Tucker takes on new role at the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame

CLOVERDALE -- Al Tucker is no stranger to the game of basketball. He served as head coach at Cloverdale for 17 seasons where he won seven sectional titles. His love of the game continued on even after retiring from the coaching ranks.

Tucker was recently named to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Directors, an organization which he's had ties with since his retirement from coaching.

"It's a nice honor and one of those things that I feel like I can be able to participate in and contribute to. It's a four-year term with the possibility of renewing it for four years should I elect to do it," Tucker said.

"I have stayed actively involved since with the administration of the Hall of Fame actually ever since I retired from coaching. And I enjoy the association with the people. Most of them that serve on the board are close to my age and they've been active in coaching, athletic administration, whatever for a number of years," Tucker added.

Tucker has served as an associate director for the past two to three years and been involved with numerous committees. He also helped in the selection of the Silver Anniversary team and the teams to participate in the annual Hall of Fame Classic.

He said the main responsibility for the board of directors is to promote the Hall of Fame and do so by organizing three annual golf tournaments, the Hall of Fame induction ceremony and the announcement of the yearly Silver Anniversary team.

"One of our big promotions is our Hall of Fame Classic for both boys and girls and that's the last week in the month of December," Tucker said. "We're charged with the responsibility of organizing and promoting those types of things. We have an annual picnic and most of it is socialization and promotion and trying to sell the Hall of Fame and boost the attendance."

Tucker also praised the efforts of the community of New Castle, where the Hall of Fame is located.

"New Castle has been a fantastic place to have the Hall of Fame building. We have at least one volunteer on duty everyday at the door. I think it's one of the best-kept secrets in the state of Indiana. So many people who declare themselves as basketball fans, they've never been there," Tucker said.

Tucker said he's happy being elected to the board and has no intention of going after the top spot.

"I have no ambition to move up the ladder and serve as president. I have no ambition whatsoever to do that and I questioned whether or not I wanted to accept this nomination because of my age. But I feel like I'm in really good health and I have the time and I have the energy, I think, to attend meetings," he said.

Tucker said he feels fortunate to be part of the Hall of Fame and to be surrounded by a group of people who have been so involved in the sporting community.

"It's a great, great group of people and everybody that's involved as a director the average age is 70 years old, and the average length of involvement in sports of some sort is probably 40-50 years," he said. "(They're) just some great people and I feel honored.

"I have served on committees the past three years, but there's a lot of people that I thought would have been selected to serve on the board of directors before myself. I guess there were enough people who know me well enough to think I had something to offer to the board," Tucker concluded.