Robert “Stretch” Gillam smiles while umpiring a softball game between Thetford Academy and Rivendell Academy on May 21, 2011, in Orford. Gillam, known primarily in Upper Valley high school basketball circles, died on Monday at age 82. (Valley News - Tris Wykes) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.
Robert “Stretch” Gillam smiles while umpiring a softball game between Thetford Academy and Rivendell Academy on May 21, 2011, in Orford. Gillam, known primarily in Upper Valley high school basketball circles, died on Monday at age 82. (Valley News - Tris Wykes) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.

White River Junction — Hartford High School will recognize the life and career of late boys basketball coach Robert “Stretch” Gillam during tonight’s game with Windsor at Hartford High.

Admission to the game will be by donation, with all proceeds going toward a Vermont Basketball Coaches’ Association scholarship fund that has been set up in Gillam’s name. VBCA executive director and legendary Mount Anthony coach Dave Fredrickson will be on hand to speak about Gillam’s legacy before the game, which tips off at 7 p.m.

Hartford coach Steve Landon has secured throwback warmups from the Gillam era to be worn before the game. The team also has added commemorative patches honoring Gillam to its uniforms.

Gillam coached five Twin State high schools — including Kimball Union Academy, Hartford, Oxbow and South Royalton — during a career that covered parts of seven decades. He died in July at the age of 82.