated MUN in final.) Coached several men’s teams and participated in provincial competitions – Maxwell’s, Big Ben’s, Falcon Ex-pupils.
  • 1981 – Coach, Holy Spirit Falcons; won right to represent the province in Eastern Canadians U18 championships (won Booth tournament). Held in Halifax, NS. Won provincial high school “B” or “AA” boys – at first and only provincial Hoopla.
  • 1992? – Won High School Federation distinguished service award.
  • 1998 – Lost in finals to Fatima Provincial U16.
  • 1998 – 2000 – Founder and director of annual “Falcons Basketball Camps” for boys and girls grades seven to Level II.
  • 2002 – Awarded “Honorary Falcon” award – Holy Spirit for contribution to Holy Spirit school sports.
  • 2003 – Awarded Basketball Newfoundland distinguished service award.
  • 2004 – Awarded Coaching Service Award by School Sports Newfoundland and Labrador for dedication, example years of service, which best reflects the philosophy of school sport.

Mr. Cyril (Cy) J. Simmons


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2007 as a “Builder”


There was very little basketball in Conception Bay North before Cyril Simmons accepted a teaching position in Carbonear. Over the years, he continually used hard work, dedication, and skill to build interest in the sport. Almost all of the individuals now associated with basketball in the

area willingly attribute their knowledge and skills to Cy Simmons. At any basketball tournament hosted locally, almost all of the coaches, referees, or players have gone through his tutelage. Through his building of a basketball program, he raised the level of competition among all other local schools / clubs. Cy is also well known for his dedication to players who were in need of some financial assistance in order to continue playing the game of basketball. 


Some of the highlights of Cy’s coaching career so far have been:

  • 2007 East Coast Intermediate Boys’ “B” – Silver Medal
  • 2007 East Coast Bantam Boys’ “B” – Gold Medal
  • 2006 East Coast Bantam Boys’ “B” – Silver Medal
  • 1997 Gold Medal – 3A Boys’ High School Provincials
  • 1996 Juvenile All – Newfoundland East Coast Basketball Champions
  • 1996 Gold Medal – 3A Boys’ High School Provincials
  • 1995 Silver Medal – 3A Boys’ High School Provincials
  • 1995 Juvenile All – Newfoundland East Coast Basketball Champions
  • 1994 Juvenile All – Newfoundland East Coast Basketball Champions
  • 1994 Silver Medal Winter Games Basketball Champions
  • 1994 – 95 “Coach of the Year” by Newfoundland and Labrador High School Athletic Foundation.
  • 1994 – 95 “Coaching Service Award” by Newfoundland and Labrador High School Athletic Foundation.
  • 1994 – 95 “Honour Award” by Newfoundland and Labrador High School Athletic Foundation.
  • 1993 Midget All – Newfoundland East Coast Basketball Champions
  • 1993 Silver Medal – 3A Boys’ Provincials Basketball Tournament
  • 1990 Midget All – Newfoundland East Coast Basketball Champions Organizer of the highly successful “Brother Duffy” basketball tournaments. This tournament attracted top teams on the island. As coach of St. Francis, the Crusaders won six times, and reached the championship game 14 times.
  • 13 Regional Championships, thus resulting in 13 provincial competitions has head coach of the St. Francis Crusaders.
  • Member of the NLBA executive from 1982 – 1984
  • Coach for Division 2 Men’s Championship (1996)
  • Former founder / organizer / director / president of the CBN Men’s Basketball League, which not only provided games for local talent, but also acted as host for several provincial tournaments, including women’s tournaments.
  • Coached a team that travelled to Vancouver, BC and played teams from Washington State.
  • Selected as coach of the Newfoundland Provincial Midget Basketball team, which competed in New Brunswick.
  • Has travelled with the St. Francis Crusaders to compete in Vancouver, BC at the “Shamrock Tournament”.
  • Has travelled with the St. Francis Crusaders to compete in Ottawa and Montreal

Mr. John J. Walsh


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2007 as an “Official”


John Walsh is perhaps the best ambassador NABO have ever had in Newfoundland and Labrador for officials in this province. His tireless work and contribution is known throughout the country. His dedication to promoting and developing of new officials and the professionalism in the way he has always conducted himself on and off the court is and has always been an inspiration to everyone.


Participation as a Builder:

  • Served as a member of the executive of the Newfoundland Association of Basketball Officials (NABO) for a period of 19 years between 1984 – 2005.
  • Served as Vice President and then as Supervisor. Began service as an executive member in 1984 as Vice president, and except for a period of two years, served on the NABO executive every year until his resignation in 2005 in an effort “to encourage new blood and provide greater opportunity for other to have the experience of serving on the NABO executive.
  • 13 years of provincial Supervisor: Served for a period of thirteen consecutive years as Provincial Supervisor of NABO (1992 – 2005)
  • Official’s Certification Program: As Supervisor, was primarily responsible for the growth and development of basketball officials in the province and for their certification.
  • Conduct of Officials: Was also responsible for conduct and discipline of all NABO officials as it pertained to provincial and national competition, and to ensure that NABO officials conduct themselves in an appropriate and professional manner during all aspects of competition – both on and off the court.
  • Floor Ratings: Was responsible for ratings of all basketball officials in the province for a period of thirteen years, and for maintaining a current file and database on all officials pertaining to their development as basketball officials.
  • CABO Liaisons for tournament assignment: Was CABO liaisons and primarily responsible (in conjunction with NABO executive) for nominating officials to all CABO officiated tournaments, including Men’s and Women’s Atlantic University
  • Sport and Canadian Inter-Collegiate Sport Basketball Championships, CCAA competition, Canada Games, Junior Nationals and all other national tournaments sponsored by Basketball Canada, the AUS, and CIS where CABO was asked to provide officials.
  • NABO evaluation and rating system: Developed and implemented a completely new evaluation and rating system for basketball officials in the province that is still being used today, and which prescribes a strict criteria for the progressive development of officials that is based on rules knowledge and practical performance of officials in a game / tournament situation.
  • New level for national certification and university panel officials: This new evaluation and rating system established a six tier system, and introduced a new level five category for national certification and identification of candidates into the university pool.
  • NABO evaluation board: Introduced the concept of a provincial board of evaluators for NABO to assist with the development and evaluation of officials, developed an evaluator’s manual, and hosted two pan provincial evaluator trainings seminars to ensure better access and consistency in the rating process throughout the province.
  • Recruitment of officials: Assumed primary responsibility for the recruitment and retention of basketball officials in the province as provincial supervisor, and before resigning from the executive, chaired a NABO recruitment committee and developed a new recruitment policy for NABO that has yielded outstanding results in identifying and mentoring new officials over the past few years.
  • NABO awards program: Was responsible for developing and implementing a NABO awards program to recognize the service and contributions of longstanding NABO officials.
  • Three person basketball officiating: Worked closely with NLBA and NABO executive to help introduce the concept of three person basketball officiating into some of the senior NLBA championships as a means to introduce the three person concept, and to give our elite officials (and players) an opportunity to be exposed to three person officiating.
  • Female officials: Championed initiatives to identify and recruit female basketball officials, and to encourage their development as elite officials in this province – (and so much still needs to be done in this area). Implemented a clause in the AUS Women’s Basketball Agreement, whereby a percentage of officials who work this tournament MUST be female officials.
  • Scholarship Committee: Chaired the NABO scholarship committee for thirteen years as provincial supervisor, and brought forward recommendations and nominations for the executive’s consideration to award scholarships to deserving officials.
  • Still remains involved with working as an assigner / evaluator to provide feedback to the university pool officials who officiate the MUN Sea~Hawks men’s and women’s basketball games.
  • Continues to work as an assigner / evaluator for provincial tournaments, providing feedback to officials, and completing evaluations on officials who have requested to be re-certified.
  • Works on special projects at the request of NABO (most recently NABO liaison for the CIS Women’s Basketball Championships hosted by MUN).
  • NLBA achievement award: In June 1997 was presented with the inaugural NLBA achievement award for “his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of basketball in the province”
  • NABO achievement award: In January 2006 was presented with a NABO achievement award for outstanding contribution to basketball officiating in the province.
  • NABO Honorary Life Membership: In Jun 2006 at the NABO meetings (AGM in Corner Brook), was bestowed an honorary life membership by NABO in recognition of service and dedication to basketball officiating in this province.
  • 13 years CABO National Council: Served for a period of 13 years (1992 – 2005) as a member of the National Council of the Canadian Association of Basketball Officials.
  • Strong NL Lobby: Represented Newfoundland and Labrador’s interests at the national table on all issues pertaining to basketball officiating and officials development.
  • New national tournament allocation formula: Lobbied for improvements to the national tournament allocation formula that would see better (and more widespread) representation of officials from all provinces representing CABO at all national and CIS men’s and women’s championships.
  • New AUS allocation formula: Secured a much improved and more representative allocation formula for the assignment of basketball officials to both AUS men’s and women’s basketball championships. This was done against great opposition by NS officials who, up to this point in time, basically controlled the allocation of officials and received a disproportionate number of assignments. This resulted in a strike situation and withdrawal of service by NS basketball officials at the AUS men’s basketball championships in 1999 – a huge turning point, but which eventually led to convincing the AUS (and the NS officials’ association) of the merits of NABO’s argument, and a new allocation formula was eventually achieved.
  • Three person officiating crews (men): Was involved in initiatives on behalf of AUS officials (and NABO) for the implementation of three person officiating crews in AUS men’s basketball competition – regular season and playoffs.
  • Contracts between NABO and MUN: Negotiated many contractual agreements between MUN and NABO for provision of services for the Sea~Hawks men’s and women’s AUS basketball schedule; including travel allowances (for the first time) that would allow some of NABO’s university pool officials from outside the Avalon Peninsula to officiate games and to be compensated for their travel to game assignments on university weekends.
  • Selected AUS basketball officials contract negotiator: Was selected to be the AUS officials’ representative (representing all officials in NL, PEI, NS and NB) in negotiating the last two consecutive contracts between the AUS and basketball officials for their men’s and women’s championships – both were four year agreements.
  • New AUS assigner / evaluator agreements: Secured a commitment from the AUS (and all four participating officials’ associations) to have the AUS championships  use an assigner / evaluator from each of the four participating provinces (for the first time) on a rotational basis for both men’s and women’s championships.
  • A / E’s from various provinces: Fought to improve the presence of the assigner / evaluator from various provinces at CABO tournaments and this resulted in a significant increase in opportunities for provinces like NL (and other smaller provinces) for our provincial assigner / evaluator to work at these national tournaments.
  • Three person crews AUS women: Managed to successfully secure an agreement on behalf of AUS officials to implement three person officiating crews for all regular season and playoff competition for AUS women’s basketball in 2005 – a move that had been strongly resisted for years by the AUS, despite the fact that the AUS was the only conference not to utilize three person crews into its regular season and playoff schedule.
  • Equity and inclusion: Became a strong advocate for equity and inclusion on a number of fronts both provincially and nationally – including the need for more (and improved) opportunities for female officials, both provincially and nationally.
  • CABO awards program: In 2001 was awarded the prestigious J. A. “Wink” Willox Award by CABO after being nominated by the NABO executive. The Willox award is a national award, which honours officials for their contributions to basketball officiating as an elite basketball official (at the provincial level) and as a builder over a period of time.
  • Refereed basketball for 31 years in total; but only 21 as a member of the Newfoundland Association of Basketball Officials.
  • Began refereeing basketball while teaching and coaching at St. Bon’s and Brother Rice High.
  • He refereed locally, provincially, and nationally
  • Joined NABO in 1984 and immediately began service as an executive member.
  • Received an “A” rating in 1988
  • Worked NLBA provincial championships for 21 straight years, sometimes officiating in a number of provincial tournaments, but mostly Division 1 and 2 men’s championships.
  • For several consecutive years refereed more than 100 games a year on the local and provincial circuit, but in later years that was reduced from between 40 – 60 games per year due to family and work commitments. Also worked as an assigner / evaluator in at least one tournament each year for almost all these 21 years, and continues to do so today.
  • Was a member of NABO national pool for 16 years and was fortunate to have had the opportunity to work at the national level, but turned down many more national appointments than he had taken due to family and work commitments.
  • Was assigned to work the AUS men’s championships at the Metro Center in Halifax on several occasions, for him, these were the highlight of his officiating career. In fact, his last game as a basketball official was at the AUS men’s finals in March 2004.
  • Retired while still a member of the national pool, an active member of the university panel of officials doing a full schedule of games, provincial supervisor  of NABO, and member of the national council of CABO – leaving the game exactly as he had wanted, while he felt he was still contributing both as a builder and as a floor official.
  • Was a very respected floor official known for his fairness and integrity, and for putting forth the same full effort regardless of the level of the game.
  • Was a huge proponent of fitness and conditioning as an integral part of an official’s responsibility, and remains committed to this principle to this very day. 

