May 22, 2007

Former University of Dayton basketball coach Tom Blackburn once greeted former UD player and basketball coach Don Donoher after a mistake with, "Of all the schools that play basketball in this country, why did you have to pick mine?"

Because both of them picked UD, Donoher and many of his and Blackburn's former players were able to trade these and other stories during the Ohio Hoop Zone Basketball Hall of Fame and Museum induction dinner Saturday in Columbus.

The Hall of Fame inducted Blackburn and his 1962 National Invitational Tournament championship team, Donoher and his 1968 NIT championship team, and former UD players Jim Paxson and Don May.

"It's a thrill to enter," said Donoher, who is UD's career leader in coaching wins with 437 (235 losses). "This is a great night for the University of Dayton with six inductees."

Master of ceremonies Jeff Hogan relayed a story about when Hall of Fame officials contacted Donoher about his induction. Donoher said he couldn't possibly go in before his mentor Blackburn. Donoher gave all of the credit for UD's basketball success to Blackburn while delivering the evening's keynote address.

Don Meineke, a former player on Blackburn's first teams at UD, who accepted Blackburn's award on his coach's behalf, agreed "the University of Dayton and his players owe a lot to Coach Blackburn.

"Tom was a unique guy. He didn't care about your background. He wanted you to perform."

Blackburn had a 352-141 record at UD with 10 trips to postseason tournaments, including six NIT finals. Before coming to UD, Blackburn led Xenia High School to a state championship.

May, UD's second-leading career scorer, was a member of the 1967 NCAA tournament runner-up team and the 1968 NIT champion team. Paxson is a member of UD's Athletic Hall of Fame and the all-UD Arena team as one of the 10 best players to have played in UD Arena. Paxson also was a two-time all-Ohioan at nearby Kettering Alter High School.

Gary Roggenburk and Bobby Joe Hooper spoke on behalf of the 1962 and 1968 teams, respectively.

Fans have one more chance to hear these and other nostalgic stories, plus guest speaker Bob Knight, Oct. 9 during a celebration of UD basketball history. In addition to the teams inducted Saturday, UD will honor the 1951 (NIT runner-up), 1952 (NIT runner-up and NCAA Sweet 16), 1955 (NIT runner-up), 1956 (NIT runner-up), 1958 (NIT runner-up), 1974 (NCAA Sweet 16), 1984 (NCAA Final 8), 1990 (MCC champion, NCAA) and 2003 (Atlantic 10 champion, NCAA) teams at the event.

The University will release more details throughout the summer. Call 937-229-4433 or e-mail UDoctober9thevent@notes.udayton.edu to be placed on the mailing list for updates.

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