On January 17, 2009, Masters College will add Long Beach resident Dennis Lord to a growing list of honored athletes in the school’s Basketball Hall of Fame at a public ceremony on the campus in Newhall at LA Baptist College.

Playing in 1968-1972, Lord won a starting role as a freshman on the ’68-’69 Men’s Team, which is being honored separately for being the national scoring leaders in the NAIA for team offense averaging 104.0 per game.  In his sophomore year, he established a season rebounding record, which still stands today.

A small school at the time with less than 300 students, Masters fielded a team of seven players with a front line of 6’ 10” Mike Basarich, 6’ 9” Dennis Lord, and 6’ 8” Jerry Owens.  Known for his consistency and aggressive play, Lord shared the Sportswriter’s “Player of the Week” with Bill Walton (UCLA) in January 1972 and was named MVP of an Independent College Tournament in Riverside.

Lord played on three US amateur teams that travelled to 52 countries playing the Olympic and National teams of those countries during the summers of ’71, ’72, and ’77.  In 1972, he was recruited by the New York Nets of the former American Basketball League but declined a contract with their European development team and returned to his job at Southern California Gas Company.  He is currently the Gas Company’s governmental liaison to the City of Long Beach and is a familiar face around City Hall.

For more information on the event contact Steve Dixon (661-259-3540 x3345)
Event Location:  North Campus, NE corner of Quigley Cyn Rd. & Placeritos Blvd, Newhall CA  (Music Hall)
10 a.m., January 17, 2009