RECENT HOOP HISTORIANS
HALL OF FAMERS

DID YOU KNOW:  Five Hoop Historians have recently received Hall of Fame recognition
for their contributions to athletics?
 

A recipient of the Robert C. Hamilton Special Service Award, Bill Carsley is a 2008 inductee into the DePaul University Hall of Fame.  Bill has been a long-time booster for the Chicago university since earning Bachelors, Masters and Law Degrees from his alma mater.  He was recognized for his tremendous leadership and passion that he has exhibited in support of Blue Demon Athletics.   Carsley has been very active in University affairs as the Chair of the 1300-plus member President's Club and through his service on Athletic Advisory Boards.  The former teacher, coach and lawyer has a long tradition of sports involvement as he attended his 100th Final Four game in Atlanta in 2007.  Along with DePaul basketball, Bill is a season ticket holder for the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs and Northwestern football.  His active life style goes beyond watching athletic events, as Carsley is an avid runner and has participated in numerous runs across the globe.

An athletic official for more than a quarter of a century, Fred Allman is a Class of 2008 inductee into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.  Fred who has worked over 100 basketball state tournament series playoff games has excelled in two sports and worked the state championship title game in both basketball and football.  He officiated the 2004 Class "AA" Illinois High School Association state final in basketball and the 2005 Class "5A" title game in football.  Allman's passion goes beyond the stripes as he has been an elementary school physical education teacher and has coached youth t-ball teams for more than 20 years, as he touched the lives of many for a generation.
 

A person who has been involved in athletics his entire life, Kevin McCann was enshrined into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association as a Friend of Basketball in 2007.  Kevin started selling game programs at DePaul University at the age of seven when his Dad was Sports Information Director at the university.  In high school Kevin took statistics at the Blue Demon games and as a student-manager he timed the home games.  Kevin enjoyed the experience so much that he has remained in that same position as timer for nearly 40 years.  Besides working behind the scorer's table, McCann refereed high school basketball for many seasons.  Kevin enjoyed many years as principal in Chicago and currently works at DePaul with student teachers.  He has attended 16 Men's Final Fours and saw his first Women's Final Four in 2007 with his three daughters.
 

Dennis Mishko is a Class of 2008 member of the Keystone College Hall of Fame. Dennis was the head basketball coach at the La Plume, PA school for 25 years and compiled a 520-160 win-loss record.  His teams twice advanced to the NJCAA Final Four and his 1986 team advanced to the National Championship game.  He was also twice named as Region 19 Coach of the Year.  In addition to serving as head hoops coach, Mishko led the mens' soccer program for 21 years, compiling 122 wins -- making him the winningest soccer coach in school history.  Dennis was selected by the Scranton-Times Tribune as one of the area's Top 25 Coaches of All-Time.  Mishko also served the school as tennis coach and Athletic Director for six years.

Joe Spagnolo will be inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame as a Friend of Basketball in April of 2010.  Joe has served in various roles, as Executive Director, Media Services Coordinator, Officials Assignor and Webmaster of the prestigious Proviso West Holiday Basketball Tournament for three decades.  The event has been noted as of the top tournaments of its type across the country by setting numerous attendance records and producing 27 professional players.  In addition to running the annual Christmas Classic, Spagnolo has served as League Statistician for seven different conferences,  being head timer for the triple overtime 1999 Illinois high school state championship game, and currently works as courtside statistician for mens' and womens' basketball games at DePaul University.  In addition to having a great seat for all contests, Spagnolo officiates high school basketball in 11 different conferences in Chicagoland and has received state tournament post-season assignments.