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Coach Street in Basketball BC Hall of Fame

Longtime Vanier coach inducted as builder of the sport in May 10 ceremony
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LARRY STREET WAS inducted into the Basketball BC Hall of Fame in a May 10 ceremony at the Langley Events Centre.

Larry Street is keeping elite company these days.

The personable Street, who has coached at G.P. Vanier Secondary School for 20 years, was inducted into the Basketball BC Hall of Fame as a builder at the 12th annual awards ceremony, May 10 at the Langley Events Centre.

"The event was awesome!" said Street, one of six 2014 inductees. "It was great to be with so many people I've known for well over 40 years. It was a first-class affair with decorations, food, MC, professionally done.

"My family was there, and many close friends, and a great chance to share the award with them," Street said, noting two of his former coaches (junior high, SFU), former SFU teammates, and many high school coaches he's coached with and against were also there to share in the moment.

"A big treat was meeting Harry Jerome's sister Valerie. I mentioned in my speech that I received the Harry Jerome Award 25 years ago for Comeback Athlete of the Year (cancer) and she really appreciated that," Street said.

Basketball BC notes Street has made an impact on the sport throughout the province and particularly on Vancouver Island. He is the only coach to take five different high schools to the AAA provincial championships and has had four of his players play professional basketball.

"I've been told by many that they know of nobody who loves this game more. I only answer that with 'Yes, I love it,' but more importantly I love doing things with, and for, all the people I get involved with," said Street, who is in his 38th year of coaching and 37th year of teaching.

"On the mainland I met so many enthusiasts who have been longtime great friends, from the Greater Vancouver Summer League (17 years and still running for 40 years), the Keg Sr. Men's League, all the summer camps, the four schools I coached at, the Super Socco International Tournaments I organized, the Kits Beach Tournament each summer, the eight Provincial teams I had the privilege to coach, all the regional teams, the all-star games I helped organize, the refereeing I did, as well as the connections I made with so many refs, and plenty more … [it's] all about people and that's the fun part," Street said.

"Of course, being able to play all these years still is a blessing, and playing in five World Masters has allowed me to travel. Getting involved with the Comox Valley basketball scene for the past 20 years has given me so many more great friendships – Thunderball, summer camps, school events, coaching the Vanier teams and the regional teams … another fantastic privilege.

"And by the way, the athletes I've had the pleasure of working with here continue to get accolades year after year at hotels, tournaments, trips, and in the community. The very best kids in the world live here!," Street added.

 

Other 2014 Hall of Fame inductees were Spencer McKay (athlete), the 1954-55 Alberni Athletics men and 1954-55 Vancouver Eilers women (teams), Mike Thomson (official) and Bruce Enns (coach).