NAMPA, Idaho – John Cramer has probably watched more Northwest Nazarene men's basketball games than anyone else alive.

The longtime Treasure Valley educator played for NNC from 1946-50 and then has had season tickets for as long as he can remember.

The 91-year-old is still a regular attender, often heard more than seen at games.

"I claim the only time I yell at the refs is when they make a mistake," he said laughing.

Cramer's long connection to the school, including being among the first class inducted into the NNU Athletic Hall of Fame and started a scholarship for the men's basketball program, is being honored at the 38th Annual "The Legends" Golf Classic presented by Rathbone Warwick Investment Management on Friday, June, 8 at Ridgecrest Golf Club.

"I would say however you define legend, he would embody that as well as anyone that has gone through the halls of NNC/U," said Myron Finkbeiner, a 1955 graduate of NNC. "He embodies that terminology as well or better than anyone."

Cramer basically grew up on campus. His family had a plot of land about a half mile from campus. He learned how to play basketball there, went to the grammar school on campus and then the high school.

After four years in the Navy serving in the Pacific theater during World War II, Cramer returned to Nampa to play basketball.

"He never got that far from campus that he didn't return," Finkbeiner said. "He has probably witnessed more basketball games than anyone in the history of the college. You will always find him two or three rows up supporting the Nighthawks, though I can't say much about him supporting the refs."

Cramer has always had a love of basketball. He grew up playing on a court behind Elmore W. Vail's house (the NNU baseball field is named after Vail) and played for famed early coach LaMont Lee.

Despite only being 6-foot-1, Cramer was a dominant rebounder and a strong scorer. He led the team in scoring all four years he played, held the career scoring record until 1956 and was honored as a member of the 50-year anniversary all-star team.

"John is one of our most loyal fans, who I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know over the past few years," NNU athletic director Kelli Lindley said. "He faithfully attends our athletics events and supports our teams with both his encouraging words and giving of his resources. We are blessed to have John in the NNU Athletics family."

As a long-time coach his teams were always fundamentally sound and great at rebounding. He taught rebounding clinics at NNU over the years and even brought one of his Middleton High School teams over to soundly defeat his alma mater's freshman team one year.

"He was so well-known coaching that he had offers to go to bigger schools to coach," Finkbeiner said, "but his main interest was coaching at the high school level and being an administrator."

Cramer started his post-collegiate career at Middleton, then went to Caldwell High as the varsity basketball coach and teacher, then went to Parma High as a principal, then to Ontario, Ore. as a vice principal and athletic director, then came back to Nampa as a vice principal at West Junior High and then South Junior High.

Throughout it all, he never lost touch with Northwest Nazarene.

"One thing about NNC it seems you made really strong friendships and they've maintained that over the years," Cramer said. "I've developed many fine friends through my association here at NNU."

While Cramer doesn't play much basketball these days, he is still an avid golfer playing multiple times a week.

His competitive nature shines through, but he also has a kind word for his friends during the games.

"He relishes in your wins and good efforts," said longtime friend Darrel Reisch, a 1956 graduate of NNC. "He is an unbelievable competitor, but doesn't like conflict. He is just a very pleasant, steady, good friend."

Though a few GNAC referees might not share that sentiment.