BRANDON, MB – Former Bobcat star, Jerry Abernathy will be taking a big step on Saturday, October 3, 2009. Abernathy along with his size 19 shoes will be inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame. Abernathy, known as Mr. Eraser for his tremendous shot blocking abilities was regarded in the early 1980’s as the nation’s premier shot-blocker and rebounder.
Abernathy, a native of Brooklyn, New York played for the Bobcats from 1977-1981. He was selected by the National Basketball Coaches Association as an All-Canadian in 1980 and 1981. Abernathy led the nation in rebounding for all four years he spent as a Bobcat.
“Abernathy’s defensive play and shot blocking was regarded as legendary in the late 1970’s and early 80’s. Jerry was the beginning of the foundation of great Bobcat teams,” says former Bobcats head coach, Jerry Hemmings. “His play and engaging personality is well documented across the country.”
“Mr. Eraser” will be inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Winnipeg, Saturday October 3 at the Victoria Inn. Abernathy will be joined in this year’s player category induction, with former NBA-player, Todd MacCulloch, and Winnipeg Wesmen, Andrea Hutchens.
During the 1978-79 campaign Abernathy averaged 17.3 points and 16 rebounds per game to go along with 5 blocked shots. He set a Bobcat record that stills stands today with 29 rebounds in a game versus Lakehead University. Abernathy came back strong in the 1979-80 season when he led the Bobcats to their first of 19 GPAC Championships. His team went on to their first national championship appearance before losing in the championship game to the University of Victoria. Abernathy was named as a First Team Tournament All- Star team. That season he led the Great Plains Conference and the CIAU in rebounding with a 13.6 average and 6.2 blocked shots per game. He was selected as a First Team All Canadian by The Starting Line Up national publication.
Jerry is presently employed as a drug counselor for the Board of Education in New York City.
For more information on Brandon University Bobcats Athletics, please visit: www.gobobcats.ca or call 727-7375.
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For more information, or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Jerry Hemmings
Basketball Coach Emeritus
Brandon University
P: (204) 573-7965
Kirk De Fazio
Athletics Director
Brandon University
P: (204) 727-7405
Contact
- Brandon University
- communications@brandonu.ca
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