Reg.#17435, S/Sgt. Allen G. Rae - A Special RCMP Veteran

Reg.#17435, S/Sgt. Allen G. Rae

Retired and Remarkable

Reg.#17435, S/Sgt. A. G. Rae - Retired

Served RCMP 1952 to 1972

'One Highly Regarded and Unique RCMP Ambassador'

 Upper Photo

(L) Reg.#17435, S/Sgt. A. G. Rae - Retired with

(R) Reg.# 33612, S/S/M John Buis, Burnaby Detachment

Lower Photo

(L front row) Reg.#17435, S/Sgt. A. G. Rae - Retired

with a hero, James Naismith 

The 2011 Unveiling of

the James Naismith Statue in Almonte, Ontario

(photos from the Buis collection)

I'm proud to know Staff/Sergeant/Major John Buis of Burnaby Detachment. His DNA consists strictly of RCMP strands. Thus, I can attest that he has been an active volunteer with BC's boys basketball almost from the time when basketball hoops were made of straw.

John also knows all the who-who's that ever stepped on the gym floor within the sport of Canadian basket ball.

Last summer, John's luck played out because he was invited to the Unveiling of the James Naismith Statue in Almonte, ON. It was during this trip, that John Buis met a very memorable person who also had a long connection and career with the Force.

History is never completely revealed and the short story which follows proves that the point.  Hereunder, John Buis tells us about a remarkable retired member. (JJHealy, Reg.#23685)

John Buis says: 'I have gotten to know Allen Rae since the event last summer and learned he is S/Sgt. Allen Rae (retired) Reg. # 17435. He was a member of the RCMP from 1952 until he retired in 1972. He trained at "N" Division, served in "F" Division and later transferred to the RCMP Visa Control Section at the Canadian Embassy in Stuttgart, West Germany, Delhi, India and Tokyo Japan. 

I have further learned that Allen Rae is the most respected international basketball referee ever produced by Canada. His officiating record of four straight Olympic Games (1964, 1968, 1972 and 1976) may never be surpassed by another Canadian referee. During his officiating career, Allen refereed in 19 countries and taught at referee clinics in 49 countries. He is the only Canadian ever inducted into the FIBA (world governing body of basketball) Hall of Fame. Much of Allen's international refereeing career occurred while he was a member of the RCMP.

I think that retired Allen Rae is an example of an outstanding Canadian who had a great career in the RCMP.' 

S/S/M John Buis continues: 'Here is a synopsis of Allen's officiating career I located on Wikipedia.

Allen Rae (born December 26, 1932 in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada) is a retired Canadian basketball referee. He refereed in the 1964 Olympics, 1968 Olympics, 1972 Olympics (including a semi-final game in each of those) and 1976 Olympics. He also refereed the final of the 1975 European Championship. He was the Technical Commissioner in 1984 Olympics, 1988 Olympics, 1992 Olympics, 1990 World Championship and 1983 Pan American Games. From 1984 to 1994, he served as Vice President of the Technical Commission of the FIBA. He is the President of the Dr. James Naismith Basketball Foundation & Museum since 2003. In 2007, he was enshrined in the FIBA Hall of Fame.

Highlights: Here is the list of his accomplishments from the FIBA Hall of Fame:

Refereed in 4 Olympic Games: Tokyo 1964, Mexico 1968, Munich 1972 and Montreal 1976 

·     Called 3 Olympic Semi-Finals: Tokyo 1964, Mexico 1968, Munich 1972

·     Refereed the Final of the 1975 European Championship for Men in Belgrade

      Called in 4 Pan American Games: Winnipeg 1967, Cali 1971, Mexico City 1975 and San Juan 1979

·     Called in many other international tournaments and championships, including World University Games, Asian Games, R. William Jones Cups, national league games/finals in India, Japan, etc.

 

·        Technical Commissioner in 3 Olympic Games (Los Angeles 1984, Seoul 1988 and Barcelona 1992), in the Argentina 1990 World Championship and in the Caracas 1983 Pan American Games

·        FIBA International Referee Instructor: 1976-1994

·        Member of the Technical Commission of FIBA: 1976-1994

·        President of the Technical Commission of FIBA-Americas: 1983-1993

·        Vice President of the Technical Commission of FIBA: 1984-1994

·        Script writer, editor and/or director of several FIBA technical aids/films, including Basketball by the Rules, Mechanics of Officiating and FIBA Rule Changes

·        Member of the Dr. James Naismith Basketball Foundation & Museum in Almonte (an institution dedicated to preserving the legacy of the inventor of basketball): 1989-2003

·        President of the Dr. James Naismith Basketball Foundation & Museum since 2003

Distinctions/Recognitions:

·        FIBA Order of Merit in 1997

·        Inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998, the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000 and the City of Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame in 2005

·        Lifetime Achievement Award from the Coaching Association of Canada in 2002

·        Lifetime Achievement Award at the City of Ottawa Sports Awards in 2006

·        Outstanding Contribution to Officiating in Canada from Sports Officials Canada in 2006.'
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     History of the Force is the sum of special people who have served in the Force. One very, very special person is S/Sgt. Allen Rae. 

    Yet, there exists thousands of other 'specials' like retired S/Sgt. Allen Rae excepting they have contributed their energy, skills and talents in a very different directions.  Other members have also left their imprint in the minds of Canadians when help or volunteer work was needed. 
   
   It is a pleasure to learn more about the life of S/Sgt. Allen Rae and his remarkable connection to Canadian basket ball.  Thank you John Buis.

     I think that if James Naismith were alive to day, he would make Allen Rae his first choise for life long Coach and John Buis as Allen Rae's full time Assistant Coach!

    With a winning coaching staff of these two men, I'd volunteer to be Water Boy Person.

     Contributor and Appreciation: S/S/M John Buis, Burnaby Detachment.

'Maintain Our Memories'

J. J. Healy,
Reg.#23685