It is with great sadness that the executive announces the passing of long-time Hamilton Board referee, mentor, executive member and friend, Jim Lyle. Mr. Lyle passed in his sleep last night.
Jim was a founding member of the Hamilton Board, serving the basketball community since 1951. As a member of the Ontario Association of Basketball Officials (OABO), he received his 65 Years Service Award and was also honoured with the Basketball Ontario Volunteer Award and the OABO Award of Merit during his career. Jim was also a proud member of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, having joined in 1961, and received his 55 Years Service Award from IAABO.
Locally, Jim’s legacy will always be remembered and continues on in part as the namesake of the Jim Lyle / Bob Wilmot Dedicated Officials Award, an honour bestowed upon both he and his long-time friend & fellow Hamilton Board member Mr. Bob Wilmot in 1995. Over the years, Jim served on the Hamilton Board executive in multiple capacities, and was presented with the title Executive Emeritus in 2013, the same year that Mr. Lyle became a member of the Hamilton Boards inaugural class of Lifetime Membership Inductees, recognizing “exceptional long-term service that has contributed to the foundation, growth and continued development of the Hamilton Board.”
Jim will always be remembered as a great basketball official, and an even better person. A celebration of life will take place at a later date. May he rest in peace.
