MIES (FIBA Hall of Fame) - On Monday 27 May, FIBA announced the 2013 Class of Inductees of the FIBA Hall of Fame. Over the next three weeks (weekdays from 28 May to 12 June), we will profile all 12 of the inductees. Today we look at Italian contributor Aldo Vitale.

It takes hard work, determination, perseverance and creativity in abundance to help a sport grow and find success.

Thanks to contributors like Aldo Vitale, who worked tirelessly in Italy and with FIBA, basketball has not only remained strong but flourished for the past half-century.

Vitale is being honored for his long-time commitment and service to the sport with entry to the FIBA Hall of Fame.

Born on 16 July, 1931, in Fiume, Vitale has held many basketball-related posts in his career and was deeply involved in the success of European competitions.

He worked tirelessly as a member of the FIBA European Cup Commission from 1966 to 1984.

Vitale made sure that growth occurred not only in the men's game, but also the women’s.

From 1979 to 1984, he was president of the Italy Lega A Women.

In 1984, he also served as president of the Bata Roma’s women club.

From 1984 until 1990, Vitale worked as a FIBA Women’s Basketball Commission member.

For 13 years, starting in 1979, Vitale was an Italian Basketball Federation (FIP) Federal Counselor (1979-1992) and he also held the titles of President of the Italian Minibasket Committee (1990-1992), FIBA Europe President (1990-1996) and FIBA Vice President (1994-1996).

In 1993, Vitale was the Founder of the FIBA Research and Study Centre (renamed as the FIBA Equipment and Venue Centre earlier this year) and was a director until 2011.

The centre was founded to help equip and increase the number of sports facilities throughout the world, encourage the construction of basic facilities and the refurbishment of older ones, co-ordinate research initiatives and offer consulting services for materials, equipment design and construction.

Vitale was also Director of FIBA Basketball Promotion (1996-2002).

After working as Director of FIBA Research and Study Centre, Marketing, TV and Events (1998-2005), Vitale was the FIBA Secretary General Special Counselor (2006-2011).

During that time, in 2008, he was inducted into the Italian Basketball Hall of Fame.

He goes into the FIBA Hall of Fame under the category of contributor.

FIBA