Our Vision
To acknowledge, promote, and disseminate the illustrious history and impact that basketball as a sport had on the Greater Columbus Area, and to create a better overall image of sports to current and future participants of basketball by building community relations with charitable and educational leadership organizations.
During the 1920’s, the game of basketball had long been developed but there was no prospect of making a career out of the sport due to the disbanding of the most popular leagues and teams. The first professional league was disbanded in 1904 and the Original Celtics, “The Fathers of Basketball”, were disbanded in 1928. Never the less, the YMCA kept basketball alive by spreading knowledge of the game across the USA and the rest of the world. Basketball soon grew in popularity and brought a sense of comradely to communities such as Columbus, Ohio.
Thus, the Greater Columbus Basketball Legends Association was founded on September 8, 2012 to provide recognition and support to former players, coaches, sports media personalities, and others who have significantly influenced the sport of basketball dating back to the 1920’s.
The idea for the GCBLA was initially discussed during a conversation between, Skip Young, current president, and his friend, John “Pineapple” Louis, who thought it was necessary to record the history of the basketball legends from Franklin and surrounding counties. Skip shared this idea with other former players and they envisioned that the organization would emphasize the impact of basketball on the Ohio community, be responsible for telling their own story, and help the younger generation of athletes in their academic and athletic careers. Unfortunately, before Louis could witness the realization of this dream, he passed away from cancer. Unbeknownst to Skip, Dr. Wallace Chandler also had a similar vision and they came together, 20 years later, to form the GCBLA in honor of Louis and other influential basketball players who have since passed away.
The executive board took it upon themselves to lead by example through their athletic and academic achievements. Skip played basketball at Linden McKinley High School, The Florida State University, and was drafted by the Boston Celtics. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and Social Welfare and he is the former basketball coach at Florida A&M University-Developmental Research School, where they have won three state titles and appeared in six state final fours in the past 10 years. Vice President, Dr. Wallace Chandler, played basketball at Central High school and the World Military Team. He then earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Ohio State University, and taught “Philosophy of Education” at Texas Southern University.
Dr. John Howard, historian/archivist, played basketball for University High School, the University of Cincinnati, and the Harlem Globe Trotters. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from Ohio State University and taught English at St. Johns River State College. Later, he founded the Mixed Gender Basketball Association, Inc. The former treasurer, Tom Bowman, played basketball at Linden McKinley High School and Ohio State University. He is also the owner of the Bowman Insurance Company.
For more information about membership, making a donation, or attending a banquet, please contact GCBLA President Ajamu Brown.