Hall of Fame welcomes 55th induction class
(New Castle) – The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame welcomes their 55th class of inductees and honors other Indiana boys’ high school basketball legends on March 23 in ceremonies to be held at Primo Banquet Hall in Indianapolis.
Highlighting the evening’s ceremony, 14 men will be inducted into the Hall, recognized with the highest honor bestowed in Indiana high school basketball.
Among individuals to be inducted are Indiana boys high school basketball all-time leading scorer, state champion, Indiana Mr. Basketball and 1990 National High School Player of the Year, Damon Bailey (Bedford North Lawrence 1990), and the consensus 1993 National College Player of the Year and longtime NBA player, Calbert Cheaney (Evansville Harrison 1989). Each had notable careers playing for Indiana University.
Willie Humes (Madison 1967) set impressive scoring records at Madison High School, Vincennes University and Idaho State University, Tom Bowman (Martinsville 1959) graduated as the all-time leading scorer at Butler University and Butch Wade (Columbus 1963) set numerous records, including career scoring, at Indiana State University.
Terry Stillabower (Lafayette Jeff 1964) was a star of the Bronchos’ 1963 state finalists and 1964 state champion squad, Brad Miley (Rushville 1976) set the IHSAA state finals rebounding record and was a member of the 1979 NCAA national finalist Indiana State University Sycamores. Each were Indiana All-Stars.
Russ Grieger (Evansville Bosse 1960) was a starter for Evansville College’s 29-0 1965 national champion squad, Bill Hahn (Michigan City Elston 1959) was a noted player and won 246 games as an Indiana high school coach, Jim Fisher (Lebanon 1979) was an all-state player at Lebanon and Joe Todrank (Holland 1956) followed an outstanding playing career as a successful Southern Indiana high school coach.
The late Hank Clason (Goshen 1938) was a local standout who became an all-Big Ten player at Northwestern University.
The recipient of this year’s Centennial Award to recognize contributions to Indiana high school basketball from 100 or more years ago is Bill Diddel (Indianapolis Manual, 1904) who is inducted posthumously. Diddel was a star of outstanding Manual H.S. teams that won games throughout the Midwest and continued his career as a member of Wabash College’s 1908 “Wonder Five” team that went 24-0 and were declared World Champions by numerous media outlets of the time.
Indiana Pacers 2016 Silver Medal Award recipient Mike Blake is inducted for his 40+ year career in Evansville television with a distinguished career covering high school sports as well as his numerous charitable community involvements.
Three men – Ken Gorrell of Franklin, Rex Nichols of Mooresville and the late Jim Schwenk of Jasper – will be recognized with the Center Circle Officials Award.
18 men will be recognized as members of the 2016 Silver Anniversary Team – acknowledging their spot as one of the top senior basketball players in Indiana 25 years ago.
The 1966 Michigan City Elston team will be recognized for the 50th anniversary of their state championship, the 1991 Gary Roosevelt team will be honored on the 25th anniversary of their state championship and the 1916 Lafayette Jeff Bronchos will be remembered 100 years after their state championship win.
A very limited number of seats remain for the event, which will draw a crowd of over 1,100. Cost for the event, including a 6:00 PM dinner, is $50 for adults. Reservations may be made by calling (765) 529-1891.
A reception – open to the public and free of charge – will take place at the Hall of Fame museum in New Castle between 11:00 AM (ET) and 1:00 PM on March 23.