Latest

MacCulloch, Hutchens, Abernathy, Spack, Hazell, Part of ’09 Induction Class

Published by CROWN staff on May 15, 2009

The Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame today formally announced the names of the players, builders and teams that will be part of the Hall’s induction class for 2009. The three Athletes include former NBA player Todd MacCulloch, early 1990′s Wesmen stand-out Andrea Hutchens and Brandon Bobcat star Jerry Abernathy from the late 1970′s. Those joining the Hall in the Builder category include Mike Spack and Bob Hazell. The two teams being inducted are the 1996 Brandon Bobcats Men’s national championship team and the Warren Collegiate Wildcats Varsity Girls 5 provincial championship teams ranging from 1992 and 1997. The group will be officially inducted into the MBHOF on Saturday October 3, 2009 at the Victoria Inn in Winnipeg. The Hall of Fame also officially unveiled the recently installed hardwood floor renovation at the physical site located at the University of Winnipeg Duckworth Centre (400 Spence Street in Winnipeg). The upgrade comes as part of the very generous donations by Big Sky Enterprises (Shawn Atamanchuk) of Headingly, MB and Fabris-Milano (Rick Watts) of Winnipeg. The basketball floor includes a history of the ‘key’ with three different floor markings that the sport of basketball has used over the past 100+ years. Keep reading for more on the inductees and photos from the news conference…

Congratulations to the newest inductees to the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame. The official induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at the Victoria Inn. Ticket information will be released soon.

ATHLETES :

Todd MacCulloch – Shaftesbury High School (MHSAA Provincial ‘AAAA’ Champions, 1992-93 & 93-94) ; University of Washington (NCAA) 1995-99 ; Philadelphia 76’ers and New York Nets (NBA) 1999-2003 ; Canadian National Team, 1998 World Championships and 2000 Olympics
Andrea Hutchens – University of Winnipeg Wesmen ; two-time CIS All-Canadian, 19993-94 & 1994-95 ; member of three CIS National Championship teams ;
Jerry Abernathy – Brandon University Bobcats ; two-time CIS (CIAU) All-Canadian, 1979-80 & 1980-81 ; three-time GPAC All-Star ; CIAU National Tournament All-Star

BUILDERS :

Mike Spack – the first person to be inducted as a player (1988), a team member and a builder ; involved in basketball for almost 65 years as a player, coach, official, and administrator ; coached at all levels in Winnipeg and Brandon from high school to university (BU Bobcat women) ; first-ever commissioner of the Manitoba Association of Basketball Officials ; first-ever basketball commissioner for the Manitoba Secondary Schools Athletic Association (now MHSAA) ; revived the Brandon Senior Men’s league ; introduced provincial masters play ; after retirement as a professor at Brandon University organized basketball clinics for Grades 4-6 at YMCA
Bob Hazell – coached for 48 years in Manitoba ; the only Manitoban to coach at all levels – junior high, high school (Glenlawn Collegiate), senior men’s, provincial teams, international, and WMBA ; coached St. Andrews Super Saints, Canadian Senior Men’s national champions, 1975 & 1976 ; coach of Manitoba gold medal team in first Western Canada Summer Games, 1975 ; coach of St. Andrews on 6 win / 1 loss tour of France, 1978

TEAMS :

Brandon University Bobcats Men’s Team – CIS National Champions in 1995-96 – watch the full Classic Game
Warren Collegiate Wildcats Varsity Girls Teams – MHSAA Provincial Champions five consecutive years, ‘AA’ in 1992-93, 93-94, 94-95, & 95-96 and ‘AAA’ in 1996-97

For More information and sights of the event, visit www.basketballmanitoba.ca

Readers Rating: