2010 Inductee – Coach

2010 Inductee – Coach

Dr. Dennis “Doc” Scanlan

Dennis Scanlon was born in Louisville, Kentucky, in the heart of basketball country. From an early age he had an avid interest in basketball and began playing in the sixth grade. He played Varsity Basketball as a forward for the St. Henry High School Crusaders in Erlanger, Kentucky. After High School Dennis attended Ohio Sate University, graduating as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. In the 1970’s he moved to Upper Granville and opened his Veterinary practice just outside of town.

Learning of his background, Aubrey Price, Art Marshall and Doug Oldford talked to Dennis about coaching the boy’s basketball team. He decided to give it a try.

Thus, the “Scanlan Years” began. For the next thirteen years, from 1979 to 1992, “Doc” Scanlan was one of the most revered and inspirational coaches ever to tread the hardwood at Bridgetown Regional High School. His way of coaching was to apply a “quiet discipline”. No chair throwing from this man! Dennis Scanlan’s philosophy was to play hard, with intensity, and to have fun. His manner was professional in all respects.

He was a cornerstone of sport at B.R.H.S. and in the community. The team was always well dressed for road games. Manners were required! They were ambassadors for their school, their town and their province. The team raised their own funds to buy new uniforms and to travel and compete in Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada and in the USA. On one memorable trip, the Trojans played a series of games in New Brunswick and Massachusetts, facing top caliber teams in Fredericton and St. Stephen at the Golden Bear Classic and then others in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. The team then watched the legendary Celtics play at the Boston Gardens. Dennis led the Senior Trojan Boys to Provincial “A” Championships in 1984, 1988 and again in 1989. The team also won many NSSAF Regional Titles.
Doc loved all the memories and coaching was a joy to him.

Dennis believed that the team should be willing to play anyone. “A”, “AA”, “AAA”, exhibition games, on the road, at home, anywhere. “I don’t mind losing”, he would say, “it is sometimes a good learning experience.” Many of his players still come back to their alma mater to play in the annual Walker Classic. One such Classic was dedicated to the “Scanlan Years”. Dennis still faithfully attends this tournament as a spectator.

Dennis played with the Lawrencetown Legends until he couldn’t have any more surgeries on his knees. He played until the Millennium. He was then in his late 50’s and though he had wanted to play until 60, he retired gracefully, with a heavy heart.

Following are the words of the parent who nominated Dennis. “For me, as a parent of one of those players, it wasn’t just the basketball skills that were learned. It was the life skills, taking pride of who they were and are today, mannerly, contributing to their community through hard work and respect. All from one man who loved the sport of basketball and wanted to share that love with his players. These young men emulated their coach”.

“Today, those same players from B.R.H.S. have gone on to become upstanding members of society as policemen, teachers, farmers, business owners, fishermen, CPA’s, an MLA and more. These same young men that “Doc” coached are now returning what they have learned by becoming coaches themselves.”

One Comment