GLENN Dean's involvement with Murray Bridge basketball for nearly 30 years was acknowledged when he was awarded a life membership recently.

The dedicated player, coach and referee said his most memorable moment was the 2006/07 summer season when he coached his under 12 boys team.

Dean said the triple-overtime elimination final loss was the most exhilarating of them all.

Other memorable moments include the 1988 A Grade Mens Grand Final and missing an easy shot in the 98/99 A Grade Mens grand final and losing by a point.

He also recalls cracking two ribs and breaking his nose in the first semi final of the 2006 A Reserve Men semi final. The team still won the right to play in the grand final.

Also in 2006, Dean had his ribs crunched in the first five minutes of the game and was still awarded best on court. In that game, a team-mate fouled on the siren giving the opposition two free throws both fell and they lost the match by a point.

Dean's Murray Bridge team also won Gold at the 2007 Regional Masters Games in Murray Bridge.

He and Judi Prosser were awarded their life membership at a presentation at the end of the recent summer season.

A Brief History


Dean began his involvement as a player for South School under 10s in 1975.

In 1978 to 1982 he played for the Murray Bridge High School Saints in the under 14, 16 and 18 boys competition.

Dean was the 1982 winter and summer competition MVP for the under 18 boys grade.

In 1982, he began playing in the A Reserve Men competition with Aces and in 1984, won the winter competition grand final.

Aces were also premiers in summer 1986.

Dean stepped up to A Grade basketball in Murray Bridge and Aces won the 1988 summer season grand final.

In 1990 and 1991 he played for Falcons.

1992 and 1993 saw his B Grade Rebels team win back to back winter grand finals.

Dean's Rebels team was runner-up in the 1886/97 summer A Grade Mens grand final, but won in the subsequent winter season.

The following winter season his team was also runner-up.

From 2000 to 2005 he played in his own team known as Glenn's Men.

In the 2007 winter season, his A Reserve Mens team Glenn's Men was runner-up in the grand final.

Dean has been a referee on and off since 1996.

He also coached under 12s in 1983, 84 and 85; and under 10s and under 12s in 2005, 06 and 07.


First Published on 6/7/07