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WILLIAM "Pop" GATES

Here's "Pop" Gates' Memory Book. Memories of his greatness stir much debate, for he was an immensely popular player, full of talent, self assured and a show stopper. Jon Saunders, jazz critic even compared "Pop" to "Prez," Lester Young. "As a youngster I became conscious of the relationship between "Pop" and the great "Prez", tenor saxophonist, Lester Young. Actually Gates was considered the finest basketball player in the country during the late 30s and early 40s. His prowess might well have been compared with Lester during his reign with Basie. Gates performed on Sunday night at the "Renny" and listening to Young at the Apollo were treasured events during my childhood."

 "Pop" graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in New York, was High School All-City two years, City Champs 1937-1938. He joined the N.Y. Rens for a brilliant career in 1938, World's Pro Championship 1939, this team won sixty eight straight games. "Pop" was the first player to go from high school championship to pro championship (take that Magic Johnson!). Made ALL PRO team with the Rens in 1940; in 1942 with Grumman Flyers and with the Washington Bears in 1943. The Washington Bears went undefeated for two years.

"Pop" played with the Tri-City Black Hawks in 1946. He was the first Black player in what is now known as "organized basketball". Played with the Dayton Rens in 1947, reached a career high of 44 points in Milwaukee. In 1949-50 played with the Scranton Miners of the American Basketball League, team was ABL champions. Closed out his career with the Harlem Globetrotters, where he played and coached for five years; 1950-1955.

Appreciation Award
Presented to 
MR. HOWIE EVANS
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Howie is top notch when it comes to covering the sports story that really counts. Everyone can depend on Howie to tell them something that others in his profession have neglected to tell; and he tells it like it is. 

Howie Evans was born and raised in New York City. He was educated in the public school system of the city, graduating from Morris High School in the Bronx, where he ran track, played baseball, and was captain of the basketball team as a senior. He was named the school's most outstanding athlete and won the coveted  title - "Mr. Senior". 

Continuing his education, Howie received a scholarship to play basketball at New York University, but transferred to Maryland State College in his freshman year.  

At Maryland State, Howie ran track and was a member of the basketball team. His journalistic career began when he reported on a speech by the late Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. at the school.

He became a correspondent for the Afro-American newspapers, and after his college career, he returned to New York where he began working with the New York City Board of Education, while continuing to sharpen his journalistic skills.

In 1965, Howie wrote a scorching article defending Wilt Chamberlain, who at the time, was under attack by virtually every newspaper in the nation. The article  received national attention in newspapers and television stations across the nation.

As a result, Howie was asked by Jimmy Hicks, then the editor of the New York Amsterdam News to join their staff. With a brief stint with the New York Age and News World, Howie has been with the Amsterdam News since that time and serves as the Sports Editor.

He has been the recipient of numerous local and national awards during his career. Last year, the Amsterdam News' sports section was judged the third best sports section in the country by the National Publishers Association. 

Howie led the fight that including taking on Mayor Edward Koch on the issue of the Springboks Rugby team of South Africa playing here in New York City.

As the Director of the Wagner Center in East Harlem, Howie directed a program that defined by the New York Daily News as the best in the state of New York. His innovating programming led to that program's boxing coach being named the 1972 United States Olympic Boxing coach. 

He began programs in tutoring such as Youth Tutoring Youth that became national in scope. In 1970, Howie initiated Cultural/Educational trips to Southern colleges and universities that led to many youngsters being motivated to enroll in colleges. 

And while Howie was making strides in education, his journalistic career continued to soar. In 1971, he became a senior staff writer for Black Sports Magazine, and a feature story he wrote on Matt Snell, then the injured fullback of the New York Jets won a national award.

In 1971, Howie became the first Black in this country, along with Frank Bannister, to host a network radio sports program over the Mutual Broadcasting System and it's National Black Network affiliate. His voice was heard in virtually every part of this country. 

Then came a stint as the color analyst for the New York Nets, now the Jersey Nets, with Marty Glickman doing the play by play.

Howie has performed similar tasks with the BASE Associated Network where he was the color analyst for college basketball games on television in the South and the deep South. He has written articles and features for virtually every major national sports publication in the country. 

He is one of the most requested sports journalists  in the country, being sought after by colleges, schools and others as a speaker. He has appeared on many national and local radio and television programs. 

He appeared on the award-winning documentary, "Sports in AMERICA" with James Mischner as host. He was the sole guest on a NBC program, "College Sports: A Contradiction".

Mr. Evans has worked in the inner-cities communities throughout his career, especially in Harlem, where he worked at P.S. 175, JHS 45, and others.

He began a cultural educational program which sought to expose young Blacks to foreign nations. As a result, over the years, Howie has visited and toured virtually every nation in Europe including Russia, where he was the first American to take a high school basketball team to that nation for international competition.

Mr. Evans visited Ireland during the height of the civil war, virtually stopping the action, as the youngsters, many of them from Harlem, performed throughout that nation. 

He has been involved in community programs throughout his career, and serves on many local programs. 

Howie, your believing in us has helped us maintain our high standard and to keep on keeping on - Many Thanks.

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COL. BENJAMIN W. JOHNSON (Ret.)

It's said that nice guys finish last. Not true, ask anyone Ben Johnson was tops!

Ben graduated from Plymouth High School, in eastern Pennsylvania near Wilkes-Barre in 1933. From 1931 to 1933 he established himself as a top track figure in the state. He held records in the 100-200 broad jump, indoor 60-6.4 sec., all district records for all four events and a broad jump record that still stands. In 1932, he qualified for the Olympic Trials. He had the distinction of being the only Black student and Varsity letter winner. His scholastic average was right there at the top; he placed fourth in his graduating class.

Ben matriculated and starred at Columbia. He was a member of the track team and Freshman Team Captain, (a first at Columbia). He won the Metropolitan Intercollegiate Championship in the 100-200- broad jump. He equalled Jesse Owen's world record of 6.6 seconds while defeating Owens. Some other records and accomplishments compiled during his reign at Columbia were National NAU 60 outdoors, Anchored two Penn Relay Teams, Set IC4A 200 record of 21.0 sec., which was disallowed. Toured Europe and won 14 of 15 sprints in 1937. Set a European 200 meter record, won invitational sprints at 40-50 and 70 yards. He captained the Track Team.
His interest in track extended beyond college. He became a track coach and teacher at Bordentown. His team won the High School Championship of America, at the Penn Relays. They also won the Scholastic Division of the CIAA Championships.
Ben enlisted in the army in 1942 and progressed through grades to full Colonel in 1964. He retired in December of 1969.
Since 1970 he has held a number of administrative posts working for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He retired in March, 1980, as the Director of the Bureau of Affirmative Action, Department of Public Welfare, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
He serves on a number of boards of national youth organizations. He is married to Nannette Henry.
We are proud to honor, as a pioneer, an exceptional athlete, scholar, and teacher.
Let the record show that Ben Johnson was tops!