Hall of Fame

Ontario Basketball Hall of Fame logo

About

The Ontario Basketball Hall of Fame was inaugurated in 1999 with the induction of Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of the game of basketball.

Inductees are honoured at the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony every two years (2014, 2016, 2018, etc.).

Nomination Criteria

Eligibility

Any person who has achieved an outstanding standard of excellence in basketball is eligible for nomination as an honoured member of the Ontario Basketball Hall of Fame in one of the following categories:

  • Athletes
  • Coaches
  • Builders
  • Teams
  • Officials

Nominees must be residents of Ontario or have been born in Ontario or made their distinguished contribution to the game of basketball in Ontario.

Membership Categories

The five categories of membership in the Ontario Basketball Hall of Fame are defined as follows:

Athletes

Athletes are competitors who, while Canadian citizens living in Ontario, have participated at an elite level and have achieved outstanding and extraordinary success as a competitor in the sport of basketball. Voting for athletes must be based on their record, playing ability, integrity, character, sports-like conduct, and contributions to the teams on which they played and contributions to the game of basketball in general. Athletes must be retired from active duty at their highest level (i.e., provincial team, national team, etc.) for at least five years in order to be eligible for entry.

Coaches

Coaches are individuals whose efforts and expertise in the development and training of basketball athletes have made an outstanding and extraordinary contribution to the sport of basketball in Ontario, resulting in the promotion and development of the game of basketball in Ontario, nationally, or internationally. Coaches must be retired from active duty for at least two years, or be 60 years of age or older, or have 25 years of coaching experience in order to be eligible for entry.

Builders

Builders are individuals who have made outstanding and extraordinary contributions towards the promotion, development and advancement of basketball in Ontario, and they may include (but are not limited to) administrators, officials, trainers, managers, coaches, therapists, etc. Builders are exempt from specific timelines with respect to entry.

Teams

Teams are basketball teams made up of Canadian athletes living in Ontario who represented an Ontario or Canadian organization or corporation that accomplished outstanding and extraordinary results that have brought prominence to the sport of basketball in Ontario and Canada. Teams must be at least five years removed from their milestone in order to be eligible for entry.

Officials

Officials are individuals whose efforts and expertise in the development and training of basketball officials and/or in the performance of their duties as officials have exhibited outstanding and extraordinary skill, expertise and commitment resulting in the promotion and development of the game of basketball in Ontario, nationally, or internationally. Officials must be retired from active duty for at least two years, or one year if 65 or older, in order to be eligible for entry.

For additional information, review the Hall of Fame Policies & Procedures.

Nominations

Nomination Period

Nominations for the Class of 2020 have been postponed due to COVID-19. Ontario Basketball will notify its members when the process will continue.

Nomination Form

The following information is required to submit a nomination:

  1. Category of Nomination: Athlete, Coach, Builder, Team, or Official
  2. Nominee Information: name, address and contact information (or alternate contact if nominee is deceased)
  3. Nominator Information: name, address and contact information
  4. One-Page Summary describing the rationale for the nomination, including a summary of the nominee’s accomplishments and contributions in basketball

Nominators are encouraged to include additional documents that demonstrate the nominee’s background, achievements and contributions in basketball. Supporting documents could include: basketball resume, list of awards received, letters of support, impact letters, and published articles.

Nominators can submit their nomination online using the SmartSheet nomination form.

Hall of Fame Nomination Form

Inductees

Class of 2018

Athlete: Bill Coulthard
Athlete: Darren Thomas
Coach: Ken Murray
Official: Gene Schaaf

Class of 2018 Summary

Class of 2016

Athlete: Susan Stewart
Official: Patricia Laing

Class of 2016 SummaryInduction Ceremony Recap

Class of 2014

Class of 2012

Class of 2010

Class of 2008

Athlete: Hank Biasatti
Athlete: Romel Raffin
Builder: Doug Harrison
Official: Don Cline
Official: Bob Little
Official: Al Rae

Class of 2006

Athlete: Carol Hamilton-Goodale
Athlete
: Barry Howson
Athlete: Debbie Huband
Builder: Bob Gage
Builder
: Bernie Offstein
Coach: Earl Begg

Class of 2004

Athlete: James Russell
Athlete: Pat Tatham
Athlete: Misty Thomas
Builder: Marvin Pearl
Coach: Peter Ennis
Coach: Al Quance

Class of 2002

Athlete: Norman Clarke
Athlete/Coach: Don McCrae
Athlete/Coach: Dr. Paul Thomas
Coach: James Rose
Official: Ron Foxcroft

Class of 2000

Athlete: Chris Critelli
Athlete: Leo Rautins
Athlete: Jay Triano
Builder: Ted Earley
Coach: Jack Donohue
Official: Kitch MacPherson

Class of 1999

Contact

Bianca Bohn
Coordinator, Membership & Events