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Brotherhood Tournament -
History - The First 50 Years
Originally conceived as an ecumenical movement
by its founders (Weldon Haire, George Dixon, and Robert O’Brien),
the Chelmsford Brotherhood has broadened through the years to
include all CYBL registrants above the Mite Division, plus the
High School Division. The philosophy of the Brotherhood is to
expound brother - sisterhood within the Town of Chelmsford under
the leadership of the CYBL. The Brotherhood Basketball Tournament
follows the CYBL regular season.
During recent years, ecumenism has been greatly emphasized in
religious circles. For many more years, fraternal organizations
have expounded the concept of working for some common cause with
the communities within their boundaries. These associations promotes
a kinsmanship philosophy that readily displays kindness and affection
toward their members through sisterhood / brotherhood.
The original founders Weldon M. Haire, George Dixon and Robert
O’Brien had that quality of leadership that propagated the development
of brother-sisterhood principles through their trust in the leadership
that followed their departure. (The late Weldon M. Haire, a well
known community leader and sportswriter for local newspapers,
was widely known as the voice of the Boston Bruins.)
A brief chronological history of the Brotherhood Tournament:
1955:
The 1st Annual Brotherhood included a High School Division, Junior
High Division and the Grammar School Division for both boys and
girls. The Knights of Columbus sponsored a town program for what
was equivalent to the present CYBL Cadet and Junior Divisions
for boys, while the YMCA had some games operating here as well
as in Lowell, for boys and girls. The nucleus for the original
Brotherhood Tournament included both of these locally involved
groups as well as CYO teams from St. Johns and St. Mary’s. Everyone,
whether members of these organization or not, was allowed to play
in the early years of the Brotherhood Tournaments. The founders
placed non-rostered registrants on existing tearns, where needed,
and formed entire teams, when possible.
1956 - 1967:
Some of the founders passed their leadership roles on to others.
Some of those leaders included Fran Teague, Rev. Harry Foster,
Bill Miller and Ralph Jenkins. George Dixon remained on this committee
the longest of the founders for the purpose of assuring a smooth
transition. Flexibility prevailed as regards to the adult divisions.
If 4 or more teams registered a division was included, both male
and female.
1968 - 1970:
Chelmsford (Boy’s) Church League entered into expanded Brotherhood
Tournament. Registration fees were the responsibility of Church
sponsors. Strict rules that participants had to be members of
local church sponsoring teams were initiated. Churches not registering
for the tourney could not have their members play for any team
that year. The emphasis was to have sponsors work toward promoting
greater interest in Brotherhood Tourney participation.
1971 - 1976:
As the flourishing Brotherhood Tourney expanded it included girl’s
Chelmsford Church League teams, CYO teams, and non-residents belonging
to sponsoring Church teams. The Brotherhood Tournament Committee
worked cooperatively with the organized programs, especially the
Chelmsford Church League, to promote the inclusion of non-church
affiliated registrants. Much discussion took place during these
years, especially by the Chelmsford Church League, concerning
establishing “pool” players and how they might be assigned to
existing teams. This continuing dialogue brought about change.
1977 - 1982:
With “pool” players finally agreed upon, and with the Church League’s
start of a gradual turn-over from church-sponsored teams to town-wide
programs, the Brotherhood Tournament Committee was again able
to service the entire Brotherhood Community. This strong effort
and devotion by the proponents resulted in the present CYBL structure.
1982 - 1985:
With the completion of the town-wide concept by the local league,
the Brotherhood Committee was able to allow rostered teams, however
qualified, to be supplemented by “pool” players. The committee
expanded, in 1984, from 3 members to 5 members. In 1985, the committee’s
dialogue with the CYBL resulted in a compromise that raised the
membership to 8 but, more importantly, opened the door to future
considerations for an umbrella-like arrangement that will help
assure the continuation and success of the entire BROTHERHOOD
concept initiated by the founders of the BROTHERHOOD TOURNAMENT
COMMITTEE.
1986 - Present:
The Chelmsford Youth Basketball League (CYBL) now promotes and
operates the tournament as part of the league operations.
NOTE: This historical information was researched through the collective
recollection, files and reports of George Dixon, Bob O’Brien,
Rev. Harry Foster, Ralph Jenkins, Bill Miller, George Greenman,
and the Chelmsford Newsweekly.
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