Legends of the 715: Basketball Hall of Famer Cliff Fagan

You want to talk about a person who’s passion and dedication was sports? It’s Cliff Fagan.

Cliff wasn’t born in the 715 area code (born in Mankato), but part of his legacy was built during his time in Eau Claire.

Cliff began his life of sports as a high school referee and coach. His high school coaching stops included: Sturgeon Bay, East Green Bay and Eau Claire High Schools. He also was the football coach at UW-Eau Claire from 1943-1947.

Then Cliff would become heavily involved in the administration aspect of sports. He would become the Executive Director for the WIAA from 1947-1957. Then he would become the Executive Director of the National Federation of State High School Athletic Associations from 1957-1977. During that same time, he served on the U.S. Olympic Committee Board of Directors 1961-77.

Cliff was also the founder and president the Amateur Basketball Association and the Confederation of Pan American Basketball Associations.

He would then become president of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame from 1963 to 1969 and be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor in 1984.

There’s so much more we could list off of Cliff’s sports resume, but there’s no doubt about it that this man dedicated his life to sports and improving sports for everyone.