It is with profound sadness that the Perth Basketball Association announces the recent passing of one of its Life Members and club great, Edmund Rogers.
Ed, as he was known to many in the club, had been suffering health problems for the past six or so years. He died peacefully surrounded by members of his close and extended family last Tuesday. A funeral service will be held for the late Mr Rogers at the Karrakatta crematorium on Tuesday December 3rd at 11.30 am.
Ed Rogers came to Perth from the United States in 1963/4 and made Perth his home for the next 55 years. Ed was a student at Oregon State University where he played college football including an appearance at the 1957 Rose Bowl. Ed was inducted into the Oregon State football Hall of Fame in 2012. Ed was a founding member of the Perth Basketball Club and played on the inaugural 1964 A grade Men’s team, the fore-runner of the Redbacks SBL Men’s team. Ed was active in the club for over 30 years as junior men’s coordinator, Vice President and President. Ed had the skills, personality and drive to bring many people into the game as players, coaches, officials and administrators.
In the sixties and early seventies, as a Phys Ed teacher at Armadale SHS, Tuart Hill SHS and Mirrabooka SHS, Ed recruited a number of players who represented the Perth club and at the local, state and international level. The Stirling Basketball Club also owes its establishment to the ground-breaking work of Ed Rogers.
At the Perth Redbacks, Ed promoted an inclusive culture which emphasised the importance of family, school and basketball which endures to this very day. Ed loved the game and passed that on to players and former players who worked hard to realise a successful Perth Basketball Association which has developed over the past 55 years into the successful basketball club it is today and will be into the future.
The Perth Basketball Association extends its condolences particularly to Ed’s daughter Winona, her husband Sam and their two children at this difficult time.