LOWER MERION ACES BASKETBALL
315 E. Montgomery Ave. Ardmore, PA 19003
(610) 645-1800 ♠ www.aceshoops.com ♠ [email protected]
Dear Alumni & Friends of Lower Merion Basketball,
We invite you to join us as we honor the newest members of the Lower Merion Basketball Hall of
Fame. Nearly 1,800 young men and women have taken the court for the Maroon & White since the
turn of the last century; members of the Hall of Fame represent the most accomplished and
respected student-athletes and coaches in the proud history of Aces Basketball. The Class of 2010 is
an extraordinary group. The eight individuals being honored this year have helped define the Lower
Merion Basketball legacy across multiple generations.
This year’s honorees are: Al Bonniwell ’30, Ira Rich ’40, Michael Holland ’67, Gerald Mills ’74,
Gregg Long ’75, Michael Venafra ’01, Sarah Lowe ’02 and Gregg Downer, Coach.
The 2010 Hall of Fame induction event will be held Saturday, December 18th at the brand new Lower
Merion High School. The program will begin at 5 PM with a dinner reception in the Aces Nation Atrium,
followed by the induction ceremony in the auditorium.
The Hall of Fame program culminates a weekend of exciting events that celebrate Aces Basketball
and Lower Merion Athletics. On Thursday, December 16th, the Lower Merion community will
officially dedicate the new LM gymnasium as the Kobe Bryant Gymnasium during a public ceremony.
On Friday, December 17th, alumni and friends are invited to attend the Los Angeles LakersPhiladelphia 76ers basketball game at the Wells Fargo Center. On Saturday, December 18th, the
basketball program will host an Alumni Game at the high school. Additional details and registration
information for all of these events are listed on the following pages.
The events of December 16-18 provide an opportunity for teammates and friends to reminisce, to
celebrate the spirit and tradition of LM Basketball and to even play a little pick-up on the new gym floor.
Our first Hall of Fame event in 2008 was a great success, attended by more than 150 alumni and their
families. We look forward to another enjoyable and memorable event.
Please review the attached event schedule. If you have any questions, please contact Doug Young ’94 by
phone at (610) 645-1978 or via email at [email protected]. Additional information will be
posted on the Lower Merion Basketball website, www.aceshoops.com. Proceeds from the Hall of Fame
events benefit the Lower Merion Basketball Scholarship Fund. Proceeds from the gym dedication benefit
the Education Foundation of Lower Merion.
Thank you for your support of Aces basketball. We look forward to seeing you on December 16-18!
Sincerely,
Neil Alexander ‘52
John Brogan ‘74
Jim Brogan ’76 (HOF ‘08)
Sam Brown ’76 (HOF ’08)
Dan Capkin ‘05
Rick Carson ‘72
Mike Egan (Coach)
Hall of Fame Weekend Committee
Clarke Glennon ‘51
Darrell Holland ‘75
Wendell Holland ’70 (HOF ’08)
Frank Karreman ‘76
Michael Lachs (Coach)
Carolyn McKenna (Boosters)
Joe Paul ‘68
Lauren Pellicane (Coach)
Carl Robbins (Parent ’09, ‘12)
Fran Shapiro (Boosters)
Guy Stewart ‘65
Guy Stewart II ‘95
Jeremy Treatman (Coach)
Doug Young ‘94
Lower Merion Basketball
2010 Hall of Fame Honorees
Al Bonniwell ’30 – Starred for LM’s first State Finalist and first District title team in 1930.
NCAA First Team All-American, First Team All-Ivy League and Hall of Famer at
Dartmouth College. Became Lower Merion’s first professional basketball player when he
was drafted by the NBL's Akron Firestone Non-Skids in 1937.
Ira Rich ’40 -- First Team All-State in 1940 for LM team that reach Eastern Finals. 2nd
Team All State as a junior when he helped lead team to the 1939 State Finals. Was first
African American named PIAA First Team All-State. Legendary rebounder, led Maroon &
White in scoring during two playoff campaigns.
Michael Holland ’67 – Two-time All-Suburban League selection and vaunted Aces floor
general. Hall of Famer at West Chester University. Enjoyed distinguished college and
high school coaching career before becoming longtime high school principal; coached
current Villanova head coach Jay Wright.
Gerald Mills ’74 – First Team All-League selection, leading scorer and rebounder for
high-flying 1974 team. Central League record of 27-7 during two varsity campaigns. Hall
of Fame career at Cheyney University, where he starred for the 1978 Division II National
Championship team coached by John Chaney.
Gregg Long ’75 – Central League MVP, All-Central League First Team and leading scorer
for 1975 District Finalists and Central League Champions. Led Aces to first state playoff
victory in 30+ years thanks to clutch play and sweet stroke; scored 20+ points in each of
the Aces’ last ten games. Went on to play at Norfolk State.
Michael Venafra ’01 – Prolific scorer who tallied 1146 points in two seasons. Led Aces to
back-to-back league championships and state playoff appearances. Two year record of
46-15 (34-2 league). Named Central League MVP in 2001. Scored 1354 career points and
was regional D III All-American at DeSales University.
