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