Joe Farrugia is now happily retired in Sussex Inlet, but back in 1979 he was appointed to coach the Illawarra Hawks in the first season of the National Basketball League (NBL).
The Hawks are the only foundation club to survive until now.
The NBL has awarded its licence to an international syndicate that will change the team's name as it looks to attract new fans to the club.
When asked about the move, Farrugia was surprisingly upbeat.
"You have to be pragmatic. It is a franchise, it is a business, and to survive, I don't think there was any other option," he said.
"From the business side of things, it obviously makes sense. But obviously it hurts people who want to hear the name Illawarra."
Originally from Malta, Farrugia was recruited by the Commonwealth to coach basketball.
"In '77, I came to the Illawarra, and I was the assistant to Adrian Hurley, who ended up coaching Australia," he said.
"That was in the state league, and in '79, when the national league was instituted, I got the job as coach of the Illawarra Hawks."
Farrugia remembers some dramatic nights at the old Snakepit.
"When I close my eyes, I can still hear the crowd in 1979 chanting 'Ill-a-war-ra! Ill-a-war-ra!' That's the sentimental side of things," he said.
Farrugia was still a big basketball fan, and he's been there for all the ups and downs of the team, including the whirlwind that was LaMelo Ball.
"My friends all around the world suddenly started to hear about the Illawarra Hawks, but by the same token, they couldn't believe a professional basketball game was stopped by a roof leak in this day and age! I just couldn't believe it."
He was looking forward to seeing more home games when the team gets back on court.
"Oh yes, I'm a Platinum member. My heart is there. I love it."