Mr. Soon W. Wong


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2007 as a “Builder”


Soon Wong has been and still is today a great ambassador for the game of basketball in NL. His commitment to the sport speaks for itself. His tireless devotion to the kids he has helped developed to the senior teams he has kept together over the years shows the respect he has from his players and his peers. His coaching and developing of players to do their best and play as a team is shown in the championships he has won.


Soon Wong is a gentlemen and a true sportsman who loves the game of basketball.

  • 1986 – 87 coached Harvey‟s Offshore – Division 3 Champions
  • Hosted three provincial Division 4 tournaments / convenor – Host and coached two teams in each tournament.
  • Coached and won three Division 4 championships.
  • Coached and won two masters „B‟ tournaments.
  • Winner of the „Reg Soaper Award” in 1995
  • Solicitor of sponsors for teams. Have led countless numbers of fundraisers for teams to travel to competitions and have proper uniforms. And has enjoyed all of it. He has been a convenor, coach, father to some, intervener to many, and would do it all over again.
  • 1975 – 76 coached Venice Pizzeria – Intermediate “B”
  • 1976 – 77 coached 76ers‟, Intermediate “B”
  • 1977 – 78 coached Tower Maintenance Intermediate “B”
  • 1978 – 79 coached Beothuck Paving Intermediate “B”
  • 1980 – 85 coached Sedco 76 Intermediate “B”
  • 1986 – 87 coached Harvey‟s Offshore Division 3 champions
  • 1986 – 87 coached Regis Development
  • 1988 – 89 coached Lakeshore Homes – Division 4 champions
  • 1989 – 90 coached McGrath‟s Pipeline Division 4 champions
  • 1990 – 91 coached Stoyles Insurance Division 3 champions
  • 1991 – 92 coached Stoyles Insurance Division 3 champions
  • 1993 – 94 coached Stoyles Insurance Division 3 champions
  • 1994 – 95 coached NTV Division 3
  • 1995 – 98 coached Discovery Springs Division 3 championship
  • 1998 – 2003 coached Discovery Springs Division 3
  • 2003 – 04 coached Instant Replay Metro League champions
  • 2004 – 05 coached Patterson Palmer Metro League.
  • Have coached teams in Carbonear Invitational, many Chris Griffen tournaments, Marine Institute Tournaments, Metro League – Margaret Breen Tournament for last 15 years with six championships.
  • Served as convenor of Division 3 and Division 4 1987 – 1995 coached YBC basketball teams in initial start up years.
  • Coached Bishop‟s College senior team 1986 – 1989. Coached women‟s intermediate “B” league – 1986 – 88

Mr. Anthony A. Reardon


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2007 as a “Builder”


Coaching and athletic program contributions of Anthony Reardon, 1972 to present.

  • Continuous senior varsity coach from 1972 – 1996 (Enright and St. Catherine‟s)
  • Senior varsity coach 1999 – 2000 (St. Catherine‟s; provincial finalist; Elite 8 tournament making it to the crossovers.
  • Hoopla 95 „A‟ boys‟ provincial championship coach
  • Junior boys‟ coach 1997 – St. Catherine‟s, Pepsi B champs.
  • Senior girls‟ coach at St. Catherine‟s 1997 – 1999
  • Provincial 2A champs girls‟ in 1999
  • Countless basketball referee volunteering efforts over 28 years
  • Girls regional midget coach attending NL Winter Games (bronze medal game)
  • Established the minor basketball system at Enright and Mount Carmel schools in 1980‟s, which has produced many elite players, male and female.
  • 2004 – 2005 Assistant Coach with Men‟s Canada Games 

Mrs. Anne Marie Healey (Tobin)


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2009 as an “Athlete”


Anne Marie had an extremely impressive and productive career, with numerous accomplishments that rank her as one of the finest female basketball players this province has ever produced. 


From her school days in Trepassey at Stella Maris High to her varsity years at Memorial and then on to the St. John’s Senior “A” Ladies league and also having representing Newfoundland and Labrador at two Canada Games and national championships, Anne Marie enjoyed great success as a player and as a team leader.


In addition, her volunteer work as a coach and as a television color commentator allowed her to put something back into the major sport in which she excelled. From 1981 to 2001, she was a valuable and beneficial influence on every level of basketball within the province.


Her enthusiastic style of play, coupled with her great skill and talent provided her with the opportunity to put an outstanding 20 year career together and to establish herself among the elite female players within Newfoundland and Labrador.


Her determination to always do her best, and her dedication to her teammates, her coach and the team she played for, earned her a special place within the basketball community.


When the Telegram conducted a survey to find out who were the provinces finest female players of all time Anne Marie of course found her way onto the list. 


Winning the Ed Browne scholarship on two occasions, being selected to two Canada Games programs, and holding a varsity athletes highest honor of being inducted into the “Honor Society” it just speaks on how Anne Marie set her self in Newfoundland basketball history. 


As a coach and as a volunteer instructor Anne Marie contributed a great deal to the sport which she enjoyed such great success as a player, coaching at all levels, she had a great reputation in the community and she definitely deserved it! 


An unbelievable athlete…. Anne Marie also established herself as one of the provinces best female rowers; she also played varsity soccer, championship touch football and softball.


Athletic Accomplishments:

  • 1981-84 Played for Stella Maris
  • 1985-92 Instructor at Memorial Camps
  • 1983-86 Represented NL at Junior National Championships
  • 1985 & 87 represented the province in the Canada Summer/Winter Games
  • 1987 Named St. John’s Athlete of the Month
  • 1985-1989 Played for Memorial University/Was an AUAA All-star one year
  • 1985-1987 Received Ed Brown Scholarship each year
  • 1993 Coach of Father Berney Memorial High School and won zone and regional championships
  • 1994 Coach Holy Heart Sr. Girls-won provincial and City Championship
  • 1996 Returned as Member of Memorial University Varsity Basketball Team
  • 1997 Member of M5 team and named MVP/Top scorer and League All star.
  • 1998 Member of M5 championship team named playoff MVP and all-star
  • 1999 Member of M5 and named all-star
  • 2001 Member of M5 and league all-star

Mr. Glenn Normore


IInducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2009 as an “Athlete / Builder”


Known as one of the best long range shooters in our province during the 1970-80’s his defensive capability was also feared by his opponents. Glenn Normore started organized basketball at the age of 4 and played junior high ball at Dawson before moving on to star at Booth Memorial High School in St. John’s. Upon completion of his high school career Glenn decided to play with Acadia in the AUS League. Little did Normore know he would be playing with a long time teammate and friend in Glenn Taylor. Taylor was completing his final year at Acadia… at the time…. and was captain of the team.


After several knee operations Glenn returned home to recover and later played for Memorial University in the Sr. Men’s league. At this time he also represented the province twice at national championships assisting the province with our best ever finishes at nationals in any age category. 


After graduating MUN he rejoined his Acadia teammate, Glenn Taylor and competed in the Sr. Men’s league until 1996. Normore managed to win the City Championship 10 times during his career and almost won an equal amount of Provincial championships. 


While we all knew Glenn as soft spoken educator off the court he was as fierce a competitor… on the court…. that this province has ever produced.


Glenn stared his coaching career when he was a grade 9 student in 1971. He coached faithfully at several schools including, St. Pius X, Holy Trinity, Bishop Abraham, IJ Samson, Mount Pearl and Holy Cross. He also coached MUN at various times in the late 70’s and 80’s. Provincially he coached several teams in the 1980’s and led the province to victory at the Eastern Canadians Championships in 1995 and 2010. He also went on to coach the Men’s Canada Games Program in 1997. He coached the 2010 Midget Girls that competed in National in Ontario.


Glenn was always there to assist with the programming operated by the NLBA. He filled in where needed on several occasions in the 1980-90’s because that was the type of passion he had for the game. 


During his exciting and high profile playing and coaching careers Glenn was quietly playing a key role in the development of the sport at the administrative level. He served as president of the St. John’s Men’s at the ripe old age of 22. Over his career he also served two terms as President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Association.  


In the mid 90’s he joined the board of Canada Basketball and later served as a member of the international board FIBA for 10 years. Glenn is also

a Level III Master Course Conductor under the NCCP and has conducted coaching clinics throughout the province during his career. His involvement in the sport allowed him the opportunity to travel the world and meet some pretty impressive individuals….. including Steve Nash.


Glenn’s enthusiastic style of play, philosophy as a coach, work ethic as an administrator all contributed to the overall development of the sport in this province. His athletic accomplishments at the local and national stage are special. His volunteer contribution has touched more people in this province than we can imagine and he has earned the respect and a special place in the basketball community.


Career Facts:

Athlete:

  • 1974 Named Booth Memorials Athlete of the year
  • 1974-76 Played with Acadia in the AUS placing 3rd in CIS in 1975
  • 1977-79 Competed with MUN in St. John’s Men’s league
  • 1978 Played with NL Team in Junior Nationals and won silver; losing in the final to ON by 1 point. He was named MVP, Top scorer and was selected to the all star team
  • 1979 NL team returned to the Nationals where we placed 4th and Glenn was named the top defensive player and the top scorer for the event.
  • 1980-95 Won 6 straight titles in the St. John’s Men’s D1 league. One with MUN and 5 with Molson. He went on to win another 4 championships prior to 1995. During this time Glenn was also a member of several provincial championships with Molson and later Nova Physio. He was named MVP, top scorer and all-star in nearly every league and tournament he competed in. The individual accolades he acquired in the provincial championships and the St. John’s City league are too numerous to mention.

