Less than a decade after leading Haines High School to its first boys’ basketball state championship, Kyle Fossman became the first Glacier Bear to have his number retired.
The school honored Fossman before the boys’ varsity game against Craig on Saturday. Fossman, who is playing professional basketball in Germany, missed the ceremony, but a few hours later scored the game-winning shot for his team, father Steve Fossman reported.
“Retiring a number is a very, very historic thing,” said Mark McNamara, a former NBA player who helped mentor Fossman. “It’s only happened four or five times in Alaska, ever. No one on the boys’ basketball team will ever wear this number again.”
McNamara was the main speaker during the 20-minute ceremony that unveiled a banner up in the rafters, displaying Fossman’s No. 42. McNamara also spearheaded the effort to honor the 2010 Haines graduate.
Letters of support came from former Haines girls basketball coach Brian Elliott, former superintendent Michael Byer; Juneau-Douglas coach Robert Casperson; former Haines principal and Alaska School Activities Association head Gary Matthews and others.
Referring to Kyle’s sophomore year at the state tournament, Matthews wrote, “He was truly a man among boys and was very instrumental in the team winning all three games and the state championship.” Haines won a second state championship in 2010.
Fossman’s Glacier Bear home jersey now is displayed in the Haines School trophy case, and his framed, dark away jersey was presented to sister Penny Fossman on his behalf.
Kyle’s parents, Steve and Ann Fossman, coached the Glacier Bears that night following the ceremony.
Steve said the event “was really nice and special and I’m happy for Kyle. I think it will lead to real good things down the road.”
McNamara also read a statement from Kyle, who said he was “extremely honored and thankful for the retirement of the number 42; it means the world to me.”
“The community has been so supportive of high school sports in Haines and it makes playing the sport that much more fun because you have a community by your side,” Fossman said. “… Every game that I have played in my post high school career I have seen as a chance to represent Haines. Haines is my home and I will forever be a Glacier Bear.”
McNamara said Fossman was the “poster boy” for recognition due to his athletic achievements following high school, as well as his academic performance and character.
Fossman was valedictorian of his high school class and Gatorade Player of the Year in Alaska. He tallied around 30 points per game at his peak. He then starred at the University of Alaska Anchorage, where he torched three-point records.
McNamara said he hopes the number retirement ceremony serves as a kickoff for a Haines High School athletic Hall of Fame, and referred to standouts such as Carl Blackhurst and Sarah Swinton, who are in the Alaska High School Hall of Fame.
“It’s for the kids that are here now, to aspire to greatness, to celebrate with pride what their school has done in the past,” he said.