Fremont honors fallen Joe Biggs with memorial basketball tournament
George Joseph Biggs is the only police officer killed in the line of duty for Fremont.
"We're going to honor Joe Biggs and money will be used to refurbish some of the basketball courts and parks in Fremont," Showtime AAU director John Cahill said. "Fremont stakeholders came together. It's a win.
"It's a cool event for the city. It's easy to get behind. It's great to have a basketball connection with the police. They'll hand out medals."
Joe Biggs Memorial Basketball Tournament games are Saturday and Sunday at Fremont Ross and Fremont Rec Center, with bracket matchups Sunday. Attendance is $10 for both days and $7 for one day.
Cahill's father, Herb Cahill, was friends with Biggs' older brother, Archie Biggs. Joe and Archie played football at Ross and Archie was a coach for the Little Giants.
George Kettner was killed in the line of duty as a Fremont fireman. Eastside Park is now Biggs-Kettner Park.
"I run a lot of local basketball stuff in Fremont, but with Joe and my dad's connection with Archie," Cahill said. "My dad died several years ago. We'll have a chance to refurbish parks I played on as a kid and my current players play on would be nice.
"Growing up, we played park basketball. Maybe there will be opportunities to get out and play pick-up like we used to. We wanted to give back to the community and honor police."
Biggs was crushed by a vehicle while outside his car, during a pursuit in 1948. He was only a police officer for three months, after returning from military service.
"We want to get the story out there," Cahill said. "It's a chance to give back to parks where kids played for years and honor the only Fremont police officer killed in the line of duty."
Sports tourism is obviously important to Cahill. He's passionate about athletics and Fremont.
"We have a lot to offer here," he said. "Local businesses that provide great services. You can eat downtown or go to Whitey's for breakfast. You want to support them and show them off.
"We're trying to get on the same page in Fremont. It will only grow from here and I'm glad to be a part of it."
Tournament sponsors include North Coast Showtime, Fremont Ohio Police Department, Fremont FOP Lodge 35, Mayor Danny Sanchez, Fremont Rec Center, Cavs Youth Sports and Cleveland Charge.
"People can see businesses I enjoy and I'm proud of," Cahill said. "People can come back and support local businesses. I can show my friends in Cleveland, and down south, Marion and so forth, see Fremont.
"People from Bucyrus. People that don't come to Fremont often will be here and we'll show off what we have to offer."
Each player receives a Cavaliers shooting sleeve. A silent auction includes Cavaliers autographs and tickets, and Charge autographs.
"We go to a lot of AAU tournaments," Cahill said. "This one has some cool features to make it special."
mhorn@gannett.com
419-307-4892
Twitter: @MatthewHornNH
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Basketball community pays respect to Joe Biggs with memorial tourney
