ONTARIO - Tributes are pouring in for the late Allen Rae whose legacy in Canadian basketball and beyond will remain for many years to come after his recent passing.

Affectionately referred to as 'Al' by those who knew him, Rae was inducted into the Canada Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000 and then also enshrined into the FIBA Hall of Fame in September 2007, with both accolades coming as a result of his outstanding achievements as a technical official.

He served as Executive Director at Canada Basketball in the 1980s and was well known as an international basketball official and commissioner. He officiated at an array of prestigious international competitions such as the Pan-Am Games, World University Games as well as an impressive four editions of the Olympics. His reputation was such that he was also chosen to make the trip to Belgrade in 1975 to officiate the European Championship Final.

Rae received the FIBA Order of Merit in 1997 having held several high-profile roles including President of the Technical Commission of FIBA Americas (1983-1993), as well as Vice-President of the FIBA Technical Commission (1984-1994).

In 2001, he founded Sports Officials Canada as an advocate for the Canadian officiating community and a year later, was the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Coaching Association of Canada. He also scooped a Lifetime Achievement Award at the City of Ottawa Sports Awards in 2006.

"His tireless efforts over the years on projects such as the Naismith Foundation, officiating casebooks and Sports Officials Canada, have firmly entrenched Al into the legacy of Canadian basketball and sporting community," said Canada Basketball President and CEO, Michele O'Keefe. "He will be missed."

FIBA