Randall, Reilly & Gillis inducted into Broward Hall of Fame
FORT LAUDERDALE — John Keister, Richard “Butch” Ingram, Wade Edmond, Greg Samuel, Otis Gray, Louise Crocco, Marcia Pinder, George Smith … those are the men and women that inspired Melvin Randall along the way to winning a record eight FHSAA state championships.
Tuesday night, the legendary Pompano Beach Blanche Ely boys basketball coach was one of seven inductees — three with basketball ties — that were inducted into the Broward County Sports Hall Fame.
“This is indeed a pivotal occasion and I am humbled as I stand before you,” said Randall, who in 25 years has won six state titles at Ely and two more at Deerfield Beach. “First and foremost, I want to thank the Hall of Fame committee for judging me worthy of this honor. To my fellow class of 2018 inductees, congratulations to you. It is a privilege to stand here and share this milestone with you.
“Secondly, I am grateful to those individuals who have inspired me into following their blueprint. John Keister, my high school coach at South Plantation, was very structured, very disciplined. And a good man, good coach. Coach Butch Ingram … speaks for itself … inspired me as well, from Dillard. Wade Edmond, Ely High School, one of my mentors that did the same. Greg Samuel, from Hallandale High School, followed his blueprint as well. Otis Gray, coached football and I coached basketball, but Otis Gray. Yes, legendary football coach at Dillard High School inspired me as well.
“Louise Crocco, from Cardinal Gibbons. Had to find out how she was winning state titles year after year and national titles. Sat at some of her volleyball games and watched her demeanor on how she coached those girls. And, yes, Louise Crocco very inspirational. Also, Marcia Pinder, from Dillard High School, the great legendary girls coach from Dillard. Appreciate you as well … followed your blueprint. George Smith, St. Thomas football coach. Really appreciate you. Although I didn’t know very much about football, I was in the stands watching you as well and appreciate you. Their encouraging efforts, demeanor and knowledge of their sport prepared me as a coach.”
Randall goes into the Broward Sports Hall of Fame alongside Jim Reilly, founder of the Kreul Classic, and Rocky Gillis, the Broward County Athletic Association athletic director. Also going in: Twan Russell (St. Thomas Aquinas, football); Dave Hyde (Sun Sentinel, media); Claire Sua-Amundson (St. Thomas Aquinas, softball); and Seilala Sua-Zumbado (St. Thomas Aquinas, track & field).
Randall won two state titles (1997, 1999) in his eight seasons at Deerfield Beach before moving on to Ely in 2002 and winning six more (2007, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018).
He thanked his coaching staff, former players, fellow teachers and family. Randall has won more than 550 games in his sensational career.
Reilly, a longtime resident of Coral Springs, was the president of the Florida Gold Coast AAU for 12 years. He set up the area’s first Nike league for high school teams, and in 1989 founded the Kreul Classic. This December will mark the 29th annual Kreul.
“We started with eight boys and eight girls teams,” Reilly said. “The high school experience is very meaningful time in a young person’s life. I am sure that everyone here who played sports remembers their coach as evidenced here tonight by so many of the coaches that were mentioned. We brought in college coaches to speak to the kids. … The tournament now hosts 36 teams from 12 states and funds scholarships to graduating Broward County seniors. This year will mark our 90th academic scholarship to Florida Atlantic University.”
Gillis has been a teacher, coach and athletic administrator at Pompano Beach High and Ely High, as well as at the district level.
If you have high school basketball news, you can reach Pat Lammer via e-mail at PatALammer@Gmail.com or via text at 954-661-9671.