To: Indiana High School Basketball Hall of Fame
From: Jerry Birge
My observation of high school basketball in Indiana began in my younger days
when I often accompanied my father as he refereed games throughout the state. Then
later I played high school and college basketball in Indiana myself, worked in radio,
television and the newspaper field for a quarter of a century covering high school and
college basketball in the state, and even served on the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame
board of directors. During all those years I saw hundreds of Indiana high school
basketball players first hand. Many of those I observed later played or coached their
way into the Hall of Fame.
One of the players whose development I saw was Joe Todrank, an outstanding
player during his high school career at Holland and his collegiate career at Oakland City
College, and an outstanding coach for 21 years. I believe Joe is most deserving of
induction into the Hall of Fame.
My first personal contact with Joe came in 1956 when we played against each
other in high school. I played at Jasper and we hosted Joe and the Holland Dutchmen
at the Jasper gym. We played a pretty decent schedule that year and Joe was one of
the most talented individual players we faced.
Over the next four years I followed his prowess at nearby Oakland City College,
watching him become the leading scorer among all Indiana colleges during his junior
year and then leading his team to an NAIA district championship his senior year.
Joe went on to an outstanding coaching career at Pekin, Monroe City, BarrReeve, Holland, and Southridge high schools. During most of his high school career, I
witnessed his teams play as a television, radio, and newspaper reporter.
I can speak from personal experience when I say Joe Todrank was one of the
best ever to play the game of basketball in Indiana and one of the best ever to coach
the game. I knew his high school (Lowell McGlothlin) and college (Del Disler) coaches
quite well. Over the years both told me Joe was the best guard they ever coached and
one of their best overall players.
I do feel that when a player from Indiana scores 719 points and leads his high
school team to 71 victories, and later scores 1,079 points and leads his college team to
65 wins, and then records 295 victories during his high school coaching career, he has
earned a place in the Hall of Fame.
Joe’s numbers are impressive, but his reputation as a player and coach is even
more impressive. Ask anyone who played or coached against him and they will tell you
he was one of the best they ever faced.
Indiana high school basketball has been blessed with many outstanding players
and coaches. I sincerely believe Joe Todrank is one of the best and is most deserving
of induction into the Indiana High School Basketball Hall of Fame.
Sincerely,
Jerry Birge