Isaac
Years ago
BA inducts greats into Hall of Fame
Basketball Australia is honoured to announce the 14 individuals last night inducted into the 2007 Basketball Australia Hall of Fame.
The third Hall of Fame dinner saw the inductees from across all areas of basketball including athletes, officials, coaches and contributors recognised for their remarkable impact on the sport in this country.
Themed 'Celebrating 50 years of Opals in World Championships', the 1957 Opals team, the first ever female team to represent Australia at a World Championship, and members of the 2006 Australian Defence Force Opals World Champion team were the evening's special guests.
Basketball Australia also extends the honour of Legend to one of the Hall of Fame's existing inductees with 2004 inductee the late Dr John Raschke elevated to legend status.
The 2007 Basketball Australia Hall of Fame inductees are:
Legend
Dr John Raschke (dec)
Players
Kevin Coombs
Karen Dalton
Lorraine Eiler
Inga Freidenfelds
Eddie Palubinskas
Rachael Sporn
Coaches
Barry Barnes
Keith Miller
Contributors
Frank Angove (dec)
Norma Connolly
Bob Elphinston
Arthur McRobbie (dec)
Officials
Henry Perazzo
Avis Scullin
On behalf of Basketball Australia, the Deputy Chair of BA made a special presentation to FIBA President Bob Elphinston in celebration of FIBA's 75th Anniversary year.
Basketball Australia also honoured the tireless work of the sports many volunteers and hard working associations.
The 1957 Opals: Nancy Hill, Pat Hoban, Nita Burke, Joy Dundon, Eril Drennan, Bronte Russell, Lorraine Eiler and Melva Hancock.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Fred Van Dongen
Medium Association Award (501 2,500 registered members)
Hornsby Basketball Association (NSW)
Large Association Award (2,500+ registered members)
Knox Basketball Association (VIC)
Volunteer Awards
Contribution to the Extension of Basketball Sally Duncan (VIC)
Contribution to Administration/Management Brian Franklin (ACT)
Contribution to Coaching Peter Robertson (TAS)
Contribution to Officiating Sandra Mottram (NSW)
And more details on some of the inductees:
Inductee Background information:
Dr John Raschke Legend
It was John Raschke's vision and drive that saw the dream of a national men's basketball league become reality in 1979. Much is owed to the founding father of the NBL, who operated as its Chairman between 1979 and 1982 and as its Commissioner until 1984.
As a player he represented Newcastle, New South Wales and Australian Universities with distinction before beginning his coaching career in 1965 with the New South Wales Open Men's side, before progressing to the national team in 1970 and leading them to Australia's first World Championship appearance in Yugoslavia that year. He was elected President of Basketball New South Wales in 1974, a position he held for sixteen years, and between 1972 and 1982 he was the President of the Australian Basketball Federation.
He is a life member of Basketball Newcastle, Basketball NSW and the NBL and in 1982 he was inducted as a Life Member of Basketball Australia. For his tireless work and fearless dedication to Australian basketball, John was awarded an Order of Australia.
Kevin Coombs Player
Kevin Coombs has been synonymous with wheelchair basketball in Australia for over 40 years, representing at five Paralympic Games, including two as captain of the Rollers.
His remarkable ball skills and pinpoint passing commanded respect from his peers and his devastating shooting ability struck fear into his opponents; never more evident than when he led Australia to a Silver Medal at the 1974 Commonwealth Games and two Gold's at the 1977 and 1982 FESPIC games.
Kevin has been an ambassador for the National Indigenous Strategy for Literacy and Numeracy as well as the Sydney Paralympic Games in 2000 and is one of only nine people to have an avenue in the Sydney Olympic Park in his name. In 1988 he was honoured with an Order of Australia for his lifetime of service to sport and the community.
Karen Dalton Player
Karen Dalton represented Australia on 342 occasions as both a player and coach at junior and senior level, including the 1984 Opals team that was the first women's basketball team to represent Australia at an Olympic Games.
She participated in four World Championships, two Olympic Games and almost 40 tours over her 14 year international playing career before becoming an Assistant Coach with the Opals for the 2004 Athens Games.