Coaching:

  • 1971-2010 Coached 26 years at the junior high school level and continues to coach today at IJ Samson where his daughters are attending school.
  • 1976 Assistant coach at Memorial with Glenn Taylor and the Men’s Program
  • 1987-89 Head Coach of the Memorials Women’s Program in the AUS
  • 1995 Head Coach of Provincial team that won the U15 Eastern
  • Canadian Championships. (He played all 20 players in the tournament)
  • 1996 Head Coach of the Men’s Provincial Juvenile Team
  • 1997 Head Coach of the Men’s Canada Games Program
  • 1976-2010 Level III Master Course Conductor and has recently acquired certification under the NCCP…. developed by Canada Basketball. He hopes to continue to educate the coaches around the province in the sport.
  • 2010 Head Coach of the Eastern Canadians U13 Girls’ team
  • 2010 Head Coach of the 2010 Midget Girls Program

Administrative:

  • 1980-1993 Served as president and various other roles on the St. John’s Men’s League executive.
  • 1984-1996 Served two terms as president of the NLBA and various other roles for 12 years.
  • 1996-2000 Served on the board of Canada Basketball as director
  • 1996-2006 Served as Canada Basketballs representative with FIBA-the International governing body for the sport of Basketballnducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2009 as an “Athlete”

Mr. Glenn Taylor


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2009 as an “AthInducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2009 as an “Athlete / Builder” 


Originally born in ON, Glenn Taylor built a basketball career that is among the very best in the history of the sport within Newfoundland and Labrador. As a player and as a coach his achievements and his contributions between 1976 and 2000 played a major role in the expansion, improvement and promotion of basketball in this province. 


Utilizing an exceptional knowledge of basketball that was earned in many places and in many ways, he proved to be an extremely effective coach at the junior high, provincial and university levels. He simply knew all aspects of the game and was very successful in passing his information on to those who were fortunate enough to play for teams of which he was the coach.


It would be fair to say that the arrival of Glenn Taylor on the St. John's and provincial basketball scene coincided with the popularity increase of the sport. It would be unfair to claim that he was the reason for the increased popularity, but he certainly was one of the contributing individuals to the overall improvement and success of the game. 


As a player he was a perennial all-star within the St. John's Senior League, more than holding his own on the court and performing at a level equal to that of any other player.


He was simply among the very best this province has seen. Glenn was one of the key players to help his team win several provincial and city championships. He also represented the province at several National championships in the late 70’s and early 80’s. 


As a coach he was extremely successful from his years within minor and school basketball. He had even a greater impact on the NLBA’s provincial programming and at Memorial University. Very well qualified at the start, he continuously upgraded his credentials and expanded his overall knowledge as a coach. His knowledge was very well supported by the manner in which he handled players. His methods played major roles in the improvement of every player who was a member of his teams. Overall, he was as fine a basketball coach as this province has ever seen. 


Career Facts:

Athlete:

  • 1966 – 1968 Christ Church Basement Saturday Fun League
  • 1968 – 1969 Brampton Centennial High School Junior Runner Up
  • 1969 – 1970 Brampton Centennial Senior Boys Peel County Champions
  • 1971 – 1975 Competed with Acadia and selected to the AUS All star team in 1974. He was also identified as a potential national team member in 1974. Glenn then moved to St. John’s in 1976.
  • 1980-1983 Represented the province at the Sr. Men’s National Championships.
  • 1992 Received the Reg Soper Award.
  • 1976 – 1990 Competed in the St. John’s Senior Men's Basketball League with several teams including, T.B. Clift, Black Horse; Molson's; and Nova Physiotherapy. He won 9 city championships in 14 seasons and almost as many at the provincial level. Glenn was named Top Scorer and MVP on several occasions and was consistently selected to the all star team at both the local and provincial levels over his playing career

Coaching:

  • 1976 – 2000 Coached with the Avalon School Board at United Junior High, McPherson, and Holy Cross Junior High
  • 1976 – 1977 Assistant Coach at MUN with Mr. Frank Butler (AUS)
  • 1977 – 1981 Head Coach for MUN Women's Varsity Basketball Team
  • 1982 Head Coach - Men’s Summer Games Program
  • 1989 Head Coach - Men's Canada Games Basketball Team in Saskatchewan
  • 1993 Head Coach of the Men’s Canada Games Basketball Team in BC
  • 1993 National 3M Award winner for Coaching
  • 1997 Head Coach of the Women's Canada Games Basketball in Manitoba
  • 1991 – 2000 Memorial University Head Coach for Men’s Basketball
  • 1995 & 97 Selected AUS Men's Coach of the Year
  • 1994-97 Selected NLBA’s “Chris Griffen Coach of the Year”. Glenn returned to ON in 2000.

Mr. Gus Roberts, Jr.


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2009 as a “Builder”


Gus Roberts basketball career began in Glovertown in the early 1960’s at the junior high level. He then moved to Baie Verte where he had a tremendous high school career as an athlete. When Gus graduated high school he decided to become a teacher and moved to St. John’s to attend Memorial University. While in St. John’s he played for the Fieldians in the St. John’s Men’s League. 


Once Gus graduated he moved back to Baie Verte where he played in the West Coast League that was comprised of teams from Baie Verte, Corner Brook, Codroy Valley, Grand Falls, and numerous other teams from the area. 


In 1972 Gus began his coaching career at St. Pius

X; one of the two high schools in BaieVerte. The other school was Beothuck Collegiate….. and what a rivalry it was in the 70’s and early 80’s. Gus’s teams won many town championships, which then gave him the opportunity to take his team to the regional championships where his teams competed regularly with the St. Mike’s team from Grand Falls. These two programs (St. Pius and St. Mike’s) were so strong they competed against one another consistently in the 70’s and 80’s to win a berth into the provincial high school championships. 


Roberts coaching career also included a 3A provincial championship, which is a huge feat for a school from which there were only 200 students enrolled. Once again it just shows that it was not quantity but the quality of the coaching that led the way. Feats such as these are rare in sport but speaks volumes on his skill and dedication to the program in Baie Verte.


His career then took a strange turn as he changed schools transferring his knowledge and experience to his former opponent, Beothuck Collegiate where he coached until he retired in 2002. After 30 years of coaching and dedication to the sport of basketball in rural Newfoundland he certainly deserved it. 


Throughout Roberts school career he was also very involved in the development of west coast basketball. Gus would run camps on Saturdays for children in his area and other areas in the region helping promote basketball in all regions on the west coast. He was also heavily involved in the annual summer camps at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College in Corner Brook, which would bring players and coaches alike from all over the province. Coaches and athletes had an opportunity to train with the some of the top coaches in the  country. A couple of regular coaches at these camps included Jay Triano (Current Raptor Head Coach) and Doc Ryan (Former ST. FX Womens Coach) both of whom were considered to be the best in the country. 


One of Gus Roberts’s pet projects was his involvement with the Baie Verte Invitational. At one point it was the longest running basketball tournament in the province with a record 27 years of straight competition. Unfortunately the invitational ended shortly after Gus left the sport. 


His basketball career spanned over 4 decades where he was instrumental in developing basketball in our province. He has produced athletes who have played on provincial teams and at Memorial University: players such as Paul Shelley and Ed Traverse. His son Steve played at the provincial level and many of his former athletes adapted his coaching philosophy and continue to coach today in a variety of regions across Newfoundland and Labrador. 


With Gus Roberts’s commitment and dedication to the sport of basketball we are certain the province was the huge benefactor of his skill and teaching philosophies. Former players from Baie Verte continue to coach and it was his love of the game that was instilled by Gus Roberts that made this possible. Congratulations Mr. Roberts on a great basketball career and thank you for all you have done to help grow the game. 


Career Highlights:

  • 1976-83 7 straight appearances in the championship game of the 3A provincials
  • 1983 1983 won 3A Provincial Championship
  • 1975-86 11 straight town championships over Beothuck Collegiate
  • 1972-97 25 years as coordinator of the Baie Verte Invitational
  • 1970’s-80’s Guest instructor at the various Ed Browne Camps at Sir Wilfred Grenfell
  • 1972-1997 25 years coaching high school boy’s basketball in Baie Verte
  • 1983-1987 Probably his toughest challenge of all -Coached AGAINST his son for 4 years of High School Ball.

Ms. Annette Rossiter


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2011 as a

“Athlete/Builder”


Annette’s basketball career began as a player at Mercy College in St. John’s and continued when she attended Holy Heart of Mary Regional High School from 1967 to 1970. While at Holy Heart she was captain for the St. John’s and provincial high school championships in 1970. Her basketball ability played a major role in her selection as Holy Heart Athlete of the Year for 1969 – 1970.


Annette’s involvement in basketball spanned a period of 23 years. She is recognized as one of an impressive group of outstanding females who were responsible for gaining respect and recognition for female athletes in the province. Prior to the group’s arrival there was relatively little recognition for female athletes in general. 


Following her high school career she moved on to

play in the St. John’s senior basketball league where she claimed the scoring title, along with several MVP awards. Rossiter was also selected as the “St. John’s Female Athlete of the Year” in 1971. 


Throughout the 1970’s she was a perennial all-star in the senior women’s basketball league. She was a member of four St. John’s championship teams, 3 provincial championship teams and played in 6 national championships. She has twice received St. John’s and Provincial MVP awards, won two scoring titles and was named to seven all-star teams. In 1971 and 1975 she represented Newfoundland and Labrador at the Canada Games.  In 1972 she played with Memorial University’s Varsity Basketball Team, winning the St. John’s senior title. 


In addition to an impressive playing career Annette began coaching in 1972 at Holy Heart of Mary Regional High School. She coached the girl’s team there until 1989 and on two occasions added the school boys’ team to her agenda. The school teams she coached won 10 St. John’s championships, 5 provincial titles and placed second to Quebec for the Atlantic regional final. In 1981, working with Dr. Bill Redden of Memorial University, Annette was a driving force behind the establishment of the annual MUN-Holy Heart basketball tournament that was of great benefit to many female high school basketball players through-out the province.

Clarence Sutton 


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2011 as an

“Athlete/Builder”


On the court Clarence was a quiet, competitive, positive leader who liked to win! His best qualities as a basketball player were on the offensive end of the court. He perfected the fade away jumper and a deadly mid-range shooter, which led him to much success in his playing career. He was a 2 time High School Provincial Champ, a member of NL Canada Games Team and NL Junior National Team.


Clarence played for Memorial University of Newfoundland and was inducted into the MUN Athletic Honours Society, a varsity athlete’s highest honour. Sutton was a threetime MVP and six-time all-star in Provincial men’s and St. John’s Senior Men’s league where he won 21 combined titles. 


As a coach Clarence has touched the lives of many young athletes in our province. He modelled his coaching style after his hero, John Wooden. His personal philosophy was that a young person needed to know that you cared before they cared what you knew. Many have said Clarence did not just teach the game of basketball, he taught hundreds of young people about life. As some famous person once said: “A good coach changes your game, a great coach changes your life" – Clarence was definitely a great coach. Most of the athletes who had the opportunity to be coached by this quiet, unassuming man have a story about how Clarence taught them a life lesson while at the same time making them feel unique and special.


His legacy is not measured simply by his wins and losses but by the countless young people whose lives he touched using the game of basketball as his vehicle. Clarence has long been recognized as one of the top high school basketball coaches the province has ever seen. Many of his players have gone on to play at the university level and local leagues are full of his former athletes. 


Clarence began his coaching career in 1990 at Stella-Maris Academy in Trepassey. Trepassey was Clarence’s hometown. Upon returning there to teach at the local school he was driven to bring his hometown basketball program back to its glory days. He did so by managing to coach all 4 school teams, the male and female senior and junior teams. During his 8 years at Stella Maris Academy Clarence often would be the first person in the school each morning and the last to leave each night. It was not unusual for Clarence, with his trusted co-pilot Darlene at his side, to coach 8-10 games in one weekend in 4 different gymnasiums.


It was in Trepassey where he won several Provincial Championships at both the 3A and 4A level and developed a basketball program that produced many of the top players in the province.

Players such as Memorial University standouts- brother and sister duo John and Jenifer Devereaux, Tami Pennell, Joanne MacNeill, Gillian Halleran, Justin Halleran and Jessica Ryan. Following his time in Trepassy Clarence moved on to St. John Bosco where he brought a passion for the game that helped build the program in area where basketball was not as popular. Clarence’s final coaching experience was at St.  Kevin’s in the Gould’s where his program continued to excel at the 3A and 4A provincial level. Again he coached both male and female teams to provincials in their respective divisions. His St. Kevin’s girls’ team once won 125 games in a row, over a two year span, a record that will likely never be touched in high school sports. Players such as Michelle Bartlett, Stephanie Dinn and Sheena Fleming are just three of the many St. Kevin’s players who Clarence inspired to play basketball at a higher level.


Clarence also volunteered his coaching prowess to various other teams. He coached provincial teams at the national level for several summers and was a member of the coaching staff for the 1997 Canada Games. Clarence was also remembered for the several years he assisted with Memorial University Men's Program.


Despite his awards and championships as both a player and a coach those who knew Clarence would say that his real accomplishment was in the many lives he touched through his genuine love for the game and concern and dedication to all the many young athletes he worked with in his years of devotion to the sport. Speak to any of his former athletes and most will tell you not about the basketball skills they learned or the games they won with Coach Sutton – instead they will tell you about the very special person who, through basketball, helped bring out the best in all those he touched. 

George Power


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2011 as a

“Builder”


George has been actively involved in basketball in this province for over four decades. Over the years he has served in numerous NLBA executive positions in addition to spending many quality years as an active player and as an elite coach. 


As is the case with many passionate athletes, George’s involvement didn’t end with his playing career. As a fully certified Level III NCCP coach, George’s coaching experiences have been extensive and varied - an indication of his commitment to exposing the young people of this province to the sport he loves. His high school coaching experience has seen him take on head coaching duties at schools across our province. These include coaching Holy Heart Senior and Junior Boys teams, St. Catherine’s Senior Boys, Gonzaga Senior Girls, Beaconsfield Senior and Junior Girls, St. Paul’s Senior Girls, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Senior Boys.


In addition to coaching at the high school level George has coached many provincial teams. His first provincial coaching duties were as an assistant coach for the Midget Boys in 1994. The following year he made the move to the Juvenile girls program where he again was an assistant coach. In 1996 George moved back to coaching boys again, this time as the head coach of the Juvenile boys’ team. 


Ready for a slightly bigger challenge, in 1997 George signed on as assistant coach for the Men’s Canada games team. He returned to provincial coaching in 2000 as head coach of the juvenile girl’s team. His latest involvement in our provincial program was in 2005 when he was head coach of the men’s Canada Games team. 


Although his coaching contributions to the sport are significant he also had a tremendous impact on the sport as an administrator. He held the position of vice president of the NLBA in 1980. He has also held other positions with NLBA including Regional Director in areas covering Labrador West, Goose Bay and Churchill Falls and Senior Tournament Director before serving as President of the NLBA from 2001-2003.


In addition to his volunteer efforts with the NLBA
George also served as president of the St. Mary’s Minor Basketball Association from 1987-95. 

Gerard Brien


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2011 as an

“Official”


Gerard Brien has been a basketball referee with the St. John’s Association of Basketball Officials and NABO for 32 years.


He is currently a nationally-certified Level Five official who refereed the highest caliber of basketball at the local, provincial, inter-collegiate and national levels. He has officiated at five National Events and three Atlantic University Championships. He was selected to officiate the semi-finals in every one of his national appearances. The highlight of his officiating career was being chosen to referee, as crew-chief, the Gold Medal game of the 1996 Senior Men’s National Championships in Nova Scotia. He also refereed the Bronze Medal game in two other National Championships. He was also proud to be the NABO representative in refereeing the 1993 Canada Summer Games in Kamloops, BC, a tournament in which the now famous 2-time NBA MVP, Steve Nash, played for BC.


Gerard has refereed approximately 75 NLBA provincial tournaments, has officiated the championship game in approximately 40 of those tournaments and has received the NLBA top official award at several NLBA provincial championships. He has refereed numerous NL High School Federation provincial, regional and zone championships at the 4A and 3A levels in both male and female competitions. 


Gerard has contributed to the provincial basketball community by officiating in every Elite 8 since its inception. He has also contributed to the recruitment and development of referees through participation in various mentoring program, such as Buddy System and Hoopfest. 


In addition to his on floor contributions he served as Provincial Rules Clinician and Provincial Evaluator of officials for 25 years. He served as an official for the University Panel of officials at the AUS/CIS level for approximately 25 years. At the local level he has served on the SJABO executive for 8 years and on the NABO executive for 10 years. 


In addition to these formal duties he has served as a mentor to new officials and as an organizer of various working committees over the years. The Canadian Association of Basketball Officials has recently honoured Mr. Brien when he was awarded the J.A. Wink Willox Award, a national award for outstanding service to basketball and officiating in Canada.

Andrea Hutchens


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2013 as an

“Athlete”


Andrea Hutchens proved to be one of Newfoundland and Labrador's best female basketball players to play the game. Her passion for the game and her desire to excel were evident from an early age. She had the size, dedication, leadership qualities and talent to make her dreams come true. 


In high school she was known to work on her game on her own at the MUN gym. When she wasn’t honing her dribbling and shooting skills she could be seen running up the Prince Philip Parkway and down Elizabeth Avenue!! All this hard work and determination paid off. She achieved outstanding success at the university, national, and international levels from 1991-1995. A career highlight for Hutchens was her recruitment to the Winnipeg Wesmen. She was part of a team that won 88 consecutive games and three straight national championships. In 1993, the Winnipeg Wesmen defeated the University of Victoria to claim their first Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) championship. The team claimed their second CIAU championship in 1994. Hutchens was named 2nd team All Canadian and was selected tournament All-Star for the CIAU National Championships. That same year, Hutchens scored 16 points as Winnipeg defeated the University of Manitoba for its 88th consecutive victory. This tied a record set in 1973 by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) men's team which included basketball greats Bill Walton and Kareem Abdul Jabbar.


Hutchens was named 1st team Conference All-Star. In 1995, she scored 16 points and was named TSN Player of the Game as Winnipeg defeated the University of Manitoba to win their third straight CIAU title. Hutchens was selected 1st team All-Star for the CIAU National tournament. In October 1995, the Winnipeg Wesmen was elected to the Basketball Canada Hall of Fame. Hutchens' success with the University of Winnipeg led to national success. She was selected to the National developmental team in 1991 and attended a National Women's team camp in 1992. From 1993- 1995, Hutchens was selected to play on several national teams and competed in a number of

international tournaments. She played with the Senior National Women's Basketball Teams in 1994 and 1995. In May 1994, the team won the European Invitational tournament by defeating Russia, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. They also competed in the Goodwill Games in St. Petersburg, Russia. 


From 1993-1995, as a member of the National Women's Student Teams, Hutchens participated in the World Student Games in New York, an international tournament in Taiwan, and the World University Games in Japan. In June 1995, Hutchens was named as a Reserve player to Canada's National Basketball Team for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. 


Andrea graduated from the University of Winnipeg in1996 with a BSc. She then returned and did a degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Manitoba. On completion of her degree in 1999 she returned to Newfoundland. Andrea currently works as an occupational therapists in St. John’s. She’s married to Sheldon Spurrell of Arnolds Cove and has two very active boys, Ben and Douglas.

Gary Summers


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2013 as an

“Athlete”


Gary Summers has been a professional magician and hypnotist for 25 years. His magic shows captivate audiences from ages 4 - 104. During his days as a basketball player he created his own magic on the hard court, he was well known for his bank shot from any range!


Gary first laced up his sneakers when he was 12 years old as a grade 6 student at St. Bon’s. He played junior ball for two years under head coach Brother Withers and in grade 8 moved on to play Senior Ball. He went to High School at Brother Rice and was coached by Brother Byrne and Brother Withers. Through his exceptional play in the high school league he was named to the city all-star team. 


After graduating from high school he went to Memorial University of Newfoundland to pursue degrees in Physical Education and Education (1974) and returned to complete his Masters in Physical Education (Exercise Physiology) in 1978. Gary played both Junior and Senior Varsity while attending Memorial. During his junior varsity years, the team took part in the Senior City League….. During Gary’s time with the Junior Varsity team his most memorable game was the 2 out of 3 series against Budget Rent a Car from Halifax. He said it was the largest crowd he had ever seen in the MUN gym! The noise was deafening. They went on to beat Budget in game three to be given the right to attend Nationals in Victoria BC. Gary scored 18 points in each of the first 2 games and that allowed Gary to work his magic to the tune of winning the tournament MVP! 


The year before they beat Ontario in overtime 92 87 in Edmonton to win the Eastern Canadian Championship and our first win at the nationals!! Gary played Senior Varsity under coach Ed Browne who was one of Gary’s favorite coaches. Ed brought so much to the teams he coached and offered his team many great opportunities to travel

and play a variety of teams. While playing varsity Gary had the opportunity to compete in a yearly

invitational tournament in Machias, Maine and
play various exhibition games against mainland universities like Carlton and UPEI. They also played against Argentia Seals from the US Army base in Argentia in Provincial play and exhibition games.


One of the trips Ed took the Memorial team on was  a 17 day tour of England, Scotland and Ireland (Dec 22nd 1973---Jan 5th 1974). Memorial played 10 exhibition games with a record of 6-4. The highlight of Gary’s Senior Varsity years was winning the right for Memorial to be accepted into the AUAA basketball competition for the very first time. Memorial had to play a special playoff game in March 1974 against Dalhousie (the fourth place team in the AUAA) to see if Memorial would be competitive in the league. They defeated “the tigers” in their own gym with no supporters to win the right to play in the AUAA (now called the AUS) for years to come. On Gary’s completion at MUN he was named to the Memorial University’s Athletic Honour Society, which is one of the highest athletic awards at Memorial University. 

Jamey Jennings


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2013 as an

“Official”


William James (Jamey) Jennings was born in Halifax NS on June 4, 1958. Moved to Corner Brook as an infant, and grew up there. He went to Herdman Collegiate graduating Grade 11 in 1975. Then attended the West Coast Regional College (now Grenfell Campus of MUN) in September 1975 for 2 years. Played varsity basketball there for the late Ed Browne.


In 1980 Jamey graduated MUN with conjoint degrees in Bachelor Physical Education and Bachelor Education. In 1989 he returned to Memorial and did a Master of Physical Education degree with a concentration in administration and supervision. In 1998, started a Certificate in Educational Management from the Northern College of Education in Edinburgh Scotland, completing that in June 2000. 


Jamey has been teaching for the past 30+ years on the Northern Peninsula in Englee, Plum Point and Reef's Harbour, where he taught physical education and other subjects; moved to Central Newfoundland where he worked in Glenwood as a physical education teacher and school administrator. Jamey has been in school administration since 1997. Jamey will retire from teaching on June 21st 


Jamey’s referee career started in 1974 with referring in communities such as Corner Brook, Plum Point, St. John’s and Gander. Through the years it was evident that he was just not another referee he was very passionate about the sport and bringing quality referees to our province. Jamey was one of the founding members of the Executive of the Central Newfoundland Association of Basketball Officials (CNABO). He served in various capacities including President, Assigner and Treasure. He has been very active member of NABO as an executive member, in roles such as President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer and a member of their Evaluation panel. He also represented NABO at the Executive table of NLBA. 


