Friends of Basketball

Ross & Dorothy Pitman

Year Inducted: 1989

Category: Friends of Basketball

Schools / Organizations:
(Oneida) ROWVA High School (serving the towns of Rio, Oneida, Victoria, Wataga, and Altona)

Biography:  Ross and Dorothy Pitman of Rio were dedicated basketball fans. They had attended nearly every boys’ basketball game in the ROWVA district for more than 25 years leading to their induction. That included from all levels from junior high school through high school varsity teams. When girls’ athletics became an integral part of the interscholastic program, the Pitmans added girls’ junior high and senior high schedules to their agenda. That meant as many as four or five nights a week for basketball. Sometimes, when the ROWVA teams were off, the Pitmans watched the nearby Galesburg Silver Streaks. The Pitmans never wanted to be late for the preliminary games, so Dorothy would pick Ross up from work in Galesburg.  Ross would change his clothes in the backseat on the way to the game. They felt their biggest contribution to  the basketball teams was loyalty. “Win or lose, the team knows we will still be in there for the next game,” the Pitmans said. Since their son Jim’s graduation, the interest increased. They also included football, volleyball and track meets in their schedule. If ROWVA athletes were involved, the Pitmans were usually there.  Ross died in the year 200 having been preceded by Dorothy who died on April 4, 1998.