Inductees
Frank Baldwin
Inducted in 1997
Category: Builder
To anyone who knows the sport in Nova Scotia, "Mr. Basketball", as he is affectionately known, has enjoyed a distinguished career as a coach and administrator. He founded the Saint Mary's Basketball Huskies and set them on the path of excellence. He is still to be seen around the basketball court at The Tower of Saint Mary's, offering the benefit of his unmatched experience to both coaches and young players.
His first coaching role in 1939 was with the Oxford Junior High School team. In 1950 he coached the Queen Elizabeth High School team to the Canadian Juvenile Championship.
Mr. Baldwin first came to Saint Mary's in 1952 as the manager of the University's bookstore and canteen. At the same time he started coaching the men's basketball team and remained with it until 1962 when he became recreational director of the Canadian Martyrs Church in Halifax.
Throughout the ‘70's he continued to coach at both the provincial and national levels. His service to the game has brought him many honors, including induction into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979. He was co-founder of the Halifax Juvenile Boys Basketball League. From 1972 until his retirement fourteen years later he was the basketball coordinator at Sport Nova Scotia.
The success of Frank Baldwin's career has been based not only on his love of basketball, but on his love for people. "People have always been my priority", he said in an interview a few years ago. At the same time when asked to recall the highlight of his career, he replied in typical fashion "Every day was a highlight". In May 1991, Saint Mary's conferred an honorary degree, Doctor of Civil Law (DCL) on Mr. Baldwin which makes him "Dr. Basketball".
Portrait Artist: Barb Dorey
Portrait Art Photographer: Joe Chrvala