Currently Jamey is serving as Provincial Supervisor. Jamey is a provincial official’s clinician for basketballs rules and mechanics and has conducted clinics throughout the province including Corner Brook, Gander, Grand Falls/ Windsor, Clarenville, Goose Bay, Carmanville, Plum Point and St. John’s. He has officiated at all levels of tournaments sponsored by the NLBA and School Sport NL since 1974 and continues to do today. 


Jamey was a member of college pool (men and women) to officiate at Memorial Seahawks games. Today he is one of two evaluators at Memorial home basketball games, and when assigned, continues in the assigner-evaluators role at AUS Championships. Jamey’s resume consists of many national and provincial events. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Basketball Officials National Council, as Provincial Supervisor for NABO. He has officiated at National Championships and AUS Conference championships in:

  • CCAA Men and Women’s
  • Canada Basketball Junior Men’s and Women’s
  • Canada Games
  • AUS Men and Women
  • Canada Basketball Juvenile Championships
  • Women’s Canada Games 1997
  • CIS Women
  • CIS Men

Jamey’s last National Championship as a floor official was the CIS Men’s tournament in Ottawa in March 2009. Along with his promoting referring in the province Jamey Jennings has been very active in promoting basketball in Central Newfoundland both by organizing tournaments and by keeping all the officials on top of their game. Jamey was also a high school coach in various communities Gander, Glenwood, Plum Point. He has been one of the executive members that have been a part of the Gander Basketball Association since it started back in 1993 – 2013. Without his support the Association would not be what it is today!!

Kevin Fitzpatrick


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2013 as a

“Builder”


Kevin Francis Joseph Fitzpatrick better known as “Fitz” has been a part of the Basketball Community in Newfoundland for over 40 years. His dedication, love of the game and desire to give back to the sport of Basketball has made him one of the most respected persons in the sport!


He started playing basketball in 1969 at the age of 12. He played for three years with Holy Cross from 1969-1971 as Point Guard and was known for his shot and his ability to handle the ball. He celebrated many City Championships with that team! Kevin has and always will be a Crusader and still remembers the day the team was told to get out the gym because the school was on fire. In 1972 he went on to play with the Senior Team at Brother Rice High School. After that season Kevin left the sport until one night in 1980 when he was approached by Gordon Breen in the bowling alley of St. Pat’s. He asked Kev if he played ball because the team playing upstairs was in need of some extra players. The rest is history. From that day forward, Kevin became a member of the Metro League.


A dominant player from the start Kevin won his first Metro Championship on 1982 and was selected Best defensive player for the season. Besides playing, Kevin could be found refereeing, score keeping or keeping the peace when tempers flared. Kevin was selected 3 times in the 1980’s to represent Metro in the Russell tournament that ran in those years. In 1990 Gordon Breen retired from the Metro League he had no hesitation passing the torch on to Kevin and George Bishop to run the league. He knew the league would be in good hands! 


In the 1990-91 seasons, under Kevin’s guidance, the Metro Basketball League became a member of the NLBA for the first time bringing insurance coverage to all of its players and the opportunity to play in Provincial Tournaments. He also turned over refereeing duties of the league to the St. John’s association of basketballs officials, bringing the Metro League into the fullness of the Basketball Community.


In 1992 Kevin took over full control of the league. Throughout the years Kevin has given his heart and soul to the Metro League. His devotion and decisions brought the league from a 6 team league playing 2 nights per week to an 8 team league playing 3 nights per week with a call up list of 30

plus players waiting to play in the league. Some of his other accomplishments through the years have been:

  • He set up the league with an executive, consisting of a President, Treasurer/Convenor and a team Rep from each team all having vote on league matters. Developed a constitution to govern the league.
  • He restarted the Metro Outdoor Tournament He promoted it as family day Tournament and encourages players to bring along their spouses and kids. This tournament is the highlight of the Metro League and celebrated its 18th consecutive year this past season. 
  • He one of the co-founders of the Annual Margaret Breen Memorial Tournament
  • He helped develop a web site for the league opening the league up to anyone who was interested.
  • Created the History page to honor the hundreds of players who had played in the league through the years.

Along with all his devotion to the Metro League Kevin has been an active member of the NLBA since 1996. For the next 16 years Kevin has been involved with the organization on many levels starting with being elected as Regional Director for St. John’s North. He also was a member of the Hall of Fame Induction committee, Hall of Fame Cup committee, Senior Tournament Director and Policy Director. In 2007 Kevin received the President’s award for his work with the NLBA and his contribution to the sport throughout the Province. 


Kevin has been a tireless worker on behalf of the NLBA. Although retired from the executive part of the association, he continues to serve several committees.

Donna Brenton – Athlete 


Donna Brenton played many sports but she was most recognized in basketball. She was first introduced to the game in 1971 in her hometown of Marystown. From there her basketball career saw her playing locally, provincially, nationally and at the university level. From 1977-1988 there was not been a more dominate female basketball player then Donna. Her consistent MVP, All Star awards, top scorer, top rebounder awards during this time speak to her success.


Donna was a member of Memorial University women’s basketball team from 1973-1977, helping MUN to an Atlantic varsity title in 1975. Atlantic
Varsity was similar to AUS of today but it was for small colleges. MUN played against universities like St. Thomas, Mount St. Vincent and Acadia, the smaller universities but a pretty good feat for the time!! 


It was an even bigger accomplishment for Brenton who really never learned the game until her first year of university. In 1971 Donna was introduced to the game at the high school level. She played for 2 years with Marystown Central High and they won the Burin Peninsula Championship twice!! Quite an accomplishment seeing they never had a “real” gym to practice in that first year, they used to go to the community hall and set up rollaway baskets with sandbags. It wasn’t until grade 11 when the new school was built -Marystown Central High that they finally had a “real” gym to play in. In 1973 Donna received the Marystown Central High School Female Athlete of the year and in the same year she was chosen Marystown Female Athlete of the Year for her success in the sport!!


Donna followed in her big brother Dave’s footsteps and went on to attend Memorial and play varsity basketball. She attended Memorial University where  she graduated with her Physical Education/Education Degree in 1977. It was here that Donna learned the fundamentals of the game from her first coaches Ed Brown and Joe Wadden. Glenn Taylor came along and taught her the tools to add a new dimension to her game. She was the first legitimate female post player in the province. Donna spent half her career double teamed, she literally owned the key!!! On top of her dominance on the court, Donna also proved to be a tremendous team player. It was this dominance, her desire to learn and her endless hours in the gym that helped her leap to the forefront on the MUN varsity team. On top of the accomplishment of winning the Atlantic Varsity Title, the team won the St. John’s League three times and again Donna consistently won MVP, top scorer and most rebound awards. Donna’s overall contributions to Basketball at MUN earned her membership in the University’s Athletic Honor Society 


One of Donna’s most memorable memories of her basketball career was representing her province in the 1975 Canada Game in Lethbridge, Alberta. It was her first legitimate National tournament and it opened her eyes to what it took to compete at that level. It was a thrill to play against athletes from all over the country. After Memorial Donna went on to play in the St. John’s senior women’s’ league, with teams which dominated the league in the early ‘80’s. From 1977- 1988 Donna’s team won the right to participate in six National Senior Women’s Tournaments. They also participated in 11 Senior Women’s Provincial Tournaments. Donna was consistently being chosen for All-Star teams, MVP and Top Scorer Awards. In 1988 Donna played in her last Provincial Tournament in Placentia and was named MVP. 


Ask any player/coach from that era who they thought was the top female basketball player in the province, rest assured Donna Brenton would be the tops on everyone’s list!! 

Glenn Stanford: Athlete


Glenn Stanford owns an exceptional 20- year basketball career, overflowing with team and personal achievements and accomplishments.


From school basketball in 1972 to playing University and in the first division up to 1991, coaching at different levels from High School to Canada Games. Glenn was one of the most outstanding basketball personalities produced within Newfoundland and Labrador. 


Having great ball handling skills (they were actually referred to as being superb) that was very well supported by determination and an impressive knowledge of the game, Stanford played with the very best players and teams of his time and was a standout at the national, university and local levels in whatever category he performed. 


Perennially selected as an all-star and often voted most valuable player, Glenn Stanford was of extreme benefit to any team for which he played. This value existed on the court and in the dressing room as he earned great respect from his teammates, opponents, officials and fans. Glenn Stanford was simply a great basketball player and coach with a large amount of expertise. A member of the St. John’s Basketball Hall of Fame since 1991, his passing and setup ability was always important for a team with which he played and combined with his tenacious penetration and accurate passing made him a dangerous offensive weapon. Defensively, he was just as valuable since he was  able to read the development of opponents’ attacks and often, forced turnovers by his opponents. He was a startling player who contributed both ways to the success of teams with which he played. 


It was with St. Patrick’s School and Brother Rice High that he led teams to many school titles. In 1976, his performance earned him the Most Valuable Player Award and All-Star selection at the provincial junior championships and he was one of the better players for the Newfoundland and Labrador at the Canadian Junior Championships in Windsor, Ontario. 


Glenn first played in the St. John’s Sr. Basketball league with Holy Cross Crusaders when he was approx. 17 years old but looked like he was 12 years old. Between 1977 and 1980, he was captain of the Memorial University basketball team for four seasons, winning MVP selections at provincial and Atlantic tournaments. He was a first team all-star at the Nova Scotia College Tournaments. He was a first team all –star at the Nova Scotia College Tournament and his overall contributions to sports at MUN earned him membership in the University’s Athletic Honor Society. One memorable occasion for Glenn would be in 1979--In his 4th year at MUN Glenn played with the NL all-stars when NL hosted the Sr. National Basketball tournament in St. John’s. Newfoundland and Labrador defeated Sask. 76-54 in their first game in front of as estimated crowd of. approx. 1500 in the old MUN gymnasium. Glenn stole the ball a number of times, played well defensively, shot well and his play gained honorable all-star mention. 


In 1978 Glenn Stanford earned second all-star selection at the Canadian Junior Basketball Championships and in 1979 earned all-star selection at the Canadian Junior Basketball Championships. These selections are very impressive since they were earned playing against the very best basketballers in Canada. It was noted by one of his fellow teammates that Glenn was a very proud Newfoundlander and Labradorian and on a number of occasions faced up to much taller opponents who may have insulted his home province after a game on the mainland. 


Playing in the highly competitive St. John’s First Division League from 1980 to 1991, Glenn Stanford faced the province’s finest players on a game-to-game basis and certainly more then held his own. He was selected to the League’s first all-star team five times and named most valuable players on two occasions. At the  same time, provincially he was an all-star three times and MVP Award winner

twice. On three occasions, he was a member of the team that represented Newfoundland and Labrador in national senior championships. Glenn won 5 St. John’s Senior Men’s Basketball Championships and 2 Provincial Championships

various teams: City Furniture, Carlsberg, Best Western, and Fosters. In 1983 Glenn played with the NL all-star Carlsberg selects in an Invitational Basketball Tournament in St. John’s where NL won the tournament, defeating a very good team from Halifax, (the YMCA. Schooners) plus the Argentia Seals (from the US Base in Argentia) and also Memorial University Sr. Varsity team. Glenn received the Reg Soper Memorial Award for his performance as a player and his contributions in St. John’s basketball as a builder in 1994. 


