Opinion
Letter: It's time to retire basketball No. 45
To the editor:
A few years ago I sent letters to the Hamilton County School Board and Superintendent Vince Mitchell asking that they consider retiring former Fox and 1984 Illinois Mr. Basketball Dr. Brian Sloan's No. 45.
Mr. Mitchell contacted me and said the board of education was going to create criteria for retiring athletic numbers. He added that they would put Brian's number first on the list for consideration.
I appreciated his response and understand that it is not easy to determine who should have a number retired.
McLeansboro/Hamilton County High School has had many great athletes who have competed on the athletic fields and courts over the years. Besides former professional athletes Jerry Sloan, Jim Burns, Carl Mauck and Ray Blades, I am sure there are many who could make valid arguments for others to have their numbers retired.
I could make a strong case to retire the numbers for former Foxes like David Lee, Curt Reed, Curt Reed Jr., Darin Lee, Kent Anselment, Benjy Johnson, Tracy Sturm, Lori Kirsch, Abby Rankin and Kerri (Grubb) Morris. It makes for great debate and discussion.
However, I don't think anyone can make a valid argument that Brian’s number should not be retired. I was fortunate to play with Brian during the 1983-84 season.
Anyone who knows Brian understands he would be the last person to want any type of individual recognition like this. In the two years Brian played at MHS, he was just the opposite.
While other players in Southern Illinois were being highlighted for individual accomplishments, Brian quietly went about helping the Foxes go 66-4, finish third in Class A in 1983, and leading us to the state championship in 1984.
Our coach, David Lee, pushed Brian harder than any of the other players on our team. After dealing with coach Lee, Brian got to go home to his dad, Jerry, who would also offer his advice.
Brian never complained or stopped working. He just continued to work to get better and help us win.
At the end of the 1984 season, Brian was named Mr. Basketball for the state of Illinois. Brian's picture is in the trophy case at HCHS displaying the honor.
I don't think people realize how great an accomplishment that was for Brian. Since the inception of the award in 1981, there have been 29 players named Mr. Basketball. Some of the winners during that time were: Marty Simmons (1983, Lawrenceville/Indiana University (University of Evansville); Nick Anderson (1985, Simeon High School/University of Illinois/Orlando Magic); Marcus Liberty (1986, King High School/University of Illinois/Denver Nuggets); Kevin Garnett (1995, Farragut Academy/Minnesota Timberwolves/current Boston Celtic); Brian Cook (1999, Lincoln High School/University of Illinois/Los Angeles Lakers); Eddy Curry (2001, Thornwood High School/Chicago Bulls/New York Knicks); Shannon Brown (2003, Proviso East/Michigan State/Los Angeles Lakers); Shaun Livingston (2004, Peoria Central/Los Angeles Clippers); and Derrick Rose (2007, Memphis State/Chicago Bulls).
Sixteen of the 29 players named as Mr. Basketball have gone on to play in the NBA. Brian is the only player in the history of what I think most people consider “Southern Illinois basketball” to win the award.
I believe it is time to honor Dr. Brian Sloan and display his No. 45 alongside the numbers for Jerry Sloan and Jim Burns.
Jeff Morris
Glen Carbon
McLeansboro High School Class of 1985
- Opinion
-
-
Supporting our nation’s veterans
Last week, we celebrated Independence Day, our nation's 234th birthday.
-
Wasted oil? Look at plastic bottles
As I’ve remarked so many times, McLeansboro is a town possessing some beautiful homes and buildings; our McCoy Library and the old Peoples National Bank building would be the envy of any community.
-
Cuts in new state budget significant
As the end of the fiscal year came to a close last week, the governor signed the new Illinois state budget into law.
-
Letter: Policy issues are hurting kids
To the editor:
Mr. Mitchell, in reference to your answer in the Times-Leader (“Ham. Co. Schools to change policy,” Page 1A, June 10), you still just don’t get it. I thought you, as an administrator, would at least have a clue as to the facts at hand. -
Letter: McLeansboro 1958 frozen in time for former resident
To the editor:
Growing up in McLeansboro during the 1940s and ’50s imprinted upon me the value of friends and keeping alive the memories of times and places now a part of McLeansboro’s history. -
Letter: Board’s jurisdiction stretches only so far
To the editor:
It has come to my attention through the Times-Leader (“Policy question,” April 29, Page 1A) that the Hamilton County School Board is grappling with making a decision about shooting at an out-of- town gun club. -
Letter: Woman recalls her teenage years in McLeansboro
To the editor:
I was born in McLeansboro, but moved away when I was in the third grade. For the first three of my school years, I attended Anderson School. -
Letter: The more things change, the more they change
To the editor:
I was talking to my sister-in-law in Carmi recently. She told me my niece had suffered a disappointment.
-
Letter: Band directors, coaches are educators, too
To the editor:
As a graduate of McLeansboro High School Class of 1999 and a current band director in Southern Illinois, I am appalled at the letter written last week (March 18, Page 4A) by Linda Shaw. -
Letter: County ‘fortunate’ to have two state recreation sites
To the editor:
I must respectfully disagree with Mr. Wilton's letter (March 11, Page 4A) regarding possibly selling Illinois Department of Natural Resources property in Hamilton County. Personally, I think that would be a very dumb thing to do. - More Opinion Headlines
-
Supporting our nation’s veterans
