Gabe LaGrange - 2005
#41 Gabe LaGrange
Gabe LaGrange - 1995
|
|
ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
When Forester fans think of raw power with sweet finesse, one man comes to their minds: Gabe Lagrange.
Gabe was not only the powerhouse big-man of the 2000 Final Four, but he was always a threat to shoot the ball from beyond the arc. Those who watched Gabe had to appreciate his size, strength and soft touch. He is Huntington's 4th All-Time career scorer with 2,191 points in 118 games, averaging 18.6 points a game.
Gabe was two-time All-American honorable mention as well as a two-time all MCC First-Team selection before his senior year. Then, as a senior, he led the team to the NAIA D2 Final Four with 21.2 points and 7.4 rebounds a game, earning him First-Team NAIA All-American honors.
THE COLLEGE DECISION
Gabe graduated from Delta High School in 1995. For the geographically challenged, Delta is down in the Muncie area. Coach Platt recruited Gabe out of High School, but Gabe chose Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, FL.
He spent one semester there and decided it was not the proper fit, so he met with Coach Platt again and decided to attend Huntington. He especially liked the style of ball that was played, a style in which he felt he could use all of his abilities instead of being a full-time post player. He also liked Coach Platt's philosophy on defense, stressing that you should take it personal when someone scores on you.
THAT SPECIAL MOMENT
When Gabe was a freshman (see photo at left), he met a young lady named Judy in freshman English class. He claims he was first attracted to her 31-inch vertical leap, but we're not convinced. They soon began to date, and were married a few years later after college graduation. They now have a two-year old son, Luke, and are expecting their second child in January.
|
|
CHOSEN CAREER PATH
After graduation in 2000, Gabe worked for Forest Pharmaceuticals in Dayton, OH. Gabe states, "God opened the door for a job for me in Dayton, right where Judy was already scheduled to attend grad school."
He heard about the job possibility through Coach Platt who was contacted by a former Forester basketball player, Matt Michael.
After 2-1/2 years in Dayton, Gabe and Judy decided to move closer to home. In 2003, they returned to the Fort Wayne area and he took a new job with Synthes Spine. In May of 2004, Gabe started work with Stryker Orthopedics, where he is currently employed as a sales representative.
HALL OF FAME HONOR
Gabe is highly honored to receive Hall of Fame recognition his first year of eligibility.
He says, "This is a great honor and it's also a great time to reflect on those four years of basketball. I know I owe it all to my teammates and to Coach Platt."
HUNTINGTON MEMORIES
Gabe has great memories at Huntington. He recalls being able to develop one-on-one relationships with professors he will not soon forget. Gabe says, "The professors at Huntington always had an open door, which allowed those relationships to grow."
Gabe attributes success of the basketball program to the way Coach Platt develops team chemistry. He attributes his own success to that, along with some great teammates. "We always had great team chemistry, on and off the court," he says.
The success and the memories continue to be realized by different players every year. Gabe says, "When I played, it was a goal to get to the NAIA national tournament. Now it's a disappointment if they don't go."
That is a great expectation. The success of this program is also evident in the quality of new recruits that are coming to HU.
- by Jamie Hotchkiss ('95)
|