An evening Telegram series, conducted with members of the basketball community, had Glenn Stanford name the fifth best basketball player in the sports’ history within Newfoundland and Labrador. It stated that Stanford was one of the best ball

handlers, if not the best, the province has ever produced. Glenn's ball handling and defensive skills along with his hustle, desire, work ethic and ability to pass the ball far outweighed his shooting ability, (especially from the 3 point range). This

resulted in a very good team oriented basketball player who proudly represented the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and who gave his all in every National, Provincial and local game he ever played. 

Harry Power: Builder


Harry Power was a sportsman at heart, he was an outstanding athlete that tried his hand at football, track and field, baseball, softball and basketball. He excelled at many sports but basketball was the prominent sport that he is well known for. 


Harry started as a player at Holy Cross, his life from a teenager to present has seen him involved in many aspects of the game. He played and coached at many different levels. He has been a member of SJABO and served on all levels of the executive. Harry was a pinnacle part of the Women’s Basketball Leagues development. Harry’s leadership abilities has made a huge impact on the NL basketball community. 


Harry was a local assigner for referees in St. John’s where he spent hundreds of hours each season dealing with contacts from all leagues, assigning over 3000 games per season. Harry has served on all levels of the SJABO (St. John Association of Basketball Officials) executive, from treasurer (10 years), vice president (5 years) and president (5 years). His leadership abilities at all levels have helped make the St. John’s association what it is today. Harry also held a position with NABO executive (Newfoundland Association of Basketball Officials) from 1990-2000. 


Harry has been a referee for the past 48 years, he has achieved his Level 4 certification. Harry has officiated games at the Senior Men’s’ and Ladies Leagues,  High School, Provincial Championship, Minor and Club Championships. Harry has officiated over 10,000 games and is still going.


Harry held a position with NABO executive (Newfoundland Association of Basketball Officials) from 1990-2000. Harry Power was the founder of the Ladies League which was started in 1966 to give the MUN Ladies team competition at the time. The league started with just 4 teams but grew every year to become a league of 12-13 teams. Harry did everything from securing gym time, booking referees, doing schedules, raising money, etc. Harry was a member of the executive for 10 years, holding positions from treasurer to president (1990-1992). He was the foundation for the league, he enabled it to grow to where it is today. 


Harry coached from 1968-1993 at varying levels. He started his coaching career at Holy Cross where he coached the Holy Cross Men’s team to a first place finish in the Eastern Canadian Championships in 1968. With the formation of the Ladies League Harry became a familiar face on the bench, coaching in the League from 1970-1999. Coaching teams such as Reddy Kilowatt, Trapper John’s, VOCM, Jets to name just a few. Some of Harry’s fondest memories are heading to tournaments with his teams, especially the road trips to Argentia. In 1995 he took his Labatt’s Ladies team to an Invitational Tournament in Edmonton, Alberta where they received Most Spirited Team. Harry has been recognized with some very distinguished awards throughout his basketball career. In 1983 he won the Leadership Award from the City of St. John’s and also that same year won a Government of Canada Award for his involvement in sport in Newfoundland and Labrador. In 1999 he was presented with the Frank King Award, which is an Executive honor award from Newfoundland Association of Basketball Officials. Harry’s leadership abilities has made a huge impact on the NL basketball community. He has given back to the game in a major way. The thousands of hours he has given to others over the years has touched the lives of many hundreds of people in our sport.

Ted Byrne: Athlete


It was at St. Bon’s in Aula Maxima’s gym classes that Ted Byrne was first introduced to the game of basketball. He can still remember doing layups lined up behind traffic cones in Grade 5, a left handed lap-up at the time was impossible!! The catalyst for Ted was the mini-basketball intramural program at St. Bon’s started by Chris Murphy and Brother Duff. It was unknown to him at the time but it was the beginning of a very extraordinary journey.


With this journey came many accomplishments and many memories from his basketball days, too many to share with you tonight but I hope I can portray to you the player he was. Was it the Nike Legends, the rivalries between St. Bon’s, St.Pat’s and Holy Cross, his first b-ball trophy (most improved in Grade 5) , shooting hoops in the early am before class started, that gave Ted the edge to want to be more than just average?


Basketball was definitely becoming an important focus of Ted’s life during this period. When he was in Grade 9 at St. Bon's he used to go to Rice and watch Brother Reynold’s Senior Celtic teams play in the evening (Sparrow, Dawe, Dalton, Smythe, Fowler, Blake, etc…). He couldn’t wait to go to Rice and be a part of that basketball environment. However.........he did not make the senior team at Bro Rice in Grade 10 which was devastating for him at the time - but in retrospect it was one of the best things that happened to him from a hoops perspective. He  played a lot more under Gerry Whitten in Grade 10 on the junior team and improved a great deal. In Grade 11 when Ted did make the senior team he was able to make an immediate impact, where they won back to back 4-A championships under Bro Flood.


Ted’s first memories of Provincial basketball were the player identification camps that Coach Wakeham ran out at the Torbay Rec center, with tryouts for the provincial team to go to Brandon for Junior Nat’s in 1984. Ted remembers that place being a sauna in the summer but he loved playing there. It was his first exposure to the best players in the province. He was coming out of Grade 10 at the time and was named an alternate. Again, this was a hard pill to swallow… however, in August’84 he went to a basketball camp in Corner Brook run by Glenn Taylor and Peter “Doc” Ryan, who at the time was the coach of the Dalhousie Tigers Men’s Team in the AUAA. Doc asked Ted if he’d be interested in going to Dal to play basketball. When he returned from that camp he realized that he could actually have a career in basketball past high school and even outside of NL. It was a turning point in his approach to dedication and training.


Coach Wakeham’s dedication to the '87 Games program was very contagious and the entire team felt that he would do anything to give them the chance to improve and play. Simultaneously playing in the high school league and men’s city league was physically demanding, but it was very good for them. It was a stark contrast - winning every game in the high school league and getting killed in the men’s league twice a week. They lost a lot of games in the D1 league but Ted can still remember the feeling of finally winning their first game. They were definitively improving.

 

Coach Wakeham organized trips to Halifax and Montreal during the winters and to the junior nationals in the summer. He was always looking to find the best competition. According to Ted, “it was simply fantastic – we were a solid group that truly loved and lived basketball and Tony was the tireless motor behind it all.” Hosting the junior national tournament in St. John’s in ’86 was an incredible experience - a very high caliber and gave Ted a taste of the CIAU level, since so many college guys were still playing that year.


Of course, the Canada Games in ’87 was the pinnacle of the “3-year-plan” with Tony – the team placed 5th. Ted says “it was years later did I realize that it was a solid achievement to be very proud of.”


Ted credits the Acadia program under Dave Nutbrown for preparing him for the next level of physical national and international basketball. It was a huge stepup in competitiveness and intensity for him. “I worked very hard on my game at Acadia, and I was definitely pushed to my potential by my coach and teammates. We had roughly 100 2-hour practices and 30 games per season from October to March, and I can count on one hand the number of practices I missed due to injury in 5 years, and I don’t think I missed any games.” Doing individual skill sessions with Coach Nutbrown pre- and post-season was also a key element. “He taught me how to really focus on improving specific fundamental skill sets, and to practice intensely and efficiently by myself.”


The hard work certainly paid off at Acadia, where during Ted’s tenure of 5 years the team advanced to the CIAU Final 8 tournament for 4 consecutive years. The Axemen made it to the national semi-finals 3 of 4 years, including advancing to the Championship game in 1988 where they fell to Brandon University 81-66. “Playing against Brandon in the CIAU National Championship Game is very memorable but somewhat bittersweet, since we lost to a team that we had beaten that year and taken to overtime on another occasion. However, it was also a very valuable learning experience. I was in my second year in 1988, and that CIAU Final 8 tournament for me was essential to the success we would have over the next few years. Through experience, we were able learn to focus, handle pressure and play well in big games.”


Ted’s fondest basketball memory may be the last minute of the championship game of the AUAA in 1990 in the Halifax Forum. St. FX were heavily favored and Acadia had upset UPEI the day before in the semifinal. They were definitely underdogs. It was an incredibly scrappy, physical, low-scoring game and Ted had to hold All-Star center Richard Bella off the boards or they’d have a very hard time winning the game. In the end, Acadia played very disciplined offensively and were very tough defensively. With about a minute left, they were up by about 10 and trading free  throws with X. Ted said “at one point with the clock stopped with about 30 seconds to go, and about 4000 fans going crazy, it sank in that after 4 years of almost daily practice and dedication, we were about to realize our primary goal of an AUAA championship. It’s one of those frozen-in-time moments when your entire sports career flashes before you. I was very emotional and when  the buzzer sounded, the AUAA fans stormed the floor I was swept away in the moment. The following year we repeated in similar circumstances - but the ’90 championship game will always be special.” 


Putting on a Canadian uniform for the first time was obviously a once-in-alifetime thrill, another huge accomplishment for Byrne. Coaches are looking for players that can thrive through the schedule of international tournaments – often 4-5 games in 1 week. They saw that in Ted, who withstood the grueling 3 week National Team Tryout and didn’t fade as the days proceeded. “When you start with 30 of the best players in the country and after 3 weeks you’re still in the final group of 16 it can be pretty stressful knowing 4 more guys have to go. Getting the final nod from the Coach Guy Vetrie in ’90 – that I was on the final traveling squad going to the NBA summer league, – was absolutely... euphoric.” The next year Ted once again made the cut and won the right to represent Canada at the ’91 FISU games and the ‘91 Pan Am Games. Winning the Silver medal at the World FISU games in England was definitely a highlight. In the final they played against a very tough US team that included a lot of future NBA players, but coming away with a silver medal was still a significant accomplishment.


Ted was the first Newfoundlander to play professional basketball and the first Newfoundlander to play for the Canadian National Men’s Team. When evaluating his professional environment, he feels that overall level of the Swiss league when he played was not as high or intense as the AUAA late in the season. Nevertheless, as the only pro on his team there was always pressure to perform and to out-perform the pro on the other team. Ted was constantly leading by example, in practice and in games. Ted had a short, but solid professional career, with back injuries forcing him to rethink his priorities in 1997. In 1998 he retired from playing and enrolled in the University of New Brunswick where he completed an Engineering degree before moving back to Switzerland in 2002. Looking back on his professional experience, he observes “it opened an entirely new world for me from a cultural standpoint and changed my life in immeasurable ways that are completely unrelated to basketball.”

Anthony (Tony) Wakeham: Athlete/Builder 


Tony is a very prominent figure in Newfoundland and Labrador Basketball community. He’s career encompasses many years and many different roles. He began his playing career as a junior varsity athlete with Memorial University. He went on to play with the Memorial University Men’s Varsity team and then on to the  Senior Men’s League.


His success in basketball didn’t end there, he began coaching in 1980 and coached at the high school, provincial and University levels. His leadership prowess lead him to an executive role with the NLBA (president 1986-1990) and then on to Basketball Canada where he held roles as Vice President (1990-1993) and President (1994-1997).


Tony was first introduced to the game of basketball at Laval in Placentia under Mike Campbell in 1972. His real taste for the game came when attended Memorial University. He played from 1973-1979 with MUN and was coached by Frank Butler. After graduating Memorial with his Economics Degree, Tony wasn’t ready to hang up his sneakers just yet!!! He then played with Molson’s/Nova Physio in the Senior Men’s League that were the powerhouse of the league from 1979-1986. In his years as a player, he was known as a tenacious pick and roll player, great rebounder and was a true team player. This made him invaluable to any team he played with and also brought him 8 St. John’s Senior Men’s Championships and 7 Provincial Championships.


