RAY Borner is an Australian basketball legend.
He's a national sporting icon.
Four Olympic Games. Four world championships.
More than 250 appearances in Australian colours.
The first Australian player to win the National Basketball League most valuable player award.
And so his achievements go on.
Ray Borner is one of Ballarat's most famous sporting exports.
So when the opportunity arose to secure Borner as Ballarat Miners coach heading into the 2001 South East Australian Basketball League season, not surprisingly Ballarat Basketball Club jumped at it.
A favourite son was returning to where it all began.
Ballarat Basketball Club president Dennis Foley was excited, as was his committee and the Ballarat basketball community.
Mr Foley had often stated, and reinforced it with the appointment, that Borner had been a factor in the formation of the Miners in the mid-1980s.
Not that many years earlier, Borner had out-grown what Ballarat basketball had to offer.
To go on he had to move on.
The Miners were created to provide a stepping stone for elite young talent in Ballarat.
It seemed only right that after 20 years away, Borner was returning to put something back into the sport in his hometown.
Borner's arrival created enormous interest across the city's sporting community and right through the SEABL.
He was fresh out of the NBL and as well as being a mentor, still had a few more years left in him as a player as well.
Everything fell into place.
The Miners immediately rose to the top of the three in the SEABL south conference, winning the title in 2001.
Unfortunately, the year did not finish as hoped though.
The Australian Basketball Association stunned many by cancelling the national finals.
Ballarat had been a warm favourite to capture the national championship, but was never given the opportunity of fulfilling this billing.
The Miners appeared to be weighed down by this disappointment last year, but still managed to reach the south conference preliminary before falling to Mildura in a nail-biter.
Then there was the mixed emotions of this year.
Ballarat did exceptionally well to reach the south conference and national grand finals, but on each occasion lowered its colours to an all-conquering Mt Gambier.
The losses were bitter pills to swallow.
Getting so far at each level was a great achievement, but there was still the disappointment of not being able to get over the last hurdle.
Nothing can be done about that now, though, and all seemed in place for Borner to complete his second two-year contract by leading the Miners into the 2004 SEABL season.
That was until the bombshell on Monday that Borner had resigned.
While Ballarat Basketball Club only went public with the news this week, I believe the parties parted ways a couple of weeks ago.
If this is the case, why did it take so long for an announcement to be made?
Mr Foley, in a prepared statement, said that following the end-of-season reviews it was agreed that the time requirements of the Miners coaching position had inevitably led to Borner tendering his resignation.
Ballarat Basketball Club has made no further comment.
Borner is yet to make any comment at all.
Why?
After all, the SEABL is the second highest level of basketball in Australia and the standard of play is rising all the time.
However, it is a pity that a greater explanation has not yet been given about the circumstances of Borner's departure which has occurred all so suddenly.
What happened in the meantime to cause such a major turnaround?
Will we hear more on the Borner resignation?
Most than likely, yes.
Borner has indicated he will speak publicly when he is ready.
We wait with interest to that this chapter in Ballarat sporting history can be given closure.