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GREAT AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Court of Honor

Inductees into the Court of Honor are individuals who have distinguished themselves through service to GABL and have been a positive influence on the youth of our community. Current members include the Great American Basketball League founders, former officers, corporate partners and those who have served GABL as board members, coaches and officials.

2019 Honorees-Jim Walsh, Dick's Sporting Goods and Rich Hunter


Jim Walsh served on the GABL Board of Directors for four years from 2010-2013.  He served on a number of committees as a board member, including two years as secretary-treasurer.  He coached 6 years in GABL.  He and his wife of 40 years, Connie, have two sons and one grandson. 
  
  Dick's Sporting Goods has been the Official Equipment Supplier for GABL since 2003 and is completing its 15th year as a Corporate Sponsor.  Dick's has been a supporter not just of GABL and its programs, but of nearly every youth sports program in the Kansas City area as well a nationally.
  
  Rich Hunter served as a volunteer coach for 6 years and area director for three years until his company, Sports Management Associates, gradually assumed management responsibilities in 1995.  GABL has grown from a winter league for 2,200 3rd through 8th grade Shawnee Mission boys to a year-round program for over 8,000 boys and girls throughout Kansas City from preschool through high school.  Rich and his wife, Kim, have two children, Brandon and Brett, and 4 grandchildren, all of whom participate in GABL.


2018 Honoree-Dan O'Dell

  Dan O'Dell served on the GABL Board of Directors for five years from 2007-2012. He served on a a number of committees as a board member, and was instrumental in directing the corporate change of the Great American Basketball League to become the GABL Youth Sports Foundation. Dan has been involved in serving youth through umpiring and officiating since he was 14. He worked over 2,000 high school varsity games in over 30 years in New York, Colorado, and Kansas City. He worked 10 State High School basketball tournaments in Kansas. He and his wife, Maria, own one of the largest and most successful residential real estate teams in the Midwest, spending most of their time running their business, teaching, traveling, and chasing their six grandchildren.

2017 Honorees-Frank Dodd & Mark Quandt


Frank Dodd has been involved with GABL for nearly 20 years-as a coach for 12 years with two sons and as a board member for six years (2010-2016). He has served on a number of committees as a board member, including finance, golf and Honors. 
  
 Mark Quandt is the 2017 recipient of the Marcus Priddy Award and is a 2017 inductee into the GABL Court of Honor. Mark began his coaching career in 1982 with his nephew's 3rd grade basketball team. From 1996-2002, he coached both son's teams in basketball and baseball. In 2002, he began coaching the sons of friends and family, and later began coaching teams needing a coach with his son, Matt. He was nominated in both 2016 and 2017 as a Coach of Character by parents on his team. He also officiates in the sports of basketball, baseball, football and volleyball at the high school level. 



2016 Honorees-Dennis Nicely & Aaron Miller

  Dennis Nicely has been involved with GABL for over 20 years as an area director, board member, board officer, coach and official. He was instrumental in establishing the GABL Girls Program in 2005. Dennis will retire in June from his Senior Vice President position at Bank of Kansas City.
  
  Aaron Miller has served as a part-time GABL staff member and instructor for GABL Academy programs for nearly 20 years. He currently coaches his three children’s teams in multiple sports; continues teaching and instructing young kids in the 3v3 and KidHoops programs and serves as principal at Havencroft Elementary in Olathe.


2015 Honorees-Bill Nicks & Chris Spellman

  Bill Nicks has been involved with GABL for over 20 years as a GABL coach, board member and official.
  
  Chris Spellman held leadership positions in GABL from 2004 to 2014. He served on the Board of Directors, including positions of vice president and secretary-treasurer.



2014 Honoree-Michelle Pond

 Michelle Pond served on the GABL staff team from 2004 to 2012 at Sports Management Associates, GABL's management company.  She was instrumental in the formation of the girl's program during her tenure, and served as administrator for the GABL Golf Classic and the Honors Program.



 

Click Here for a List of Past Court of Honor Members

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