Hall of Fame Profile: Gary Lee
10/24/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oct. 24, 2005
Oct. 19 -- Hall of Fame Profile: Cathy Wylie (Softball)
Oct. 20 -- Hall of Fame Profile: Shelby Root (Gymnastics)
Oct. 21 -- Hall of Fame Profile: Brian Pruitt (Football)
Oct. 24 -- Hall of Fame Profile: Gary Lee (Basketball)
Oct. 25 -- Hall of Fame Profile: Terry Carey (Football, Track, CMU Administrator)
Oct. 28 -- Hall of Fame Profile: Larry Lamphere (Baseball)
Players like former Central Michigan University standout Gary Lee are the reason why basketball coaches tell their centers to keep the ball above their head when grabbing rebounds.
At just 5-7, the lightning-quick Lee had a knack for mixing it up in the paint and stripping the opposing big man when he brought the ball below his waist.
"Gary was an excellent player and his speed and quickness made it possible for him to sneak up on opponents and flick the ball away from behind, or strip it from the big guys in the post," former Chippewa coach Ted Kjolhede said. "Gary was our go-to scorer and he was an excellent shooter who could drive hard, pull up, and release the ball with a soft touch."
Lee led CMU in scoring three straight years (1958-60) and was the first Chippewa to be named team MVP three times. He played his first season at Ferris State before transferring to Mount Pleasant.
For his efforts, Lee will be inducted into the Central Michigan University Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 28, in a ceremony at the Holiday Inn in Mount Pleasant. Tickets are $30 per person and may be purchased by contacting the CMU Athletics Ticket Office at 1-888-FIRE-UP2. The honorees will also be recognized at halftime of the CMU-Toledo football game on Saturday.
Being inducted into the Hall of Fame as well are Terry Carey (football, track, staff), Larry Lamphere (baseball), Brian Pruitt (football), Shelby Root (gymnastics), and Cathy Wylie (softball).
Lee averaged double figures all three of his seasons in the Maroon and Gold and he held the school record with 1,113 points at the end of his career. His three-year total still stands 17th in school history to this day.
The Saginaw native was selected All-NAIA in Michigan three times and was a second team All-Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference pick. He played for five years for the Holland Oilers and the Grand Rapids Tackers in the Midwest Professional Basketball League.
Gary Lee  | |
Known for his all-around skill level as a player, Lee went on to a highly successful high school coaching career at Flint Holy Redeemer, Marysville, and his alma mater, Saginaw Arthur Hill.
"Gary was a team player who excelled despite his size," Kjolhede said. "He was a real gem, it's no wonder he was a great coach as well."
In addition to basketball, Lee also coached prep football and track. His teams won numerous conference, district, and regional championships and he was honored as Coach of the Year by the Detroit News in 1996.
Lee currently resides in Traverse City.