Friends of Basketball

George and Babe Lawrence

Year Inducted: 1993

Category: Friends of Basketball

Schools / Organizations:

Peoria Area High Schools

Bradley University

Biography:

George Lawrence attended Minonk High School.  His wife, Babe, attended Roanoke High School.  The East Peoria pair had been following basketball in Illinois for 44 years at the time of their induction.  They began when their son was still in grade school and followed him when he played at East Peoria High School.  The Lawrences next adopted Bradley University and followed the Braves loyally.  They were declared “special Bradley fans” by the athletic department.  The Lawrences continued to follow high school basketball and always could be found at the Morris Shootout in the summer or watching the Coca Cola Summer League at ICC.  They followed Bradley when it still played home games at the Armory, but they never stopped following the high school games.  These true Peoria fans rarely missed a Bradley home game and drove to some of the away games.  They were even on the airplane when the Braves would travel out of the country.  These Peoria supporters were deemed “the epitome of fans” by Manual coach Dick Van Scyoc.

George died on September 4, 2000.  Babe died on October 21, 2015  at the age of 96.