A case to be made for basketball
Welland Tribune Tournament co-chairman Don Larman poses in front of the tournament’s trophy case located at the Seaway Mall. The 64th annual tournament kicks off Jan. 9 with eight games at Notre Dame, Centennial and Jean Vanier. The championship final is set for Saturday, Jan. 12 at Notre Dame at 7 p.m. Photo by: BILL POTRECZ
More than 60 years of basketball history is now on display at the Seaway Mall.
The Welland Tribune Tournament’s trophy case has been relocated to the mall near the Winner’s entrance.
“When the Tribune office closed we realized we had to look for a new home for our trophy case,” tournament co-chair Don Larman said. “We were thinking of a number of different places — city hall, the library — and we thought where could it get the most views from the general public.
“Since the community supports our tournament we thought we would ask the Seaway Mall and they were very supportive.”
Larman said moving the case from the old Tribune building to the mall was not without its challenges.
“It’s been a three-to four-year plan to get it in here,” he said. “When the Tribune sold the office it went to the new owners and we negotiated a return to the committee to bring it back.
“We had to do some work. It was attached to the wall in the office so we had to rebuild the sides and do some work on it down below.”
The work was done by committee member Bob Tomiuk, who built the original cabinet which was installed at the Tribune for the 50th anniversary of the tournament 14 years ago.
“It’s been a while and I’m not certain the general public realizes it is here,” Larman added. “It’s a 64-year-old tournament. Some of the trophies go back to the 1955 when the tournament started.”
Seaway Mall president Mike Belcastro was happy to find a spot for the case in the mall.
“It ties into the sports wall of fame we’ve had here at the mall forever,” Belcastro said. “When they came to us with this situation we found a place everybody agreed on. I think it’s a good place for it.”
Belcastro, who graduated from Notre Dame, realizes how important the tournament is in the community.
“It is a big thing. If you’re from Welland and you’re my age, you remember what a big deal it was.”
The 64th annual tournament kicks off Jan. 9 with eight games at Notre Dame, Centennial and Jean Vanier. The championship final is set for Saturday, Jan. 12 at Notre Dame at 7 p.m.
The original title sponsor for the tournament was the Welland Tribune followed by Niagara College. Mountainview Homes is in their third year as current title sponsor.
“We’ve always had that personal connection to sport,” Mountainview president Mark Basciano said. “We support student-athletes and this is a great tournament. The guys who run it do a first class job. There are a bunch of good people behind it and it fits naturally with what we want to do in the community.”
SUPPORT US
On the right side of our web site, you will notice a yellow SUPPORT US button.
We are asking anyone who finds value in our work and is able to financially help us to click on the button and contribute whatever amount you feel is appropriate and can afford. There is no set amount. Any amount is appreciated.
The funds collected will be used to enhance and offset the expenses of running the web site.
