One of my most memorable trips as “Voice of The UNA Lions” came in 1991 when Gary Elliott’s team captured the Division II basketball National Championship. The Elite Eight Tournament was held in Springfield, Massachusetts—home of the Basketball Hall Of Fame.

Although winning the National Championship was far better than anything else that weekend—another thrilling moment was when I toured the Hall Of Fame. It was indescribable. Walking back through history via video clips, souvenirs and gigantic photo moments of some of the greatest players to ever play the game was like a trip for a kid to the candy store for me.

It would take a book to write about all of the thrills I received during my tour. One item I’ll never forget is the emblazoned bronze size 22 shoe worn by Bob Lanier—to this day the largest shoe worn by any player in NBA history— and that’s no “small feat.”

Biographies included the history of the New York Rens—an all-black team first formed in 1922. There was no better team in the country between 1932 and 1936 when the Rens compiled a record of 473- 49. The Rens prided themselves on their stamina and were also proud of the fact that they never called a timeout.

Billed as the fastest man in the game in that day— “Fat” Jenkins led their fast break. The Rens reached their peak in 1939 when they won the first World Tournament in Chicago by beating the Oshkosh All- Stars 34-25.

Another interesting story was that of James Naismith, the inventor of the game itself. The Canadian native was born during the Civil War in 1861 and also became a minister, doctor, educator, physical education teacher and basketball coach. Naismith served with the YMCA in France during World War I.

Legend has it, Naismith’s first basketball basket was a peach basket that was nailed to his family’s barn. Regardless, he had the thrill of seeing the sport grow from an idea in 1891 to an international sport. I could go on and on, but like I said—it would take a book to hold all the stories. But, one thing’s for sure— for me, it was an unforgettable journey.

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