All-Star Basketball Personalities  from the Past   Luminaries Lost

The Roundball Showcase All-Star Basketball Games trace their history back to the 1976-77 basketball season when they were started by Bill Gaffey with the help of his Assistant Coach Randy Brenner and a number of Harrisburg area people. The first series was staged at Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg.   Listed on this page are some of those who were instrumental in making the games a success and helping to establish them as the longest running All-Star Games of their kind in Pennsylvania today..  Thanks to all those who have helped and especially to those who are now gone but not forgotten, "our luminaries lost."

Earl Hoffman Sr, he owned and operated Hoffman Fordland in Harrisburg.  He sponsored the t-shirts for the players in the earlier Roundball All-Star games played at Bishop McDevitt High School.  He was also a PIAA basketball official and served as a Dauphin County Commissioner and later as a West Hanover Supervisor.

Ed Lysaght, he earned a reputation as the premier director of bar operations in the Harrisburg Capitol Area with many of the well known leading legislators in Pennsylvania State Government.  It was during his employ at Cafe Maurice in 1976 that the Roundball All-Star Games were envisioned and organized and Ed was one of the driving forces in their inception.  He served as the first "Chairman of the Board."

Fritz Monahan, he came to the Harrisburg area from St. Clair to work for the State Government for many years.  He was named as the first "Chairman of the Board" for the Roundball All-Star Games.  At Castillo's Restaurant on the corner of Linglestown Road and Colonial Road, the proprietor, Jim Castillo put up a special coat hook with a plaque that read, "Fritz Monahan, Chairman of the Board, All-Star Games."

Paul Stein, he was one of the well-known and well-respected  PIAA basketball officials in the Central Pennsylvania area.  He lived in the Susquehanna Twp. area of Harrisburg and was assigned to referee many of the more important basketball games in the state.  He was one of a number of basketball officials who donated his services in the early years of the All-Star Games.  The officials are paid today for their services.

Bob Stevens, he was the Sales Manager and Sports Director for Radio Station WCTX that broadcast many of the earlier Pennsylvania/Maryland All-Star games.  He was a driving force in helping to mold the All-Star Games including pre-game coaches dinners and organizing post-game "roasts" at Lombardos for organizers and coaches.

Dr. Thomas Trosko, he donated his time as the physician for the All-Star Games when the NCAA required a doctor for these events.  He was an outstanding athlete in his high school days at Plains H.S. and Wilkes College.  He once ran back a punt 77 yards in a 14-0 Wilkes College victory over Haverford College.  He later served as the team doctor for the Harrisburg High School football team.

"Doc" Wallace, he served as All-Star Trainer for many years when the games were played at Cumberland Valley High School and Susquehanna Twp. High School.  He always had a smile and offered his insight on people being found in "deep sneakers."  He retired as a well liked Social Studies teacher and Trainer from Central Dauphin High School where he picked up the nickname "Doc."