Monday, August 31, 2015

Jack Ozburn

John Andrew Ozburn


Born:
January 4, 1913
Murphysboro, IL

Died:
February 14, 1969
Akron, OH

Career
1930-31 Monmouth University (College)
1931-32 Monmouth University (College)
1932-33 Monmouth University (College)
1934-35 Tullos Hunt Oilers - Louisiana (AAU)
1935-36 Denver Safeways (AAU)
1936-37 Kansas City Santa Fe Trails (AAU)
1937-38 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)
1938-39 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)
1939-40 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)
1940-41 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)
1941-42 Toledo Jim White Chevrolets (NBL)
1941-42 East Liverpool Fleetwings - Ohio (Independent)
1941-42 Rochester Seagrams (Independent)
1943-44 Akron Collegians (Independent)  


Lettered in basketball and track at Monmouth. Ozburn served in the military during World War 2.

He was married to Mayme.

Source:
Akron Beacon Journal, February 15, 1969
Akron Beacon Journal, February 28, 1969


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/o/ozburja01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=ozburja01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/jack-ozburn/

Jim O'Donnell

James O'Donnell


Born:
December 3, 1912
New York

Died:
December 26, 1984
Buffalo, NY 

Career
1934-35 Canisius University (College)
1935-36 Canisius University (College)
1936-37 Canisius University (College)
1937-38 Buffalo Bisons (NBL)
1938-39 Tunkhannock (NYPA)


Brother of Neil O'Donnell. Born to James and Norah O'Donnell. Served in the military during World War 2.


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/o/odonnja01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=odonnji01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/jim-odonnell/

Neil O'Donnell

Cornelius Patrick "Neil" O'Donnell


Born:
April 17, 1914
Buffalo, NY

Died:
December 27, 1996
Cheektowaga, NY 

Career
1934-35 Canisius University (College)
1935-36 Canisius University (College)
1936-37 Canisius University (College)
1937-38 Buffalo Bisons (NBL)
1937-38 Tunkhannock (NY-PA)
1938-39 Tunkhannock (NY-PA)


Brother of Bisons/Canisius teammate James O'Donnell.

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/o/odonnco01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=odonnne01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/neil-odonnell/

Russ Ochsenhirt

Russell William Ochsenhirt


Born:
April 16, 1912
Sharpsburg, PA

Died:
October 4, 2002
Akron, OH 

Career
Perry High School - Pittsburgh, PA (High School)
1931-32 Pittsburgh University (College)
1932-33 Pittsburgh University (College)
1933-34 Pittsburgh University (College)
1934-35 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (AAU)
1935-36 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (Independent)
1936-37 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (MBC)
1937-38 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (NBL)
1938-39 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (NBL)



Ochsenhirt was a basketball star in college at Pittsburgh, where he obtained a degree in Electrical Engineering. He was the captain of the Wingfoots in the inaugural season, leading the team to the first NBL title. After his basketball days, he was vice president of Botzum Brothers, president of Ohio Sand & Gravel Products, and president of Ohio Ready Mix Association. He was married to Rose Botzum (1916-1996) and had seven children (daughters Terry, Bonnie, Mary and Jean, sons Mike, David and Tim).

Obituary:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ohio/obituary.aspx?pid=523416


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/o/ochseru01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=ochseru01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/russ-ochsenhirt/

Ed Mullen


Joseph Edward "Ed" Mullen


Born:
March 9, 1913
Fond du Lac, WI

Died:
January 10, 1988
San Francisco, CA  

Career
1931-32 Marquette University (College) 
1932-33 Marquette University (College) 
1933-34 Marquette University (College) 
1934-35 Milwaukee Goodyears (Independent)
1935-36 Oshkosh All-Stars (Independent)
1936-37 Oshkosh All-Stars (Independent)
1937-38 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1938-39 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1939-40 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1946-47 Milwaukee Shooting Stars (Independent) Head Coach


I only had a name: Ed Mullen. Nothing else to go on. No college, no birthdate, no hometown, nothing. So I just did a search of "Ed Mullen basketball Oshkosh" and was able to come up with old newspaper articles about a basketball player named Ed Mullen who played for Marquette and was from Fond du Lac. From there, I found his obituary, which included family information, date of death and age. From there, a search of the Social Security Death index yielded no Ed Mullen dying in 1988. However, a search of just "Mullen" with a specific date of death yielded a Joseph Mullen who died on January 10, 1988. So I started searching out Joseph Mullen and found that Ed Mullen the basketball player was actually named Joseph Edward Mullen. His widows obituary listed her husband as "J. Edward Mullen" from Oshkosh. The pieces all fit. Was able to find a birthdate, and the mystery of Ed Mullen, Oshkosh All-Stars, is solved.
Birth name: Joseph Edward Mullen
From Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Played guard at Marquette from 1932-34, and was named All-American in 1934.
Later became an attorney and lived in Washington, DC. In 1969, he moved to San Francisco to work for the VA.
He died of an aneurysm in San Francisco in January of 1988.
He had a wife, Goldye Brossell (1913-2009), two children and two step-daughters, Judith Fein and Temmy Mahoney.

