About Us - Affiliate Organizations

American College of Foot and Ankle Orthopedics and Medicine
www.acfaom.org

American Society of Podiatric Surgeons
http://www.aspsmembers.org/

American College of Foot and Ankle Pediatrics
www.acfap.org

American Society of Podiatric Dermatology
www.dermfoot.com

Association of Extremity Nerve Surgeons
www.aens.us

American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management
www.aappm.org

American Podiatric Medical Association
www.apma.org

American Association for Women Podiatrists
www.americanwomenpodiatrists.com

American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine
www.aacpm.org

American Association of Hospital and Healthcare Podiatrists
www.hospitalpodiatrists.org

American Podiatric Medical Students' Association
www.apmsa.org

American Society of Podiatric Executives
http://www.aspeonline.org/

American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants
http://www.aspma.org/

Medical Fitness Association
www.medicalfitness.org

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Cleared for Landing: Assist Dropping Dimes in Helping Former ABA Players

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Another ABA player dies waiting on pension from NBA. He left a chilling photo behind - Click here to read more!

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Prior to Steph Curry, there was “Super John” Williamson. Before anyone knew of Kevin Durant, there was Roger Brown. Before LeBron James dominated the NBA, Julius (“Dr. J”) Erving was “the man”. These players and the likes of Spencer Haywood, George “the Ice-man” Gervin, George “Big Mac” McGinnis, Dan Issel, Billy “the Whopper” Paultz, “Wondrous” Willie Wise, Zelmo “Big Z” Beaty, Billy Knight, Darnell “Dr. Dunk” Hillman, Will Jones, Artis “the A-train” Gilmore, David “the Skywalker” Thompson, Bob Netolicky, Billy Keller, Rick Barry, the Kentucky Colonels, the Virginia Squires, the San Diego Conquistadors, the Dallas Chaparrals, “Dancin’ Harry”, etc. were household names in the American Basketball Association (ABA). Created in 1967 to compete against the established National Basketball Association, the American Basketball Association featured a more wide-open style with a red, white and blue ball, the 3 point shot, a slam dunk contest at the all-star game, and a 30 second shot clock. Franchises were located in markets like Indianapolis, Louisville, Norfolk, VA, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, Denver, etc. Slowly but surely, the level of play in the ABA rivaled that of the NBA, and many top college players were drawn to the new league. Unfortunately, by the mid 1970s, finances became an issue and a few teams were disbanded. Four teams (New York Nets, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers and the San Antonio Spurs) eventually merged with the established NBA, and the ABA was no longer. After the merger, the other NBA teams acquired some of the former ABA players who were not members of the 4 franchises involved in the merger. But, many of the former ABA players no longer had jobs, and the defunct ABA offered a less than ideal pension and no long-term medical care for the former ABA players. In addition, former ABA players who did not play long enough in the NBA to be included in their pension program were also dealt financial misfortune.

Seeing a need to help these former professional basketball players, Scott Tarter, and Dr. John Abrams founded Dropping Dimes Foundation (DDF) in October of 2014, and film producer Ted Green joined the team afterwards. This not-for profit foundation (Indiana 501 C -3) has been able to locate approximately 350 former ABA players (see www.droppingdimes.org). A majority of these players are now between 64 and 80 years old, and many are experiencing financial and medical hardships. The organization is dedicated to their well-being, and the health and happiness of their families. Since its inception, the Dropping Dimes Foundation has been involved in a number of activities focused on `improving the quality of life for these former ABA players. The development of a prescription help center provides cost savings for medications. Former Indiana Pacer, Charles Jordan, was able secure a suit for a church event with the help of DDF. Ron Thomas, a former Kentucky Colonel, was the beneficiary of a DDF road trip to his nursing facility that included a brand new wardrobe. A former Miami Floridian was in medical need of oral surgery due to recurrent abscesses. DDF, Dr. Steve Green (former Indiana Pacer), and 2 Indianapolis oral surgeons were able to provide the necessary care. A former New Orleans Buccaneer (and his wife) had suffered strokes and their Arkansas home was vandalized and not livable after an extended stay in a nursing home. Dropping Dimes was able to temporarily relocate the couple into a hotel while addressing the issues at their home.

Knowing that these men have logged countless hours on the hardwood, had multiple lower extremity injuries, and are now battling father time, there exists a great opportunity for our organization, the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine to make a difference.  That is, I am looking for a few good men (and women) from the Academy to be involved in a network of AAPSM Members and Fellows that is available to the Dropping Dimes Foundation and the former ABA players. When such a player requests podiatric care, he would be provided this list of AAPSM podiatrists in his area, and I would be involved in matching the player with a podiatrist. Of the 350 living ABA players, between 100 and 150 players may lack adequate healthcare and the necessary resources. In the scenario where the player may not have insurance, the AAPSM will work with Dropping Dimes Foundation in making sure that all services and procedures are not provided “en gratis”.    

In the 1970s, your author and Dr. John Abrams were ball boys for our beloved Indiana Pacers. Working under the direction of long-time Pacers athletic trainer, David Craig, ATC, we had many duties. We cleaned uniforms, washed towels, rebounded balls, ran errands, swept the floor, etc. All in all, it was our responsibility to make sure that players like “Dr. Dunk,  “the Iceman”, “Dr. J”, “The A-train”, “the Skywalker”, etc.  were able to compete at their highest level, and were “cleared for landing”. Now, nearly fifty years later, we want to be sure that their “landing gear” is void of defects and they are able to live “free of turbulence”.

Note: Please contact AAPSM Executive Director, Rita Yates,  (ritayates2@aol.com) and/or Dr. Alex Kor (akisok15@hotmail.com) to be involved in this new initiative between the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine and the Dropping Dimes Foundation.