Jay-Jay Manners
Years ago
A New Way To Honour Former 36ers Players
The inconsistent, slap-dash way in which the Sixers have honoured former players at The Dome has always bothered me. Some former player jerseys have been hung on the wall but it seems the number itself wasn't retired. For a while there the jerseys seemed to be half falling off the wall and wasn't fixed for a long time. Then they were gone all together.
I think its time the Sixers implemented a system and stuck with it. I suggest a two tiered system.
The first tier should be the permeant retiring of jersey numbers. This is one of the great ways to honour former players. Personally I think Al Green, Darryl Pearce, Mark Davis and Brett Maher should have their jerseys put up on the wall and the number should be retired for good. These four players, at least in my mind, best represent the 36ers proud history, are four the greatest players to ever play in the NBL and either played all their careers with the 36ers or the largest/best part of it.
The second tier wouldn't involve the honour of having a number retired but recognition for players who played a long time for the Sixers without reaching the lofty heights of the four greats. This could also include imports who didn't play long enough to warrant having their jersey retired but deserve some kind of recognition. I suggest a "Wall Of Honour" which would include the players name, their jersey number and a photo of them playing. This could include players like Mike McKay, Scott Ninnis, Darnell Mee, Kevin Brooks, Bill Jones. Maybe Peter Ali, Rupert Sapwell, among others.
Perhaps the championship winning coaches (Ken Cole and Phil Smyth) could be included on the wall too.
What do you think of this idea?