Towards the end of Tony’s playing days his basketball career took a shift from being a player to becoming a coach. Tony was a dedicated and passionate coach who paved the road for many NL players to go on to higher level of basketball. From 1983-1987 he coached the Provincial Men’s Basketball Team preparing the squad for the 1987 Canada Games. Wakeham, guided the 1987 Provincial Canada Games Men’s Basketball Team to a fifth-place finish at the 1987 Canada Games in Cape Breton. It was the best showing for the province in basketball at the Games. Being an effective coach is not only about technical prowess and knowing your X's and O's. It's also about providing the conditions for your players/team to develop and get to the next level... this is precisely why Tony was so good for Newfoundland Labrador Basketball and absolutely deserves to be in the NL Hall of Fame.


Many of Tony’ s players would not have gotten the attention of AUAA coaches coming out of high school if it were not for Tony and the ’87 Games rampup program. He was the key to getting so many NL players off the island. Unfortunately if you wanted to go further in hoops in the 80’s then you needed to move to the mainland. Innumerable hours were put in by Tony looking for sponsors, supporters, scheduling, practices, trips, etc. Indeed, he was tireless in this respect. Of course, all of this went on behind the scenes as his players were completely oblivious to all this effort. There were plenty of other Newfoundland players before this era that were capable, high-level AUAA players but Tony's efforts brought the level and visibility of NL basketball on par with that of the other provinces. The 5th place finish in Cape Breton for the ’87 Games was the summit. Sure, as players they worked hard for this, but the motor behind them all along was Tony. 


To go one step further... his efforts - given the fact that Ted Byrne, Jeff White, Blair White, Chris Mesher, (and more were to come) were starting to leave the island to play AUAA, 10 of the 12 players on the 1987 team went on to play at the AUAA or higher in their careers. This may have also been the catalyst that brought MUN back into the AUAA. As a result, since then (1990), both the men's and women's programs at MUN have been instrumental in raising the visibility and awareness of the game in NL, as well as the development of several very good  teams and players along the way. This has all been good for NL basketball as a whole and can be at least partially credited to Tony’s vision in 1984 to assemble a competitive team for the ’87 Games.


For his efforts Tony was awarded the Chris Griffin Memorial Award as coach of the year. Tony’s coaching career led him to Memorial University where he coached from Men’s Varsity Teams from 1988-1990. Tony’s involvement in the sport didn’t end with his coaching endeavors. With his leadership expertise and dedication to the sport he went on to become NLBA (president 1986-1990). One of his main objectives was to get more involvement from all areas of the province in basketball and to improve the sport at the minor levels. During his term there was an expansion of the minor tournament system. The minor tournament committee developed rules, regulations and procedures for the minor system that would be put in place so we could see our young basketball players develop in our province. A lot of this was possible with Browning Harvey coming on board as the major sponsor for the minor program.


Tony didn’t stop there, he had his sights set on making changes on the Basketball Canada front. He held the position of Vice President (1990-1993) and President (1994-1997). One of the biggest achievements the association accomplished with Tony at the helm was bringing together the NBA, Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Association, Canadian Inter-University Athletic Union, Canadian Colleges Athletic Association, Canadian Schools Sports Federation, Coaches’ Association and athlete representatives on the board. By coming together, it gave the sport one community with all different aspects covered. Tony was also a part of creating the Canadian Basketball alliance between Basketball Canada and Canada’s two NBA teams-the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies. Under this alliance, the inaugural Naismith Cup an annual pre-season game between the Raptors and Grizzlies honoring the inventor of basketball Dr. James Naismith, and in support of Basketball Canada and its programs was played. Two more major accomplishments as President was hosting World Championship in Toronto in 1994 and going to Olympics as head of delegation with the woman’s national team in Atlanta in 1996. For his accomplishment, Tony was selected Investors Group Executive of The Year in 1995.


Terry D. Burton


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2017 as a “Builder” 


I am pleased to stand here tonight to introduce one of Central Newfoundland’s finest builders of sport – Mr. Terry Burton of Gander. I met Terry while we were undergrads at MUN’s School of Physical Education in the late 70’s – I was a few years ahead of him in school. Terry started teaching in the Gander area around 1983 at the old Gander Junior High. It was in early 1990 that we renewed our friendship when I started teaching in the Central area as well. Terry Burton can be called the “Father of Basketball” in the Central Newfoundland area. As some of you may know, Central Newfoundland is known as Volleyball Country – that changed when Terry  took basketball, especially school basketball to start with, and made it popular over time in the Gander area. 


In 1990, Terry was a founding executive member of the Gander Basketball Association, a league that still exists today. He was also one of the founding members of the Central Newfoundland Association of Basketball officials in 1992 (It just celebrated its 25th Anniversary this past season). Terry held various executive positions with CNABO, including Vice-President, President and signing officer. Terry founded and coordinated the Gander Summer Minor Basketball program for many years, which provided valuable employment and leadership skills for the youth of Gander. He started the McDonalds Classic Basketball tournament, which today, is one of the longest running high school basketball tournaments in the province – this year was its 29th year of the tournament. This started as a boy’s tournament, and later expanded to a girl’s tournament as well.


Our honoured guest is also responsible for starting a Ladies scrimmage league in Gander on Monday nights. This league is composed of former high school players from the Central Newfoundland area, and others that wish to get out and get some exercise. A group from this league would compete in a Women’s tournament in Trepassey in the spring of each year. It has been noted that the Gander ladies competed in at least 4 of these tournaments, and had many fine memories from their participation.  The Town of Gander has honoured Terry Burton as well – three times they have bestowed the honour of Coach of the Year upon Mr. Burton. 


PROVINCIALLY

Terry successfully coached teams at St. Paul’s Intermediate and Gander Collegiate. His teams were always competitive – he coached his teams to 2 provincial SSNL titles and placed top 4 on a consistent basis. He also coached the Gander Men’s team in several provincial D2 tournaments. Terry was involved in organizing several NLBA minor and senior tournaments in Gander over the years. He was a member of the SSNL Hoopla Hosting committee in 1994, and a committee member of the 2002 Newfoundland – Labrador Winter Games hosted by Gander, where he also officiated Basketball for both the male and female competitions. NABO chose to honour Terry Burton on two occasions – in 2004, he was selected as the recipient of the Frank J King Award of Merit for his work as an official and administrator with CNABO. As well, in 2012, Terry was awarded the J.A. Wink Willox Award, from the Canadian Association of Basketball Officials (NABO is permitted 1 recipient per year) for his contributions to officiating in Newfoundland. To put this in perspective, he is one of 16 former or current NABO officials who have received this award. Terry also served as the President of the NLBA from 1997 until 2001. He stayed on the executive as Past President for several years after that.


NATIONALLY

As a Buider, Terry attended many AGM’s of Canada Basketball with Executiv Director Bill Murphy to advocate the NLBA’s position on “the state of the game” within Canada, in a time when the very survival of Canada Basketball was at its crossroads, and if the game would survive as a national entity within our country. As our Past-President, Terry was selected to be on the Mission staff during the 2003 Canada Winter Games in Bathurst – Campbellton, NB during February of that year. On a personal level, Terry officiated at the Eastern Canadian U15 Championships held in St. John’s in 1998, where he worked the Girls Gold Medal game. As a coach, he and his side kick at St. Paul’s Intermediate, Mr. Volleyball, Deon Goulding, organized a basketball exchange with student-athletes from a French speaking school in Quebec, under the Canadian Friendship and Sport Exchange program, which brings Francophone and Anglophone students together in an exchange of culture and sport.


INTERNATIONALLY

Terry and his sidekick, Mr. Goulding, organized and coached the Gander Collegiate boys’ basketball team in an International Basketball Competition in Havana, Cuba in 2008. This was an educational and team building experience for students as they learned and lived in another culture for a week. They also experienced how basketball is played and  officiated in another part of our hemisphere. This would have not been possible without Terry’s vision and leadership. Terry Burton has provided his time, experience, expertise and vision as a builder to the sport of basketball in various capacities, whether that be as coach, official, executive member or organizer, Terry Burton has left his mark on our sport, not only in Central Newfoundland, but in our province and the country as well. He is a worthy recipient to be inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2017.



James Walsh


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2017 as an “Official” 


Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to take the next few minutes to introduce one of the finest basketball officials of our time, if not the finest, Mr. Jim Walsh of St. John’s. I have had the pleasure of knowing Jim since the early 1970’s, and we have been good friends ever since. There are many adjectives to describe Jim Walsh as a basketball official – focused, prepared, uncanny, leader on and off the floor and so on. In an era where Officials camps were a pipe dream in Canada, and FIBA Cards for NABO Officials were non-existent, Jim dominated the local and provincial scene as a great floor official.


Jim started officiating in 1973- he was one of several young officials who came through Dr. Bill Redden’s recruitment group of young potential officials. Also included in that group was the current NABO President Fred Wakeham and others, who got their start in officiating at MUN Intramurals and Residence Basketball. Being a quick study of the game, Jim went on to work every available city league final over the next several years, including Grammar school, Junior High, High School and eventually all City Finals in Sr. Men’s and Women’s leagues – those were the days of the Normores, Taylors, Tobin’s, Murphy’s etc. Very good basketball players who demanded good officiating – and they got it with our honouree, Jim Walsh. Jim worked his first national championship at the young age of 18, when the NLBA hosted the Premier Men (U21) and Sr. Women’s tournament here is St. John’s in 1978. He was the youngest official in the tournament – and gave the rest of us young officials a goal to reach for. In total, Jim officiated 11 Canada Basketball/CCAA/AUS and CIS Championships over a 30+ years as an active floor official.


Jim worked the AUS Panel at MUN for many years and has many memories – He was featured in the Telegram in 1989 providing his interpretation of a call to Mark Elliott of Memorial, while Captain Bill Murphy tried to intercede. In the end – Jim’s interpretation carried the day – nice pic though! Jim was the most consistent floor official in the MUN University Panel for many years, and he earned the respect of both players and coaches from Memorial and from the visiting teams. On tossing then UNB Women’s coach, Joyce Slipp, on a Sunday morning after she had made a inappropriate remark to Jim, the only comment by Coach Slipp gave after the game was that “I crossed the line” and deserved the meted punishment.


In 2008, Jim retired as being an active floor official at Memorial University and then became one of two assigner-evaluators for the AUS MUN Panel – or as old fellas would call it, “The Pool.” He was assigned by the CABO Executive (which he is a member) to the National Evaluation Panel to assign and evaluate officials at National Championships. Including this past season, Jim has assigned 8 National caliber Championships, including the AUS Men and Women, CCAA Men and Women, and CIS Women’s. 


Jim has been an invaluable resource and mentor to young officials in the province aspiring to become elite officials. He leads by example to the officials he evaluates and to those he works with. He has shared his insights with our young officials wishing to move to the next level within the province, and within the country. Jim has been recognized for his efforts in officiating by both NABO and CABO. In 1998, CABO bestowed the J.A. Wink Willox Award to Jim at its Annual General Meeting in Montreal. In 2007, NABO honoured Jim with the Frank J. King Award of Merit for his service to officiating in Newfoundland.


Jim served on NABO’s executive for many years, and in many capacities – secretary-treasurer, President, Interpreter and for a brief period in 2005, our Provincial Supervisor. Starting in 1988, Jim attended the CABO National Council as Interpreter or Supervisor for NABO. This meeting was hosted in various provinces each year, where Jim advocated for NABO’s positions on matters of interest, but more importantly, for the state of officiating within the country. Prior to his next step on the National Level, then President of CABO Bill Crowley of B.C. sought Jim’s advice and counsel in some serious deliberations with Canada Basketball  under their “BE ONE” program. Jim attended many meetings as an advisor to the Executive of the day on issues that required his expertise and guidance under governance issues with CB.


It was at the Halifax Council meeting in 2005 that Jim took his talent as an administrator to the National Executive, where he successfully ran for VicePresident of CABO. In my capacity as Provincial Interpreter, I helped him work the room prior to the vote. One other member ran against him, and both gentlemen were given a chance to speak. I believe it was the few times since I’ve known Jim  that he was shaking while speaking. I asked him why after. He said “In my line of work, I can stand and advocate for others. In a room full of friends, it hard to advocate for yourself.” Jim went on to serve CABO as its Vice-President for 4 years, and in 2009 at the CABO AGM in St. John’s, he was elected President. It was in his capacity as President did Jim leave his greatest mark on CABO as an organization. Until his tenure, there had been a lack of dialogue and understanding between Canada Basketball and CABO. Jim set out to change this. In the words of Michele O’Keefe, President and CEO of Canada Basketball:


As President of CABO, Jim was very open-minded in regards to the relationship between CABO and Canada Basketball. He recognized that things needed to change as there was too much distance. CB approached Jim regarding a “technical summit” to discuss technical points of emphasis. CB technical staff recognized that the Canadian basketball stakeholders needed to work more closely together to bridge to technical gaps – travelling calls, off ball contact and interaction between coaches and officials during the game. A technical summit was held in Montreal in the summer of 2011 in conjunction with a CABO camp. It was an excellent first step. 


In May 2011, Canada Basketball hosted a Canadian Basketball Congress in Toronto. Jim was part of a panel speaking on Recruiting – Women and Visible Minorities.  At the May 2011 CB Annual General Meeting, it was approved to change the membership category for CABO to Active – same level as the Provincial/Territorial Sport Organizations. By his forward vision, Jim and the CABO executive made strides with Canada Basketball so now that CABO is a full partner in CB, and has the third largest membership outside of the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia.


Jim currently sits on the CABO executive as Past President. Ladies and gentlemen – there can be no doubt that Jim Walsh has left his mark as an official in many capacities – as an active floor official, an assigner-evaluator at the provincial, conference and national level, an administrator willing to show empathy and patience, yet willing to deal with the tough issues when need be. This he has done for officials in Newfoundland and at the National Council, first as a member of the council, and then as an executive member. When Jim speaks regarding issues on officiating – members listen. Now it is your turn. It is an honour to introduce to you, the 2017 Hall of Fame recipient in the Officials category, Mr. Jim Walsh . . . . .


Anne Browne - Athlete/Builder


[Slowly, clap, clap, encourage; clap faster, faster than interrupt clapping] We just participated in something basic but vital to developing athletes and successful programs. Leadership, positive modelling, coordinating, encouraging and finally that  push to compete “faster, higher, stronger”. These are traits found in all our inductees tonight and I could tell stories about all three and how they made our game better. But my role tonight is to present Anne Browne for induction into the Newfoundland and Labrador Basketball Hall of Fame as an Athlete/Builder.


Anne started basketball at Pius X School, and developed into a perennial all-star at the junior high and high school levels. And let's be clear she developed by practicing --the other day she recalled staying at the gym in her Pius X days one Saturday and practicing left hand lay-ups for 5 hours with friends like Mary Mandeville - a work ethic to get better at 12! As a member of the powerhouse Holy Heart of Mary school team, she went on to claim the 4A championship in each year of her high school career. She continued on to co-captain the Memorial University team from 1976 1981 in the AUS league. 


I read two recent messages from Glenn Taylor (CIS Coach) and Karen Murphy (MUN Athletic Director) Glenn said: “Anne was a dedicated player who made a major contribution to the development of MUN’s Women’s Varsity program. She was a coach on the floor, a tenacious defender she still managed to average 10 points per game and grab 3 rebounds as a guard and I told her she had to pass the ball inside in those pre-3 point shot days!” Karen Murphy commented: “You have made such an impact on the basketball community first as a player and then as a coach and builder. The impact you have had on the countless young women you have coached is huge. Memorial is proud to count you as our alumni”. Anne was also a recipient of the MUN Athletic Honor Society Award. 


Anne was an elite multi-sport athlete. She played Canada Games Field Hockey and represented the Province in U14 & U16 tennis competitions. Anne played varsity field hockey and basketball while attending MUN, earning a Math degree. She was an alternate on the 1975 and a key player on the 1979 Canada Games Teams. She went through her university career with no major injuries and never missed a game - maybe some luck but mostly due to preparation, fitness and body awareness. She understood the individual responsibility of preparation before it was in vogue and monitored by various strength & conditioning coaches, physiotherapists, psychologists and all the other team members that help today's elite athletes. Later she competed with the provincial senior women’s team from 1977- 1982. Anne also displayed her talent, work ethic, and passion in the St. John’s Women’s Division 1 League earning several championships and individual accolades. Everybody wants to win….but as Zig Ziglar said, “You must plan to win, prepare to win and expect to win” Anne did that as an athlete and a coach. 


She began her coaching career in Trepassey at Stella Maris in 1982 before moving on to St. Kevin’s and eventually Holy Heart where she coached until 1993. Her teams won several SSNL and NLBA championships during this span. She also coached at St. Bon’s, MacDonald Drive and Gonzaga High School. Once again she continued to display her coaching skills claiming several city, 4A and NLBA minor championships.


As I reflected on her coaching successes I believe Anne’s best quality is her ability to provide a vision that attracted, nurtured and developed the talent around her. I recall how she convinced Loyola Sullivan and Don Walsh in Trepassey to take on more and more roles and provide more support to get the girls the competition they needed to compete. Her ability to bring parents into the team in a positive, productive role that increased her community reach, elevated her team's performances and solidified her community connection is inspirational. The proof is really in the continued connection she has with so many ex-players and their families. She quickly rhymed off where about twenty ex-players and their personal life situations the other night…...simply amazing. And many of the local ones still drop off cakes and cookies to her house during holidays -- now that’s a coaching legacy!


One of her biggest contributions to the sport was the development of some of the provinces top athletes and basketball players including: Anne Marie Tobin, Tammy Pennell, Lauren Hawkins, Rebecca Langmead, Judy Dobbin, Shauna Gilpin, Kieley DeLong, current MUN players Rosie Stanoev, Jane Baird, Kelsey McGrath, just to name a few. Many went on to play at the university level and several have also developed into successful coaches across the country. Beyond the competitive drive that produced winning teams -- like the time Anne believed poor focus meant Gonzaga lost a doubleheader to Laval so they stayed and ran sprints  for 20 minutes AFTER the games…...well beyond that…..she has shown a much softer side. 


Over the years Anne has opened her home to athletes and potential MUN athletes during the recruiting process. Her generosity and kindness continued as they stayed in the province and often referred to her as their “Newfoundland mother”. She was an extremely gifted but prepared high level athlete, a visionary coach, reliable cheerleader, loving Mom, mentor, counsellor and cook.


Mary Taylor


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2019 as a ‘Athlete / Builder’


Mary Taylor utilized great natural skill and talent which was well supported by her determination and drive to put a tremendously successfully career together. Between the late 1960’s and the late 1990’s she was regarded as one of the best female players within the province while contributing a great deal as a coach at various levels of competition.


During her high school athletic career Mary was rated by many as the top female athlete in the province, participating in track, basketball and volleyball. Being a highly motivated athlete who was capable of performing at extreme physical levels, she was particularly praised for her exceptional endurance in the running events.


Basketball however played a major role in the scholarship she received from Acadia University and for four seasons she ranked not only with the best on her team but the best players in the Atlantic Intercollegiate female basketball. The recognition she received for this aspect of her career demonstrated the high level at which she played.


Mary was a perennial all-star; she led a variety of teams to League Championships in the highly competitive St. John’s Senior League. During her 24-year career in the league she earned an impressive number of individual awards from her drive and determination.


While her intense coaching contributions started as a physical education teacher at Mount Pearl Central High School, it eventually included Canada Games, Nationals championships and Provincial championships. Mary was as fine a coach, as she was a player.

Joanne MacDonald


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2019 as a ‘Athlete’


Joanne MacDonald, originally from St. Mary’s Bay is one of the most decorated wheelchair athletes in Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada. Joanne first got involved in wheelchair sports in 1972, excelling in numerous sports including wheelchair basketball, table tennis and track. Over the course of a stellar career as a member of women’s national wheelchair basketball team, Joanne competed in numerous Paralympic and International competitions including the Paralympic Games in 1976, 1980 and 1984 as well as the Pan AM Games and numerous other international events.


Locally and nationally she was honored for her achievements. A few notable awards were the Newfoundland and Labrador Wheelchair Sports Association Provincial Female Athlete of the Year from 1973 to 1979, the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association Athlete of the Year in 1976, the Newfoundland and Labrador Female Athlete of the Year in 1978 and in 1980 being named the Newfoundland and Labrador Athlete of the 70's. Joanne has been inducted to the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame in 1993 and to the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association Hall of Fame in 2018.


Joanne has worked hard to develop wheelchair sports as she held positions in the local wheelchair sport organizations. She was a tireless fund raiser, responded to all community requests and was a guest speaker at numerous events. Joanne's love of competition, her community involvement, and her dedication to wheelchair sport have all left a lasting legacy in the world of sport throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Dave Constantine


Inducted into the NLBA Hall of Fame in 2019 as a ‘Builder’


David Constantine was born in St. John’s and grew up on Flower Hill and Southside Rd. David is a “corner boy” from town and is proud of it. He attended Holy Cross and Br. Rice High School, graduating in 1974. In 1981 he graduated from MUN with a conjoint degree in Physical Education and Education. He began teaching in September 1983 at Laval and was there his entire career. David has always been a believer that teachers should become involved in the school and the community at large and he did just that especially with his involvement with basketball.


Dave has over twenty years’ experience coaching at various levels within the School Sports Newfoundland and Labrador system and NLBA system. Dave coached at the Provincial Level, coaching at the U15 and U17 levels bringing both male and female teams form the Province to Nationals from 1998-2007. Coach Constantine coached Laval High School Boys basketball team to three 3A Boys Provincial Championships on three separate occasions and has been a huge piece of the basketball program at Laval High. Dave has organized and instructed at numerous basketball camps for the Placentia YBC Minor Basketball Association, Memorial University, and the NLBA. Dave was a member of the National Basketball Coaching Advisory Committee (2004 – present), a Master Learning Facilitator for Canada Basketball, he has served as Vice President of Newfoundland and Labrador Basketball Association (2004 –2014), was the NLBA Minor Development Director – 6 years, NLBA Minor Coaching Development Director– 4 years. He has received numerous awards including: PESIC Merit Award (2003), Newfoundland and Labrador High School Athletic Federation - Service Award (1993), Newfoundland and Labrador High School Athletic Federation Recognition Award (1992), NLBA President’s Award (2004 & 1996), NLBA Achievement Award (1994), NLBA Minor Coach of the Year (1995), National Physical Education Teaching Excellence Award (2007), and NLTA Barnes Award (2011).

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