Longtime service to GABL was a common thread among those honored at the 5th Annual Sonic/GABL Honors Program. The event was held April 23 at the Sylvester Powell, Jr. Community Center in Mission, Kansas.

Past commissioner Larry Pfeiffer received the “Making a Difference” Award, which is presented to an individual who has made a positive difference in the lives of youth, serves the community in a positive manner and promotes the values of athletic participation.  

Larry began making a difference for the youth of Johnson County in 1987, his first year of coaching in GABL. Soon thereafter, Larry was asked to join the Board of Directors, which began a tenure of 16 years of service—the longest of any board member and nearly half of GABL’s long history.

Larry held two key leadership positions on the board beginning in 1991. His first position from 1991-2000 was treasurer, and then later the position was expanded to secretary/treasurer. In 2000, he assumed the position of commissioner until his retirement in 2007.

His leadership throughout his tenure on the board was instrumental in bringing GABL to where it is today. He oversaw the development of new programs, including the K-2 3-on-3 program, the reinstatement of the boys high school program, the GABL Academy and the girls program; and long-range planning initiatives that have put the league in a strong position for the future. Additionally, Larry’s employer—Arthur J. Gallagher Company—has been a GABL corporate partner since 2001.

Larry Pfeiffer                              Bruce Nixon

Bruce Nixon received the Marcus Priddy Award, which is named in honor of the late Shawnee Mission West High School girls basketball coach and GABL summer league staff member. It recognizes a current coach (youth, high school or college) who is making a positive difference in the lives of his or her players.

Bruce exemplifies GABL’s philosophy of providing youth the opportunity to play basketball in a learning environment. He is dedicated to teaching skills, sportsmanship and fair play, and providing each player the opportunity to contribute to the team.

Bruce began coaching in GABL in 1989. At that time, he did not have a child on the team, but offered his time and talent anyway. It was not until 2004-05 that Bruce’s son began playing in GABL, and Bruce has coached his team the past four seasons.

The players under Bruce’s tutelage learn fundamentals and improve their basketball skills. In addition, they receive lessons in the history of the game, the benefits of hard work, respecting authority and appreciating the people who help and support them.

Nixon played both basketball and soccer in high school. He continued playing soccer at the club level when he attended the University of Missouri.

Since 1990, he has run the Flames Basketball Camp, imparting the same ideals to his campers as he does to those who play on his team. He has also worked at other basketball camps, including the KU camp.

The Court of Honor was established to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves through service to GABL and have been a positive influence on the youth of our community.

The 2008 Court of Honor inductees were Fred Logan and Jim Seers. Fred coached in GABL for 11 consecutive years beginning in 1995. In 2000-01, he coached his son Andy on an 8th grade team and sons Sam and Jack on a 3rd grade team. Fred became a member of the Board of Directors in the spring of 1997 and served on the board for 10 years. He also served as chair of the Sportsmanship Committee and was often called upon to provide his expertise in writing policies and procedures for the league.

Fred Logan

Jim is one of the individuals who has supported GABL as a corporate partner. He began working with GABL during the 1990-91 season. Often, when the time came to renew the partnership, it was Jim who provided suggestions for increasing support for the league. As the “Official Photographer for GABL”, Jim’s company took photos of the participants, but he began providing other services such as donating plaques for team sponsors, providing group photos for all players in the Sonic/GABL Golf Classic and taking photos at the Honors Program. When he sold his company, Sports Photographers Plus, in March 2007, the partnership with the league had risen to the Champion level, the highest that GABL offers.

Four outgoing members of the Board of Directors were acknowledged for their service to the league. Phil Temaat (1 year), Fred Logan (10 years) and Larry Pfeiffer (16 years) received commemorative basketballs in recognition of their time on the board. Jeff Pinkelman (5 years) was unable to attend.

The first annual GABL High School All-Star team was recognized at the 2008 GABL Honors Ceremony. This team recognizes the best senior players on high school varsity teams who played in the GABL winter program (grades 3 through 8) for a minimum of three years.

The inaugural honorees are:

  Tim Bury, Shawnee Mission South, one-year starter and letter winner, honorable mention All-Sunflower League.

   Todd Eils, Shawnee Mission West, two-year starter and letter winner, honorable mention All-Sunflower League.

  Scott Fruehling, Shawnee Mission Northwest, two-year starter, three-year letter winner, first team All-Sunflower League.

  Jordan McDowell, Shawnee Mission South, one-year starter and letter winner, honorable mention All-Sunflower League.

  Michael McRoberts, Shawnee Mission East, three-year starter and letter winner,  Sunflower League Player of the Year and two-time first team selection.

  Andrew Meschke, Shawnee Mission South, three-year starter and letter winner, honorable mention All-Sunflower League.

  Aaron Sawyer, Shawnee Mission North, three-year starter and letterwinner, third team All-Sunflower League.

(from left to right) Scott Fruehling, Jordan McDowell, Tim Bury,
Andrew Meschke, Todd Eils, Aaron Sawyer

The following corporate partners were recognized at the Honors Program.

Previous inductees into the Court of Honor include: 2007--Ed Gould, Jim Knight, Bruce Pendleton, Mark Jorgenson; 2006--Charles Shrewsbury, Dick Jenkins, Roger Siuda, L.D. "Mac" McDonald and Phil Carr; 2005--John B. Dehan and John White; 2004--Frank "Bud" Reid, John Toale, Larry Racunas, Dennis Hobbs, Dennis Burns, Richard Spears, Steve Dees, Bob Monroe, Tom Sterchi and Warren McCamish.  The 2004 inductees were all the previous commissioners of the league.  

The Marcus Priddy Award, established in honor of the late Shawnee Mission West girls basketball coach and GABL summer league staff member, recognizes a current coach (youth, high school or college) who is making a positive difference in the lives of his or her players.  Previous recipients were Larry Holley (2007), Ron Millard (2006), Phil Carr (2005) and John McFall (2004).

The GABL "Making a Difference" Award is given to an individual who has made a positive difference in the lives of youth, serves the community in a positive manner and promotes the values of athletic participation.  Previous recipients were Mark Jorgenson (2007), Warren McCamish (2006), Dick Jenkins (2005) and Charles Shrewsbury (2004).
 

Great American Basketball League