This year's class includes four coaches and an individual who donned the uniform and also coached in the community college system.
John Smith, who coached at San Bernardino and Riverside City colleges, won a state championship while at Riverside in 2009 and is currently the associate head coach at Cal State Fullerton. He spent nine years as the head coach at Riverside City College, compiling a 196-87 record, the second-highest win total in school history. He coached the Tigers to four conference championships (2005, 2007, 2010, 2011), nine-postseason berths, five 20-win seasons, and the state championship, which was the school's first in 43 years since Hall of Fame Head Coach Jerry Tarkanian accomplished the feat three-straight times in the 1960s. Prior to RCC, Smith spent four seasons as the head coach and Assistant Athletics Director at San Bernardino Valley College, posting an 88-40 overall record and a state championship tournament semifinal appearance in 2003. His community college coaching record stands at 265-118.
Former Chabot and Las Positas head coach Tony Costello, passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 57. He was an advocate for the coaches association, serving as its president from 2003-05. He coached in East Bay high school and community college basketball for more than 30 years. Costello spent 17 seasons at Chabot College, including 14 as the head coach. At Chabot, Costello's teams qualified for the regional playoffs 12 times and won conference championships in 2003 and 2005. Chabot advanced to the state's final eight in 2002 and the Sweet 16 in 1997. He concluded his career at Chabot with a 250-179 record. Costello went on to become Las Positas' first coach after the school introduced a men's basketball program. His teams went 100-77 in their first six years, reaching the playoffs in the 2007-08, 2010-11, and 2011-12 seasons. The Hawks advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2012.
Former Porterville and Bakersfield coach George Nessman, who won a state championship while coaching at Porterville in 2000, will also be enshrined. Nessman who coached at Porterville eight seasons racked up a 188-68 record during his time with the Pirates. His 2000 championship team went 33-4 and his 2000 and 2001 teams combined to win 40 consecutive games. He followed it up with two years at Bakersfield where the Renegades were 30-32 under his leadership.
Ralph Kravfe of Bakersfield College coached the Renegades to its only men's basketball championship in 1978. Kravfe, who was previously inducted into the Kern County Bob Elias Sports Hall of Fame with the Class of 1994, is "known as a tough taskmaster whose teams were always in top condition." Three players from his state championship team signed with a Division I school, with two others earning scholarships at Division II programs. Before coaching Bakersfield, he was a legendary high school coach, winning 82 percent of the games in 13 seasons at East High School. His teams won nine South Yosemite League titles and four Valley Championships.
Former player Louie Small from San Joaquin Delta College was a two-year starter for the well-oiled scoring machine at Delta from 1965-67. Small's freshman year the Mustangs averaged 92.3 points per game, finishing with an overall record of 24-4. He averaged 23.4 points/game, earning first team all-conference honors as well as all-tournament at the state championship. His sophomore year he helped the Mustangs average 102.1 points per game and again finished 24-4. He went on to earn all-conference, all-state and all-tournament at the state championship. At the state tournament, he scored 50 points as the Delta defeated Riverside, 150-120. The 150 points and Small's 50-point performance remain state records. After graduating, Small accepted a scholarship to Kansas State, a program coached by Tex Winter and Cotton Fitzsimmons. Small went to earn first team Big-8 honors before deciding to transfer to UNLV, where he was named the Rebels' MVP. He was drafted in the 9th round by the Golden State Warriors and in the 1st round of the ABA draft by the Utah Stars. Smalls played all of 10 years of his professional career in Mexico, where he was a four-time all-star, two-time league MVP and the league's leading scorer in 1976 at 31.1 points per game. He helped his team win three Mexican Professional championships (1976, 1977 and 1978).
Current CCCMBCA cardholders are admitted to the luncheon for free, the cost for guests is $25 which is payable at the door. The luncheon will be held at the Double Tree Hilton, 7050 Johnson Drive Pleasanton, CA 94588 in the Gold/Silver Room.
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