The Hoop Historians are a group of individuals who have a wide range of basketball backgrounds.  The group includes former and present coaches, officials and  supporters of the game of basketball.    The group's alliance with attending the Final Four dates back to the early sixties in some instances, however, the group has collectively met annually at the Final Four site since the early 1990's, and formally became the known as the Hoop Historians in 2000.  Through their love of the game, they have been an unofficial goodwill ambassador for the sport of basketball, by sharing their past experiences, renewing old acquaintances and meeting new ones, and continuing to promote the game through education and goodwill.

Timeline

March, 1999 -- The group formally assembles with charter members: Brian Burmeister, Dorothy Kim, Surl Kim, John Mayberry, Dennis Mishko, Ted Reineking, Al Sack, Joe Spagnolo, Frank Wilson and Bruce Ziemer.

March, 2000 -- The name Hoop Historians is first used and decided on by the membership. 

March, 2000 -- Bill Carsley and Marianne Parrillo join the original ten charter members are the group starts to formally organizational activities.

March, 2001 -- The first "unofficial" annual meeting of the Hoop Historians takes place in the Outback Steakhouse in Bloomington, Minnesota.

March, 2001 -- The first Hoop Historians apparel, tan shirts, makes it appearance at the Final Four.

April, 2002 -- The Hoop Historians are mentioned in a sports article in the Atlanta Constitution Journal.

March, 2003 -- Steve Bennett and Hersh Cherson are informally added to group after meeting the three year requirement for membership.

May, 2003 -- The official newsletter of the organization, The Hoop Historian News, debuts.

March, 2004 -- Al Sack becomes the first award recipient in attending his 100th Final Four game in San Antonio.

November, 2004 -- The Hoop Historians enter cyberspace, as the website hoophistorians.com is launched.

March, 2005 -- Fred Allman is added to the group's membership.

March, 2005 -- The group's Constitution is ratified and adopted by the membership.

March, 2005 -- Ted Reineking receives the group's service award for attending 200 NCAA Tournament games.

July, 2005 -- Hoop Historian Dennis Mishko is named to the Top 25 All-Time Coaches in the Scranton area by the Times-Tribune.

March, 2006 -- Brian Burmeister is recognized by the group for attending his fortieth consecutive Final Four.

March, 2007 -- John Mayberry is presented the Hoop Historians Ambassador Award for his years of contributions to the game of basketball.

March, 2007 -- Sports Illustrated photographer Rich Clarkson is the guest speaker at the Annual Meeting. 

March, 2007 -- A formal application process for membership is adopted and a record six individuals are voted in as full members increasing the membership to 22.  Joining the group are Joe Flaherty, Ed Krawitz, Steve Krawitz, Kevin McCann, Lee Roberts  and Bob Stan.

April, 2008 -- Historians Fred Allman and Bill Carsley were recognized with a plaque from the organization for their induction into their respective Hall of Fames.

April, 2008 -- The Daily Herald Newspaper ran an article on the Hoop Historians on the day of the National Semi-Final games.

April, 2008 -- Dave DeGrace, Mike Johnson, Don MacKay and Vern Vegso are elected to the membership.

April, 2009 -- The Hoop Historians are the lead news story on the Thursday night news on WXYZ-TV in Detroit.  The interview can be seen on You Tube.

April, 2009 -- Coach Dennis Mishko is recognized with the Hoop Historians Distinguished Service Award for his recent induction into the Keystone College Hall of Fame.

April, 2009 -- The Annual Meeting is held in Windsor, Ontario Canada -- the Historians first international event.  Six new members join the Hoop Historians, giving the group a record number 30 members:  Steve Atkins, Cal Dilworth, Miek Gant, Steve Newhouse, and Peter & Noel Sotta.

June, 2009 – The group’s Constitution and By-Laws are reorganized and annual election of officers take place.  John Mayberry, Dennis Mishko, Ted Reineking, Al Sack and Bruce Ziemer are elected as Board of Directors of the group and Reienking is selected as Chairman of the Board.  Joe Spagnolo is appointed as Executive Director.

April, 2010 -- The Hoop Historians made the biggest assist in their stat sheet from Final Four Weekend, as the group donated four Wilson basketballs to the LeGore Unit of the Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis. Hoop Historians Public Affairs Committee Co-Chairpersons Fred Allman and Marianne Parrillo made the presentation to Juan Ongay, Unit Director and Zach Sigmund, Program Director, who accepted the donation on behalf of the Club.

April, 2010 – A record number 43 Hoop Historians and Friends of the Hoop Historians gathered for the annual Welcome Dinner on Friday night.

April, 2010 – Dorothy & Surl Kim were recognized and presented with a plaque as being the “First Family” of the Hoop Historians at the Annual Welcome Dinner.  Executive Director Joe Spagnolo received a recognition award from the Hoop Historians for his induction into the Hall of Fame.

April, 2010 – Five charter Honorary Members were inducted into the group: Al Benninger, Jim Harrick, Bill Jauss, Les Lombardi and Jerry Wainwright.  Jim Jorgensen was elected as a new member.

April, 2011 -- Cal Dilworth is recognized by the Hoop Historians for his many years of dedication and support of the game of basketball with the group's service award.

April, 2011 -- The group formally applies for not-for-profit corporate status.  Ted Reineking and Al Sack are elected to two year terms and John Mayberry, Dennis Mishko and Bruce Ziemer are elected to one year terms to serve on the Board of Directors.  Reineking is reselected Chairman of the Board.

April, 2011 -- Five new members were elected to the group:  Doug Foley, Dave Mateer, Bren Petar, Darren Sack and Tom Tallarito.  Including its Honorary Members, the membership total rises to a record 41 people.