WORCESTER, Mass. – In addition to four other Worcester State University alums (George Albro, Don Cushing, Phil Moresi, and Joan O’Dennell), Tony Gannon also was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame at a major ceremony this past Saturday at the DCU Center. Gannon joined several other honorees representing a variety of categories, ranging from high school players to senior adults, who still play that game at age 65 and over.
The New England Basketball Hall of Fame dinner has become one of, if not the, largest sports dinners in America. Approximately 1,900 were present.
The ceremony began on Friday, August 7 with activities at the iconic St. Mary's High School Gymnasium in Worcester. The program included the first Annual New England Basketball Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete Game between high school scholar-athlete teams representing Boston and Worcester.
On August 8, the festivities included a series of panel discussions featuring the likes of Hall of Famer's David Thompson and Dave Cowens, and a special ceremony in celebration of the History of Women's Basketball in New England.
Gannon was a tri-athlete (football, basketball, and baseball) during his time at Worcester State, graduating in 1980. Following his graduation, he played professional football in Italy, and professional baseball in Canada.
After playing professional ball, he followed his passion for athletics and became a coach of all three sports he played in college. Gannon coached at Hudson Catholic High School, Clinton High School, Framingham North High School, Assumption College, and Worcester State University. In his time at Clinton (’91-present), his basketball teams qualified for districts 16 times, taking the title in 2014. Gannon also was awarded Central Massachusetts Division II Coach of the year, twice, for basketball.
Gannon and other alums have made significant contributions to basketball, education and the University throughout the years.
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