Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons famously sang the memorable hit “Oh What a Night.”
Each year at the Basketball Old-Timers of America Hall of Fame induction dinner, participants walk away saying the exact same thing: “Oh What a Night!”
What a night it was on May 1 at Sirico’s Caterers in Dyker Heights, as the Old-Timers organization celebrated its 67th annual induction ceremony.
A new class of six honorees brings the total number of Hall of Famers to 244 — a list that includes former players, coaches, officials, administrators, and media members who have all left their indelible mark on the game of basketball in the Metropolitan area.
Of these 244, 30 are also enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The event always shapes up to be a who’s who of memorable names in the local basketball scene.
The dinner is co-organized by former Bishop Ford H.S., Park Slope, basketball coach and president Ray Nash — also the current Brooklyn/Queens CHSAA president — and “Mr. St. Francis College” himself Dennis McDermott.
This year’s Hall of Fame class included:
John Salley
A product of Canarsie H.S. in Brooklyn, John Salley was the No. 11 overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft. He went on to play 15 seasons in the league and became the first player in NBA history to win championships with three different teams.
He won four total NBA titles — two with the Detroit Pistons, one with the Chicago Bulls, and his last with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was also the first player in NBA history to win championships in three different decades: the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. Salley was not present at this year’s dinner.
Phil Sallustio
Phil Sallustio worked as a CHSAA basketball official from 1980 through 2015 and was known for his consistency, professionalism, and knowledge of the game.
In these 35 years, he called 10 CHSAA ‘AA’ city championships and five CHSAA ‘A’ finals. He’s a member of the CHSAA Hall of Fame as well.
In addition to officiating high school games, Sallustio spent 20 years at the NCAA Division I level and 25 years at the Division II and III levels.
“When I got the call, I was really honored that I’d be inducted into the Old-Timers Hall of Fame and be among some of the great coaches, some of the great players, and some of the great referees in this area,” he said.
Tony Petosa
The name Tony Petosa is synonymous with the College of Staten Island’s basketball program. He played there for four years and then went on to enjoy a 27-year coaching career at his alma mater.
As a player, he was a four-time CUNY Athletic Conference All-Star and a member of three league championship teams. Later, as head coach, he became the winningest coach in program history with 459 victories to go along with six conference championships.
“When I received the call, I initially thought to myself that this was amazing, and then I was told who else was being inducted,” Petosa said.
“What a prestigious group of people. I don’t know if I belong with this class, but I appreciate it.”
Anne Gregory O’Connell
A Bronx girl, Anne Gregory O’Connell had a standout career at Msgr. Scanlan H.S. before attending Fordham University. For the Rams, she turned in a beyond-stellar career and remains to this day the program leader in points (2,548), rebounds (1,999), and blocks (200).
In 1981, she married the late Jim O’Connell, who spent 40 years as the lead college basketball writer for The Associated Press.
Jim was inducted into the Basketball Old-Timers Hall of Fame in 2011, making Anne and Jim the first husband/wife duo to be enshrined.
“This is a great night for me and my family,” Anne said. “I was surprised when I received the call. I’m definitely an old-timer, but I’m also a proud Bronx girl, and they let me in the back door in Brooklyn.
“This honor is extremely special for many reasons, but the main one is that I’m now sharing it with my husband, Jim.”
Brian Nash
Brian Nash is Ray Nash’s son and played for his dad at Bishop Ford. He went on to become team captain at Keene State College in New Hampshire before embarking on a career in athletic administration.
He’s currently the vice president of athletics at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, a college preparatory boarding school and sports training facility known for its reputation in interscholastic athletics.
“I’m deeply honored to stand here among such an elite and prestigious group,” said Brian, who joins his father as the first-ever father/son duo inducted into the Old-Timers Hall of Fame. “To be included with so many people who have dedicated their lives to this great game is truly humbling.
“I was fortunate enough to be the son of a coach. Basketball isn’t just what we did; it was part of our life.”
Bob Hurley Sr.
Bob Hurley Sr. was the long-time head boys’ basketball coach at St. Anthony H.S. in Jersey City, New Jersey. In total, he coached there for 50 years — 45 of which he led thevarsity program starting in 1972.
He amassed 1,185 wins and 26 state parochial championships, including a record nine straight titles starting in 1983.
The tradition of basketball continued among his sons: Dan Hurley is the head men’s hoops coach at UConn, and Bobby Hurley coached at the University of Buffalo and Arizona State University.
“We’ve had a great run,” said Hurley, a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “It’s been a wonderful night. I totally appreciate the opportunity to come over here — the old-timer that I am. I have great memories of the sport.”