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Sectional Hoops and Hopes -- The Second Half
Since writing my blog about sectional basketball, I have been asked several times about how I was lucky enough to get the job as court announcer. There is actually a history involved with the jobs at the officials' table.
I started working with sectional basketball back in the 1980s when Ray Holmes was the Section 7 basketball chairman. I was hired by Ray to take tickets at the door. You can imagine my pleasure of being paid to stand by the door, talk with people as they enter and, at the same time, watch sectional basketball.
Ray had his regulars who worked at the officials' table, but the job of taking tickets sort of rotated among who might be available to work each weekend. As Ray became ill, he asked me to take over the responsibility of finding workers for the door. I happily did this because it guaranteed that I would have a steady job for sectional basketball.
Following Ray's death Don Parks, the superintendent of schools at Saranac Central, became the section chair. The officials' table at the time consisted of Elton Jodoin, official timer, Bob Dailey, official scorer, and Rick Bruce, who alternated jobs when Bob or Elton took a one-game break. The court announcer was Dutch Craumer.
One Saturday morning I received a phone call from Dutch, asking if I might be able to take his place. Dutch had a bad flu bug and he needed someone to be the court announcer. I wasn't sure if I could handle the job, but I told him I would give it a try, and, hopefully, he would be back the following weekend.
Dutch never returned. I guess Dutch decided it was time to retire from that job anyway, so I inherited the permanent job as court announcer. During the ensuing years, Elton Jodoin also retired, handing over the official timer's job to Rick Bruce. Then, Bob Dailey decided to retire as scorekeeper and he was replaced by Laura Gagnon, who was Plattsburgh High School's official scorer. In 2005 Laura decided to leave the official scorer's job, and she was replaced by Laurie Kowalowski, scorekeeper extraordinaire from Saranac Central.
Several years ago when high school basketball began using a shot clock it created the need for a new position at the scorer's table. Goose Gagnon was hired for that job and, to this point, he is the only person to hold that position.
So, the current team of Rick, Foxy, Goose and Laurie, along with athletic trainer Mark Donnelly, has been intact for a few years, and, hopefully, we will continue to work together for Section 7.
Many years ago Don Parks was replaced as Section 7 boys' basketball chairperson by Jon Rebideau of Northern Adirondack Central. There is also a girls' chairperson, and that is Jennifer Trowbridge of Bolton Central School. She has been inducted into the Castleton State College Hall of Fame. As the only Hall of Famer sitting at the officials' table she wins the prize as the best athlete among us.
I might have scored more touchdowns in my career than Jennifer ever did, but she tops me in soccer goals, points in basketball and hits in softball.
This weekend, weather permitting, there will be some great basketball at the Plattsburgh State Field House -- the Section 7 basketball finals, with girls games beginning at 3pm on Friday and boys games beginning at noon on Saturday. I hope to see you there!
Comments
Hey Foxy, Back to work after spending the weekend in Glens Falls at the final 4. It was so much fun to see all the Chateaugay people in town to cheer on the Bulldogs. Congratulations to Ron Boyea, Mike Martin, Jason Laplante and to all the players on the team for an outstanding season! We may be a year away from the next state tourney but one thing is for sure...these coaches and these kids will work as hard as they can to get back to the finals! All the best John
(Foxy's note: Great meeting you this year, John ... and I'll be following the progress of your team next year.)
Posted by: John Reynolds | March 19, 2007 2:02 PM
Hey Foxy:
Sadly we had to miss this year's Sectional finals because of weather. (Had to try to get back to Georgia between snow storms!) There's nothing better than the Seton/Ti final--boys and girls! Hopefully the weather will cooperate in the future and we can enjoy the great high school basketball atmosphere at the field house with you and the gang. Thanks for all you do for Section 7 basketball.
Peggy Houk
(Foxy's note: Thanks, Peggy! Enjoy the warm Georgia weather -- will be below zero tonight and tomorrow night here in the North Country!)
Posted by: Peggy Houk | March 5, 2007 8:57 PM
Foxy,
I think it is really great that someone recognizes the dedication of Rick Bruce. He also does the announcing at the Peru football. As I well know. He has announced the Cardinal Softball games as well. After all since he changed jobs he has lots of idle time on his hands. I am sure he has done more than I mentioned. Thanks for the "Blog" time.
Posted by: crusher | March 2, 2007 11:58 PM
There is no finer gentleman in the North Country than Bob Dailey. His dedication to the young people of the area is remarkable. I can still remember sitting up in the "blues" at the Montreal Forum and feasting on those tasty hot dogs (no beer then, too young), seats complements of Bob, and riding in the old brown T-Bird.
Posted by: Ross O'Loughlin | March 2, 2007 11:44 PM
Elton Jodoin... Mr. J -- Talk about a north country character.. His pranks around beekmantown school are lengendary... And Bob Dailey, he may have seen more high school sporting events than any person alive.. Two great individuals who did a lot for the kids at BCS... Hope they're enjoying their retirement...
Posted by: Tom R | March 2, 2007 1:53 PM
If I'm not mistaken I was the first for the shot clock, as a matter of fact it was for the girls only. Boys shot clock didn't go in effect until a year or two later. When Bob Daley retired I moved to the scorebook and Goose was asked to take over shot clock. We had a lot of fun with everyone talking basketball, music, snacks, papercuts, more snacks, etc. I still think Fox had more snacks in his bag than Mark did. I do miss those days although I like my Friday's and Saturday's relaxing. Say hi to everyone for me.
(Foxy's note: I stand corrected! Laura always had a better memory than I ... after all, she's younger!)
Posted by: Laura | March 1, 2007 10:27 PM
Having spent many hours broadcasting the Sectional Basketball playoffs during the 60's,70's & 80's, I have fond memories of the people who manned the court-side table. I enjoyed the interaction with people along press row for many years.
Everyone performs a very important function that goes unnoticed by the fans but the work is truly appreciated by the coaches and sectionals officials. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Mike Mannix | March 1, 2007 7:54 AM