Monday, July 6, 2015

1937-38 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (NBL)

1937-38 AKRON GOODYEAR WINGFOOTS
NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Eastern Division
Finished: 13-5 .722, 2nd place

Eastern Division Championship - Defeated Akron Wingfoots, 2-0 
NBL Champions - Defeated Oshkosh, 2-1


The Akron Goodyear Wingfoots were formed in 1918 by employees at Goodyear. As a corporate/recreational team, they also served to promote their shoe, the Wingfoot, one of the first rubber-soled shoes. Along with Akron Firestone and other AAU teams, they joined to form the NBL in 1937. They went 13-5 and finished in second place in the East Division, one game behind Akron Goodyear. They went on to defeat Firestone in the playoffs, and then defeated Oshkosh to win the first NBL title.


  • Head Coach: Clifton A. "Lefty" Byers (August 6, 1905 – May 25, 2000)
Byers played basketball at Kansas State and would play basketball for various semi-pro, AAU and independent teams.

PLAYERS: 
  • Wes Bennett (March 31, 1913 - August 20, 2002)
Biography

  • Charles Bloedorn (May 28, 1912 - May 20, 1998)
Biography

  • Robert Cope (September 3, 1911 - June 16, 1995)
Biography

  • Wilson Fitts (June 16, 1915 - February 23, 2005)
Biography

  • Leroy Lins (June 21, 1913 - August 12, 1986)
Biography

  • John McAdams (April 15, 1912 - October 18, 1975)
Biography

  • Dean Mealy (May 7, 1915 - April 28, 1973)
Biography

  • Raymond Morstadt (March 10, 1913 - July 5, 1965)
Biography

  • Russell Ochsenhirt (April 16, 1912 - October 4, 2002)
Biography

  • Malcolm Rush (April 2, 1909 - January 1, 1989)
Biography

  • Charley Shipp (December 3, 1913 - March 21, 1988)
Biography

  • Chelso Tamagno (March 20, 1912 - April 15, 1986)
Biography

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