Apr. 7, 2009
Legendary Red Flash Men’s Basketball Player Maurice Stokes To Be Inducted Into Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame
LORETTO, Pa. – Former Saint Francis University all-American and NBA Player Maurice Stokes has been elected into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame & Museum, and will join some of Ohio’s elite basketball legends during the 4th annual Induction Ceremony at the Columbus Convention Center on Saturday, May 30, 2009.
Stokes’ former NBA teammate Jack Twyman is expected to accept the award in Stokes’ honor as several of Ohio’s exceptional players, all-time great coaches, high school dream teams, and outstanding officials receive this prestigious award.
The 2009 list of inductees also include Phyllis Bailey, David Butcher, Barry Clemens, Kevin Grevey, Tracey Hall, Sam Lickliter (official), Charles McAfee, John McLendon, Eldon Miller, Louis A. Mitchell, Ed Ratleff, Michael Redd, Dick Reynolds, Jannon Roland, Dick Schnittker, and Joe Tait. Additionally, several teams will enter the Hall of Fame. Lebron James’ Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary’s High School teams of 2000-03 will be inducted, as will the Pickerington High School girls’ teams of 1985, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1998 and 1999.
“This honor for Maurice Stokes further enhances a legacy that has been so important to the Saint Francis family,” said Bob Krimmel, Saint Francis University’s Director of Athletics. “The spirit of Maurice continues to be an integral part of our culture at the university. It is only fitting that Jack Twyman accept this award as the relationship between the two teammates is an example of true friendship that continues to inspire people today. We look forward to attending this event and sharing in the recognition of the outstanding athletic accomplishments and personal strength of Maurice Stokes.”
Stokes was a native of Rankin, Pa., where he led Pittsburgh’s Westinghouse High School to a pair of city championships. The 6-foot-7, 235-pound Stokes played brilliantly for the Red Flash. He averaged 22 points and 24 rebounds per game, and led Saint Francis into the NIT twice during his storied career. Despite playing on a fourth-place NIT team in 1955, Stokes was selected the tournament’s most valuable player, becoming the only player from a fourth-place team to ever win the award. He also capped off his senior year by being named a second team all-American.
Stokes was named the NBA’s Rookie-of-the-Year, and was an All-NBA second team selection after being drafted second overall in the first round in 1955 by the Rochester Royals. Twyman was Stokes’ teammate with the Royals, who later moved to Cincinnati. Stokes would earn a spot on the 1957 and 1958 NBA all-star teams before his life changed dramatically and forever. On Mar. 12, 1958, Stokes fell and hit his head against the floor in a 96-89 season-ending victory over the Minneapolis Lakers. Three days later, following a 100-93 playoff loss to the Detroit Pistons, he collapsed on the plane trip back to Cincinnati and was rushed to Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital in Covington, Kentucky. There he was later diagnosed with post-traumatic encephalopathy, a form of “sleeping sickness.”
Twyman would become Stokes’ legal guardian and took over the responsibilities of Stokes’ affairs. Stokes remained bedridden until his death 39 years ago, on Apr. 6, 1970.
The Twyman family and the entire university community bid farewell to Stokes at his funeral on Apr. 9, 1970. One of Stokes’ final wishes was to be buried on campus, a wish the Franciscan friars proudly granted.
Stokes assumed his rightful place among basketball’s finest upon his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, on Sept. 10, 2004.
Today, Maurice Stokes’ name is forever etched at Saint Francis University through the Maurice Stokes Athletics Center, built in 1972 and renovated in 1994, and the Stokes Club, an athletic booster organization that raises money to enhance the university’s 21-sport NCAA Division I program.