GREATER Shepparton Basketball Association (GSBA) celebrated its 50 + 5 dinner on Saturday, November 23, with roughly 90 past players, coaches, referees, and volunteers from the old 1969 Drill Hall days to the present, gathering for the special night.
The night was filled with nostalgia, with 10 large posters depicting 55 years of basketball history as GSBA unveiled the Passed Persons Honour Board and the Life Members’ Honour Board. The Passed Honour Board was a moving moment for those players present on the night who saw their deceased parents recognised.
A beautiful commentary cake made by Sandra Dodd (the mother of Gator Nick Dodd) was cut by Shepparton’s own Rodger Smith and local Gator Tom Frame. Rodger played College Basketball in America from 1989 to 1992 and NBL with the Brisbane Bullets then Gold Coast Cougars for 12 seasons with NBL until 2001.
The highlight of the night was a Zoom call with the legendary Julie Gross (now Staudenmier) Julie was the regions first ever Australian Women’s basketballer to play American College basketball and represented Australia.
“A fabulous night was had by all. Special thanks to GSBA personnel Peter Sutherland, Mary-Ann Barton, Tony Long, volunteers, local community newspapers and radio stations who contributed to this Back To celebration. It was an awesome event,” said volunteer Angie Frame.
