They played just one season together at the Hawks, but NBL greats Gordon McLeod and Chuck Harmison will be forever linked when the club retires their playing singlets tonight at WIN Entertainment Centre.
An outstanding Illawarra junior, McLeod was the Hawks' first bona fide star in the club's formative years, representing Australia at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
He played four years with Wollongong - when they were known as Illawarra - from 1979-82 and returned for a further five years after spending the 1983 season with the Sydney Supersonics.
His career spanned 259 games and he led the league in assists in 1984, '85 and '87.
"It's an unbelievable honour for a kid from Woonona, especially when you think about the tremendous history of the Hawks, and I'm talking pre-NBL as well," McLeod said.
"To have this done is a very special thing for anyone, and the big thing for me when I see that singlet go up is the journey and the many people who've had such a huge influence on my life.
"It's my name on the singlet, but geez, it's not about me.
"There's a hell of a support staff, and all those people are reflected in it.
"That singlet is only up there because of those people and I'll be thinking of every one of them when it goes up.
"I was always taught to remember where you've come from, because that's your foundation, that's your base, and I'm fiercely proud of my roots and where I've come from."
Harmison and McLeod became team-mates when the former joined the Hawks in 1988 after previous stints at Nunawading, Coburg and West Sydney.
These days Harmison is better known as the boss of the NBL, but he chalked up 386 games as a player before hanging up his boots in 1996.
His No 4 jersey will be raised to the roof next to McLeod's No 5 strip at half-time of tonight's clash with the South Dragons and permanently hung from the rafters.
"I'm very humbled and honoured to have my singlet hanging up there alongside Gordie's," Harmison said.
"Gordie was always the epitome of what it meant to be a Hawk, the sort of player who always gave his last ounce of effort, selflessly for the team.
"I remember the early days playing against Gordie and how tough a competitor he was.
"We struck up a good relationship early on as opponents, then briefly as team-mates.
"As a player, there is no higher club honour than having your singlet retired. It's probably bigger in the (United) States than here, but for my contribution as a player with the Hawks to be remembered in such a visible way means an awful lot to me.
"The fact that the Hawks have history in the NBL dating back to day one makes it even more special.
"It will be hard not to get emotional on the night.
"I have never been able to keep my emotions in check on occasions like these and I don't suppose Wednesday night will be any different.
"Occasions like these always bring back so many good memories of the years I spent playing the game I love, and remembering all the team-mates and friends I've made along the journey."
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