Today we mark the celebration of life for original Abingdon Eagles Coach and Co - Founder Bill Baker who has 'flown on' and departed the hardwood court.

Coach Bill Baker's passion for basketball traces back to his early school days when, at the time, the sport must have felt a world away. In an era when information was primarily found in magazines that he avidly sought out, his passion, curiosity, and fascination for the sport remained strong. This enthusiasm evolved into a lasting admiration for the game and brought personal fulfilment through its various aspects.

Coach Bill Baker, in his fifty years of playing and coaching basketball locally and internationally, has achieved numerous remarkable successes.

Among his most cherished accomplishments are not just those that collect dust, displayed in cabinets or hung on walls, but the lasting impact he has had on basketball players and coaches of all ages across our community, forging enduring friendships and adventures that span many years.

In 2005, Coach Bill, pictured alongside Coach John Caudle, co-founded the Abingdon Eagles Basketball Club. Over the next decade, they coached teams across all competitive levels from U14 to U18.

The team photo above also features Jacob Caudle (John's son), Mike Bird, and Dan Ormrod (Bill's grandson), who have all been close friends since the beginning. Jacob and Dan now lead the 'Oxford Devils' men's team together, upholding Coaches Bill Baker & John Caudle's memory and legacy.

Bill was a regular on the sidelines for their games throughout the season, proudly spectating/coaching and possibly in his own way, out there on the court with them all and will continue to be I'm sure.

Since 2022 Oxford Devil's have held the men's Bill Baker Invitational tournament and again this year hold it on 7th September at Oxford Brookes Sports Centre, Cheney Lane.

Recently, Bill was decorated with a lifetime achievement award at the 2022 men's Oxfordshire Basketball League Finals, where he humbly accepted the surprise accolade. Bill expressed his love for coaching, emphasising that his dedication to basketball stemmed from a genuine passion for the sport rather than seeking recognition. During recent junior seasons, Coach Bill would regularly be found on the spectator sideline of an Eagles junior game, with a cup of tea in one hand, a beaming smile, a witty joke at the forefront of most conversations and a strong, proud stature seeing the sport and club he helped create continue to give young players opportunities and wonderful experiences alongside friends and families.

In the early years of Abingdon Eagles reforming, we have been the benefactor of generous donations made to the club, thanks to Coaches Bill and John's generosity. This support was a huge part of the building blocks in the club as you now know it and without it, Eagles could not have reached its current size and strength.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Bill's wife, Kate, their children and their families as well as the Oxford Devils Basketball Club.

At Abingdon Eagles, Coach Baker and Coach Caudle's legacy lives on, with a commitment to family, friendships and the pure joy of basketball remaining at the core of the club's ethos. Our annual 'Baker Caudle Award' celebrates current individuals within the club who embody these values.

In heartfelt tribute, we bid farewell to Bill from the everyone at Abingdon Eagles, honouring his spirit and dedication to our sport, club and community #FLYHIGH