HALL OF FAME
The MMBRA Hall of fame was introduced to honor those whose contribution to MMBRA and/or the basketball community in large have been extraordinary. An official can enter the Hall of fame in three categories, Officiating Excellence, Builder, or Service.
John McDonaugh, Officiating Excellence
John began his official career in 1960 and hung up his whistle in 1989. In those years, one would be hard pressed to find an official who was more respected from coast to coast. He was a founding member of the CPA (Comité Provincial d'Arbitrage) which oversees the well being of Quebec local basketball associations. So respected was John as a person as well as an official, he was chosen to to officiate the 1976 Summer Olympics in his home town of Montreal. John was inducted into the Quebec basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. He was also the recipient of CABO's Ted Early Memorial Award which honors officials who have a significant number of years at the national as well as the international level, has shown leadership and serviced the basketball community at provincial, national and international levels. Locally, John serviced MMBRA as president as well as interpreter. MMBRA thanks John for his contribution to the art of officiating and is honored to have him as the first inductee into the MMBRA Hall of Fame.
Dikran Melkonian, Service
Dikran Melkonian was a proud member of MMBRA for over 40 years, beginning his career with MMBRA in 1973. He has served the membership with much enthusiasm and professionalism, officiating thousands of games throughout the greater Montreal area. He earned the respect of coaches and players alike, ensuring games were officiated fairly, objectively and with maximum effort, regardless of level or significance of the game. All assignors loved working with Dikran because he never refused a game; regardless of location, game level, or partner, he was always ready to serve. He was among a group of officials who brought much value and integrity to MMBRA, raising its reputation and demand throughout various basketball leagues. His knowledge of the rules and their application were remarkable as he regularly scored a perfect grade in the annual CABO exam. Many of his peers would often turn to him instead of the rulebook for interpretation of the rules. In addition to officiating, Dikran served Homenetmen [Gamk], Armenian Sports & Scouts Youth Organization tirelessly for decades at the local, national and international levels. As a basketball coach in the early 1970’s, he taught many young players the game of basketball, and more importantly, how to become better citizens. Dikran was passionate and dedicated much of his life to basketball and officiating. It brought him great joy to step onto the court with whistle and uniform, to participate in the game with the youth - teaching, leading and collaborating with everyone. Wishing future generations of officials such joy, fulfillment and passion.
Waguih Tabet, Builder
Waguih Tabet 1976-2016 Served as an Official, Board Secretary, Director-At-Large, H.S. Assignor, Tournament Assignor, Contracts Negotiator, Board Ombudsman. Waguih Tabet never took life seriously, but he was always serious about basketball. Along with his family and friends, basketball was one of the great loves of Waguih’s life. Although he was short in stature, he played the game since he was a child, and didn’t stop being involved with it until the very end of his life. Following careers in the airlines while he was still living in Egypt, and in banking when he first arrived in Canada, Waguih spent the remainder of his days as an educator, as well as a basketball coach, referee, and assigner. Most weekends, he could be found courtside, mentoring and encouraging his basketball teams as they vied for championships. When he wasn’t coaching, he was running up and down the court, making calls and blowing his whistle alongside his fellow referees and closest buddies. Waguih assigned so many basketball games that his daughter once made him a Father’s Day card with a picture of him on the phone. If anyone but a ref called his basketball phone line (how many of you still remember 514-366-0440?), they were in for a scolding. That line was all business. At Waguih’s funeral, a female referee came to pay her respects, and she brought her two daughters along with her. She told one of Waguih’s daughters that when she joined the association as its first female referee, she wasn’t sure if she should stay. Waguih was the one who encouraged her to persevere. She had brought her daughters to the funeral because, in her words, she “wanted them to know that this person was one of the reasons she was such a strong woman and never gave up.” That’s who Waguih was. If he believed in you, you felt it. If he cared about you, you knew it. He was strict, he was disciplined, but he was always fair. If he could help you, ref with you, gamble with you, or laugh with you, he was a happy man. Waguih would be so honored to see this tribute on the website. This association brought him some of the best times, and the best friends, of his life. If only he were still here so we could roast him like he has roasted so many of us. His lip would curl, he would pretend to be stoic, but his heart would be full. Rest in peace, Waguih. Thanks for making your time with our association a true slam dunk.
Harry Hus, Officiating Excellence
Harry, A product of Baron Byng high school, he received a commerce degree from Loyola College in 1964 and a teaching diploma from McGill in 1968. That led to a successful coaching career in soccer, winning eight conference banners and a pair of national championships. He won eight conference coach-of-the-year awards and was inducted as a builder to the Concordia Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. A Russian-born resident of Montreal West, who still operates his own sporting goods company, Hus retired from coaching in 1983 to focus on officiating. He worked all levels as a basketball referee, including pre-Olympic tournaments in Montreal (1976) and Puerto Rico (1980), as well as tourneys in Thailand (1975), Brazil (1976), Wales (1978), China (1981), the FISU Games in Edmonton (1983), Japan (1986), Ecuador (1997) and multiple Maccabiah Games in Israel. He was also pegged to work the 1980 Moscow Olympics, an assignment that was canceled due to a boycott. Hus was the inaugural recipient of the Canadian Basketball Officials Association Individual Achievement Award (1987), the Basketball Quebec Official of the Year Award (1984 and 1987), the RSEQ University Official of the Year Award (1991) and the Ted Early Memorial Award (1998), which is considered the top honour for officials in Canada. Inducted to the YMHA Sports Hall of Fame in 2001, he received a Montreal Community Cares Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. His "legend" status is so cemented in MMBRA and it's History as to have the official of the year award named after Harry. A McGill University graduate who officiated for six decades including 40 years at the university level, has received the Prix Gilles Brière from the Comité provincial d'arbitrage (CPA) of Basketball Quebec, for the 2021-22 season. The award is presented for long-term contribution and development of officiating in the province.
Les Hughes, Builder
Leslie Charles Hughes, left us peacefully on March 1, 2024, at the age of 73. A revered member of his community, Les' absence will be deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Born in Dublin, Ireland and a proud alumnus of the University of New Brunswick, Les dedicated his life to the field of education, instilling confidence in his students as a teacher and a principal. He was an accomplished referee, having reached the University level at an early age. As well as being a mentor to young officials during his career, he was a valued member of the Executive Committee for over 20 years. Les served the Association as Board Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President, Interpreter and Supervisor. During one difficult season, Les stepped up also as a replacement Appointer and worked two positions. Known to many as Coach Hughes, his passion extended beyond the classroom, as he was a lifelong runner and an avid supporter of student athletics, contributing his time as a basketball coach and referee. For nearly 30 years, he led the elite Sun Youth Summer Girls Basketball Programme. He had a sincere belief in the power of sports to transform lives, particularly through athletic scholarships, volunteering countless hours to basketball clinics, camps, mentoring, and working tirelessly to help young athletes and officials achieve their dreams. Beyond the victories and scholarships, he believed in forging friendships and creating a sense of camaraderie to last a lifetime. His inclusive spirit shined on and off the basketball court. He wanted everyone to feel part of the team, regardless of their skill set. He fostered a sense of belonging and unity, where everyone could contribute their unique talents, both in basketball and in acts of community that transcended the game. Basketball was his life. He lived and breathed it.