the years playing and coaching basketball.
On March 23, some of his basketball family established
the Joe Gallagher Basketball Scholarship for the University's
basketball program, where he played and coached.
Gallagher `68, still holds the University's career scoring
record. For the lanky ex-Marine, it's not about records.
"The records are inconsequential, and I hope they are all
broken," he said. "What's important are the friends you make on
the way.
"I want to thank you
guys for this," Gallagher
said. "As teammates, we
liked each other from
the start, and we still get
along.
"This is a great thing
for Pembroke, a University
I support wherever I go,"
he continued. "This was a
great University when we
were here, and it's a great
University now."
Wiley Barrett, a college
teammate from Pinehurst,
N.C., led the scholarship
effort.
"Joe was in the Marines
before he came to college,
so we were all in awe of
him," Barrett said. "He
has phone numbers for
everyone he's met, and he
stays in contact."
Barry Hopkins, another teammate from Greensboro, N.C.,
talks with Gallagher two or three times a week.
"Joe and I have known each other since 1966 and nobody
thinks more of him than I do," Hopkins said.
But Hopkins said Gallagher never gave him enough credit as
a basketball player.
"If I hadn't missed so many shots, he never would have
gotten that rebounding record," Hopkins said. "I'm glad we're
doing this in Joe's honor; he's been a good friend for a long
time."
Gallagher's basketball coaching career began at Maxton High
School with stops at Pembroke, Methodist, Richmond, Belmont
Abbey, UNC Greensboro, Campbell, Boston (Celtics) and
Philadelphia (76ers). He may not be finished yet.
former Sharon Skipper, whom he met at UNCP. He still has a fire
burning for the game.
"I'm semi-retired, and I'm looking for an opportunity either
in college or the pros," he said. "I have a passion for the game; I
miss it.
"When I was playing, basketball was never a job, and when I
was coaching, it was never a job," Gallagher said.
Basketball has changed considerably since Gallagher
strapped on his first pair of "Chuck Taylors."
teach my craft," he said.
"It didn't come easy; there
were a lot of bumps along
the way."
Gallagher returned
to his alma mater on
February 13 for "Joe
Gallagher Night." Former
Chancellor Charles Jenkins
attended the event.
"Joe Gallagher Night
was one of the greatest
events I have attended at
this University," former
Chancellor Jenkins
said. "This scholarship
is fantastic for several
reasons.
"We've honored a
lot of great players, but
there is very seldom a
scholarship named for
but by Joe's friends, classmates and teammates.
"Joe left his legacy on the court, and this is a legacy that
will last forever," the former chancellor said. "It will make a
difference in the lives of many, many basketball players into the
future."
Basketball coach Ben Miller said upon arriving in Pembroke,
he learned about Joe Gallagher.
"What you did on the court is still a huge part of what
we're doing now," Miller said. "Your legacy is important to our
program today."
Athletic Director Dan Kenney summed up.
"This scholarship is about loyalty," Kenney said. "We will
make sure that quality continues through the recipients of this
scholarship."
Gallagher, Sharon Gallagher, Athletic Director Dan Kenney and Barry Hopkins