Suffield Resident Is Named New England Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee

Suffield resident Jason Qua has been selected for induction into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame for his athletic accomplishments while attending Clark University in Worcester.

Qua, who starred for the Cougars from 1986-90, will join a host of other basketball luminaries from the region at the DCU Center in downtown Worcester on Saturday, Aug. 8 for induction.

“I am extremely honored to have been selected as a player to be inducted,” said Qua, who was enshrined in the Clark University Hall of Fame in 2002. “I am very thankful to my family, coaches, and fellow teammates who made this honor possible. My experience at Clark University was one of the best learning opportunities of my life.”

A two-time All-American, Qua was an integral cog in the Scarlet and White making three postseason appearances, including a berth in the NCAA championship game in 1987.

His final two seasons were off-the-charts exceptional, beginning in the 1988-89 season when he averaged monster numbers of 23.3 points per game, while hauling in 10.7 boards and shooting 55 percent from the field.

Then as a senior in the 1989-90 campaign, he was again brilliant, turning in nightly totals of 22.6 points and 9.2 rebounds on 57 percent shooting from the field.

Overall, the two-time captain and ECAC All-New England First-Team selection, Qua played in 109 career games and even today, his name is splashed all over the Clark record books. He ranks second in rebounds (891), third in points (1,772), field goals made (672) and free throws made (384).

The recipient of the Fred Hebert Trophy, which is awarded to the senior male athlete who has made a significant contribution to Clark’s intercollegiate athletic program, Qua also excelled academically, majoring in international development. He was honored with the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division III Scholar Athlete of the Year award and the New England Basketball Coaches Association (NEBCA) Division II-III Academic Award in 1990.

Following graduation, Qua played professionally in Japan for a year before returning to the States and earning his master’s degree in teaching with a concentration in history from Bridgewater State in 1995.

Qua, has been an educator for more than 20 years and is the social studies department head for the Windsor Locks school district and teaches social studies at Windsor Locks High, in Windsor Locks. He is also the head football coach of the Windsor Locks/Suffield/East Granby varsity football co-op.

He and his wife, Rebecca Klein, an art teacher and visual arts department co-chair at the Renbrook School, reside in Suffield, with their three children, Gabe, Georgia, 9, and Hazel, 6.

Photo: Jason Qua. Credit: Patch file photo. Credit: Clark University Athletics.