John McDonaugh, Officiating Excellence
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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
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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
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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. |