In The Argus (a Melbourne newspaper) of 20th June 1956 there was an article that read “Prahran centre half forward Lindsay Gaze will not be available again this year. He will concentrate on basketball instead.”
Nobody at the time could have imagined what this decision would mean for basketball in Australia. History will show Lindsay has contributed to the betterment of basketball in Melbourne and Australia in every way possible.
Lindsay was an integral part of the Church team that proved year after year they were the best domestic club in Australia. He and a number of his Church teammates progressed to the Victorian State team that again proved too strong for the opposition on more occasions than not.
In 1960 he was selected in the Australian Olympic team which was the start of a long association with this team which saw him selected to the team three times as a player, always with some Church teammates. In addition he also played at the World Championships.
During his playing career he commenced coaching the Tigers junior teams so once he ceased playing it was only natural that he would one day become the head coach of the senior team. Again Lindsay progressed from club level to State level and then international at Olympic and World Championship level.
When he was not playing or coaching he was involved in the administration of the sport. This enabled the Gaze family to live at the home of basketball in Victoria, Albert Park stadium in which he and the family covered all jobs from sweeping floors to working in the canteen.
Among the highlights of such a long career in basketball are two NBL Championships, three NBL Coach of the Year awards, inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame and the Naismith Hall of Fame and the list goes on.
The Melbourne Tigers would not be where they are today and have their rich history without Lindsay Gaze who tonight is finally an official Melbourne Tigers Legend.