Domestically, Dalton was a 2-time Defensive Player of the Year in the WNBL and with 375 games and a WNBL life membership, she is now head coach of the Sydney Uni Flames.
In 1988 Karen and brothers' Mark and Brad Dalton became the first brother and sister to represent Australia in the same sport at the same Olympic Games. Off-court she has dedicated countless hours to teaching and promoting basketball in schools and associations.
Lorraine Eiler Player
In 1957, Lorraine Eiler was captain of the first Opals team to represent Australia at a World Championship and is a pioneer of women's basketball in Australia. A splendidly talented athlete known for her inspirational leadership, smart play and natural athleticism, Eiler self-financed her 1957 journey to Brazil, and was rewarded after the tournament by being the first ever Australian woman to gain a scholarship to an American University.
She was also an A grade tennis player, played squash for South Australia, and represented Australia in netball. Incredibly, Lorraine only started playing basketball a mere three years before her historic selection as Opals captain.
Inga Freidenfelds Player
Latvian born Inga Freidenfelds learned to play basketball in a Displaced Persons Camp in Europe in 1946. After immigrating to Australia as a fifteen year old in 1950, he made his senior debut for South Australia as a 19-year old in 1954.
Following the 1955 Australian Championships he was selected to the 1956 Olympic team as captain. At 21 years of age, he is still the youngest captain of an Australian Olympic Basketball Team in our history. A true gentleman of the game, he was South Australian Basketballer of the Year three times during the 1950s and remained in highest esteem up to and beyond his retirement in the mid 1960s.
Eddie Palubinskas Player
Sweet-shooting Eddie Palubinskas is one of Australian basketball's most colourful personalities. He represented Australia at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich and finished second in the tournament for most points before going one better at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, where he led all scorers.
He was the first Australian to make an impact on the American college scene and while playing for Louisiana State University, became the highest percentage free throw shooter in America. When the Atlanta Hawks selected him in 1974, Eddie became the first Australian basketball player drafted to the NBA. In retirement he became one of the world's leading shooting coaches even spending time working with Shaquille O'Neal.
Rachael Sporn Player
Rachael Sporn represented Australia at three Olympic Games, winning two Silver Medals and one Bronze as part of a core group of athletes that stamped the Australian Opals firmly on the world basketball map. She was the Basketball Australia Female International Player of the Year in 1993 and is a seven-time WNBL All-star five member, five-time league champion and two-time league MVP.
She is the all-time leading points scorer and rebounder in WNBL history and continues to hold the league record for most rebounds in a game, with 27. She was drafted to the WNBA by the Detroit Shock in 1998 and went on to play 71 games in that league.
Barry Barnes - Coach
Barry Barnes enjoyed a highly prestigious national and international coaching career for over 20 years. After establishing his reputation as a junior coach he progressed to the NBL where he coached for 12 successful years and was named Coach of the Year in his 1980 Rookie season.
He became assistant coach of the 1985 national men's team that claimed an historical fourth place at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul and sixth at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona before becoming head coach in 1993.
After 172 games as an assistant coach, he led the Boomers on a further 172 occasions and amassed an amazing 119 wins, highlighted by consecutive fourth place finishes at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. A Life Member of the Australian Coaches Association, he was awarded the Basketball Australia Merit Award in 1996.
Keith Miller - Coach
Keith Miller enjoyed a distinguished playing career that saw him awarded the inaugural Woollacott Medal in 1947 as the best and fairest player in the South Australian men's competition, but it is as a coaching pioneer and innovator that he will be remembered most.
He coached the South Australian men's team between 1960 and 1964 and won three State titles and began coaching the Australian men's team in 1962. He led them to contest the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, where the team finished ninth.
Keith has been made a Life Member of West Adelaide Basketball Club, the Metropolitan Amateur Basketball Association and the South Australian Amateur Basketball Association.
In 1981 he was the deserved recipient of an Australian Basketball Union Merit Award.