Sarah Lowe ’02 – All-time leading girls scorer with 1,676 points (2nd overall). Four-time
First Team All-Central League honoree; led Aces girls to first-ever league title in 2002.
McDonald’s All American Finalist, Street & Smith Honorable Mention All-American and
USA Today Player to Watch. Starred at the University of Florida where she finished
college career among top ten UF players all-time in assists, steals, minutes played, free
throw percentage and three pointers. Named 2006 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and
NCAA Woman of the Year nominee.
Gregg Downer, Coach -- School's all time wins leader, currently 378-175. Has led Aces to
two PA State Championships, three State Finals, two District 1 championships, nine
Central League titles, nine state playoff appearances, six District 1 Final Four
appearances, and ten 20-win seasons. Named PA Coach of the Year in 2006 by the
Associated Press. Seven-time Central League Coach of the Year. More than 20 of
Downer’s players have gone on to play basketball at the Division I, II, III and professional
levels, including NBA MVP Kobe Bryant.
Lower Merion Basketball Hall of Fame Weekend
December 16-18, 2010
Schedule of Events
(All events at Lower Merion High School unless otherwise noted)
Thursday, December 16
Dedication of the Kobe Bryant ’96 Gymnasium
VIP/Sponsor Reception: 6:00 PM, Aces Nation Atrium
Dinner reception for sponsors, distinguished guests and ticketed VIPs with Kobe to benefit the Education
Foundation of Lower Merion. Features valet parking, gourmet cuisine, giveaways and live entertainment.
Public Dedication: 7:30 PM, Gymnasium
A program to honor Kobe and celebrate the naming of the new Kobe Bryant Gymnasium. Features
musical performances and remarks by former teammates and coaches and special guests.
Friday, December 17
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Philadelphia 76ers (7 PM, Wells Fargo Center)
A limited number of tickets are available to Lower Merion alumni and friends for this game. A postgame, on-court clinic is open to children of alumni and friends ages 10+.
Saturday, December 18
Alumni Game (10 AM, Gymnasium)
Game for alumni and contests for alumni and family members in the Kobe Bryant Gymnasium. Game is
open to the public to watch. All participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt.
Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony (5 PM – 8 PM, Auditorium)
Dinner reception/buffet in the Aces Nation Atrium and awards presentation in the auditorium to honor
Lower Merion Basketball’s 2010 Hall of Fame Class. Family, friends and fans are encouraged to attend.
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RSVP
Please detach along the dotted line and place in return envelope with check made payable to
“Lower Merion Basketball.” Mail c/o Hall of Fame, Lower Merion Basketball, 315 E. Montgomery
Ave., Ardmore, PA 19003. Kindly reply by Thursday, December 9, 2010.
Name____________________
Please indicate events you will attend and # of tickets:
Class_____________________
□ Hall of Fame Dinner & Ceremony ($50)______
Phone____________________
□ Alumni Game ($10)______ □ Sixers Game ($30)______
Email_____________________
□ Kobe Bryant Gym Dedication ($25)_____
T-Shirt Size________________
□ VIP/Sponsor Reception w/Kobe ($250)______
Address___________________
□ I am unable to attend, but please accept my
contribution of _______ to Lower Merion Basketball
__________________________
Alumni Game Attendees: Play or watch? ______
(See next page for event sponsorship information)
Lower Merion Basketball Hall of Fame Weekend
Event Sponsorship Information
Sponsorship Levels
$100
1/4 page message/ad in 2010 Hall of Fame program book
Listing on aceshoops.com
$150
1/2 page message/ad in 2010 Hall of Fame program book
Listing in 2010-11 game program
Listing on aceshoops.com
$300
Full page message/ad in 2010 Hall of Fame program book
Listing in 2010-11 game program
Listing on aceshoops.com
$500
Full page message/ad in 2010 Hall of Fame program book
2 tickets to Hall of Fame Dinner & Ceremony
2 tickets to Kobe Bryant Gym Dedication
Listing in 2010-11 game program
Banner advertisement on aceshoops.com
$1000
Logo ID on Lower Merion Maroon Madness T-Shirt
Full page advertisement in Reunion program book
4 tickets to Hall of Fame Dinner & Ceremony
2 tickets to VIP/Sponsor Reception with Kobe
2 tickets to Kobe Bryant Gym Dedication
Listing in 2010-11 game program
Banner advertisement on aceshoops.com
$5,000
Patron-level sponsorship of VIP/Sponsor Reception and Gym Dedication
(Includes name/logo on all VIP Reception and Dedication materials and signage)
8 tickets to VIP/Sponsor Reception with Kobe
8 tickets to Kobe Bryant Gym Dedication
4 tickets to Hall of Fame Dinner & Ceremony
Logo ID on Lower Merion Maroon Madness T-Shirt
Full page advertisement in 2010 Hall of Fame program book
Banner advertisement on aceshoops.com
Listing in 2010-11 game program
Additional sponsorship options available. For information and/or to submit sponsor artwork,
contact Fran Shapiro at [email protected] or (267) 235-7049 to arrange.