LMHS Basketball Hall of Fame to Induct Eight New Members

In the second go-round of what promises to be a long running tradition, Lower Merion High School will induct eight new members into its basketball Hall of Fame Dec. 18 at 5:00 p.m. in the newly dedicated Kobe Bryant Gymnasium.

The induction ceremony will be the grand-finale of weekend of events that celebrate the rich history and tradition of Aces basketball. On Dec. 16, the new Kobe Bryant Gymnasium was dedicated and the following evening alumni attended a game between Kobe's Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers at the also-newly-christened Wells Fargo Center.

School spokesperson Doug Young said the timing was perfect.

"We knew this was an interesting window to hold the ceremony with Kobe coming to town and a lot of our younger alumni around too on break from school. It's a great opportunity to bring the Lower Merion basketball family together."

Al Bonniwell '30, Ira Rich '40, Michael Holland '67, Gerald Mills '74, Gregg Long '75, Michael Venafra '01, Sarah Lowe '02, and current boys' Head Coach Gregg Downer are the eight Hall of Fame inductees who compose what Young characterizes as an extraordinary class.

"The key criteria (for induction) is achievments and accomplishments on the court during your Lower Merion career. Then we look at post-career accomplishments and any ongoing contributions to the program. The primary factor though is performance," he explained.

There's no risk of overstatement in saying this group meets the criteria. They have twice received NCAA All-American honors (Bonniwell and Venafra), thrice have been inducted to their college's Hall of Fame (Bonniwell, Holland, and Mills), and even played professionally (Bonniwell), in addition to the reams of state titles, playoff wins, and All-League selections they produced while Aces. An extraordinary class to be sure.

Gregg Downer, who has won two state titles as coach of the Aces, got word of his induction a few months ago. He's both honored by the recognition and eager to spread it to its deserving, but silent, contributors.

"It's a great honor, but an honor shared by all the great players I have coached and all the assistant coaches who have helped me as well," Downer said.

Downer, who entering this season had compiled a 378-175 record at the Aces helm, is also looking forward to the opportunity to catch up with one of his more successful alums. Hint: The one with an MVP award and five NBA titles.

"I always enjoy seeing him and catching up with him," said Downer, before adding that he would be conflicted over the outcome of Kobe's Dec. 17 game against the Sixers. "The Lakers are my team, but my childhood idol was (current Sixers' coach) Doug Collins, so I'm happy to see him get the Sixers back on track. Hopefully they can be a young, up-and-coming team."

According to Young, the Hall of Fame class was selected by vote from a committee composed of alumni, prominent community members, and friends of the program. The pool of nominees considered was built from community nominations. Every two years another class will be inducted.

The 2008 class included Kobe Bryant, Jim Brogan, Sam Brown and Wendell Holland.