Frank Angove - Contributor
The late Frank Angove was one of the finest team managers in the history of Australian basketball. He managed twenty-six South Australian teams as well as the 1962 and 1972 men's Olympic teams and the 1974 World Championship teams.He was integral in developing basketball infrastructure, building the Forestville Stadium, the first ever in Australia built specifically for basketball.
A Basketball Australia Life Member, Frank was also the inaugural inductee to the South Australia Hall of Fame. After more than 40 years dedication to basketball, he was honoured with an Order of Australia in 1980 for his services to the sport.
Norma Connolly Contributor
Norma Connolly has coached countless teams to State and National Junior Age Championships. She was head coach of the National Junior Development Program for North Queensland, the Queensland Academy of Sport and the Queensland Under-16 and Under-18 women's teams for over 20 years.
Norma was manager of the Australian Gems at the 1993, 1997, and 2001 World Championships, winning one Gold and one Silver Medal. The founding Head Coach of the Townsville State High School basketball program, she is a life member of Mackay Basketball and has the Under-16 women's National Junior Championship trophy named in her honour.
Bob Elphinston Contributor
Bob Elphinston was a pioneer in the development of Australian basketball and is today one of the most influential men in world basketball through his role as President of FIBA.
He was behind the development of Association representative basketball, a member of the formative Board of the National Basketball League, Secretary General of the Australian Olympic Federation, and a foundation President of the Australian Basketball Coaches Association.
He was manager of the Boomers at 38 events, including the 1982 World Championship in Colombia and the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Bob was pivotal in establishing the NSW State Sports Centre and in the successful bid for the 2000 Olympic Games.
Arthur "Mac" McRobbie Contributor
Arthur McRobbie became a foundation member of Basketball WA in 1946. He went on to become its Secretary for two years, Vice President for a further four years and then President for four more years.
He was a State Selector, Coach, Team Manager, Official Rules Interpretor, Referee Coach, Referee and an Administrator, and was elected as the first Life Member of Basketball WA.
He was the Manager of the Men's Olympic Basketball Team in Mexico in 1968 and was made a Life Member of Basketball Australia in 1975.
He played an integral role in the development of the Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium, where the main grandstand is named in his honour, he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 1982 for his service to sport, and continues to have the Under-20 women's National Championship trophy named in his honour.
Henry Perazzo - Official
Henry Perazzo is one of the most outstanding officials to have ever represented Australia in international competition. He officiated at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne and the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome and gained the respect of officials and administrators across the globe.
Officiating in an era where there was little structure for the education of referees, he taught by example and successfully mentored and developed many young referees to great heights. After retiring from on court duties, he became a referee adviser in Victoria through to the late 1970s and is a life member of the Victorian Basketball Referees Association.
Avis Scullen - Official
Avis Scullen began as a referee in 1974 and has been involved ever since. She was involved with the Australia Games in 1985, the 1986 and 1998 Gold Cups in Melbourne and Sydney, the 1997 FIBA World Under 23 Men's Championship and was a technical official at the 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In 1989 she led an initiative to develop a National Score Table Committee which was successfully established in 1990, and for which she worked as Secretary for many years.
She was President of the Diamond Valley Basketball Association for nearly a decade, becoming the first female to hold such a position in Metropolitan Victoria.She was also Commissioner of the South East Australian Basketball League for sixteen years from 1982 until 1998.
Fred Van Dongen Lifetime Acheivement
Fred Van Dongen shaped the basketball landscape of Brisbane.
He was elected treasurer of Brisbane Basketball Incorporated in the 1960s, continued his involvement until 2007 as a committee member and is rightfully now a Life Member.
Co-founder of the Brisbane Bullets, Fred was team manager from 1979 to 1994 and was inducted as a life member in 2000.
He was a Delegate for the Brisbane Blazers in the Women's National Basketball League in the 1980s and ran the Brisbane Basketball Association for sixteen years from 1988 to 2004.
In 2002 he received a Queensland Sports Federation Service to Sport Award and in 2004 was honoured as both the Queensland Basketball Administrator of the Year and the Basketball Australia Administrator of the Year.