Obit in Milwaukee Journal jives with geni.com info
http://www.geni.com/people/Joseph-Mullen/6000000003308587752

Source:
Milwaukee Journal, Jan 12 1988)


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/mulleed01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mulleed01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/ed-mullen/

Ray Morstadt

Raymond Charles Morstadt


Born:
March 10, 1913
Waukegan, IL

Died:
July 5, 1965
Waukegan, IL

Career
1933-34 Marquette University (College)
1934-35 Marquette University (College)
1935-36 Marquette University (College)
1935-36 Akron Goodyear (AAU)
1936-37 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (MBC)
1937-38 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (NBL)
1938-39 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (NBL)
1939-40 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (NBL)


Raymond C. Morstadt, born in Waukegan, Illinois, to William and Carrie (Rehm). He moved to Akron after college to play basketball, where he met and married Gladys Perry (1916-1992). They had three children; William, Lynda Collins (1946-2008) and Gail Driscoll.
Later in life, operated a boathouse in Waukegan, Illinois. He died at Victory Memorial Hospital in Waukegan on July 5, 1965, of an infected gallbladder.

Sources:
Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, July 8, 1965
Gladys' obituary
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1992-09-03/news/9203200374_1_zion-north-chicago-waukegan
His daughter Lynda's obituary
http://obits.reviewjournal.com/obituaries/lvrj/obituary.aspx?n=Lynda-Collins&pid=142269830


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/morstra01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=morstra01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/ray-morstadt/

Emmett Morrison

Emmett Woodrow Morrison


Born:
August 24, 1915
Rossiter, PA

Died:
February 2, 1993
Georgetown, CA  

Career
1934-35 Brookville High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1935-36 Pittsburgh University (College)
1936-37 Pittsburgh University (College)
1937-38 Marconi Club - Warren, PA (Independent)
1937-38 Warren Penns (NBL)


Playing college basketball at Pitt, Morrison also held jobs washing dishes, parking cars, and carrying coal in the mines. He quit Pitt after his junior year to play professionally for Warren, making $15 a game as well as working at a plant. He also played semi-pro baseball in Warren.

He married Ruth Eckardt in 1938. 


Source: "Cages to Jump Shots: Pro Basketball's Early Years" By Robert Peterson

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/morriem01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=morriem01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/emmett-morrison/

Dudey Moore

Donald Wilson "Dudey" Moore


Born:
April 5, 1910
Pittsburgh, PA

Died:
April 8, 1984
Bristol, PA  

Career
1930-31 Duquesne University (College)
1931-32 Duquesne University (College)
1932-33 Duquesne University (College)
1933-34 Duquesne University (College) 
1934-35 Pittsburgh YMHA (Pittsburgh Municipal)
1935-36 Pittsburgh YMHA (MBC)
1936-37 Pittsburgh YMHA (MBC)
1937-38 Pittsburgh Pirates (NBL) - Player / Head coach
1938-39 Pittsburgh Pirates (NBL) - Player / Head coach
Sharon High School - Pennsylvania (High School) - Head Coach
1948-49 Duquesne University (College) - Head Coach
1949-50 Duquesne University (College) - Head Coach
1950-51 Duquesne University (College) - Head Coach
1951-52 Duquesne University (College) - Head Coach
1952-53 Duquesne University (College) - Head Coach
1953-54 Duquesne University (College) - Head Coach
1954-55 Duquesne University (College) - Head Coach
1955-56 Duquesne University (College) - Head Coach
1956-57 Duquesne University (College) - Head Coach
1957-58 Duquesne University (College) - Head Coach
1958-59 La Salle University (College) - Head Coach
1959-60 La Salle University (College) - Head Coach
1960-61 La Salle University (College) - Head Coach
1961-62 La Salle University (College) - Head Coach
1962-63 La Salle University (College) - Head Coach

Born in Pittsburgh, Moore went to Duquesne ('34) and afterwards played semi-pro and pro basketball before landing on Pittsburgh in the NBL. After his playing days,he took a job coaching at Sharon High School, and then went on to coach for over 10 seasons for Duquesne, leading them to the NIT title in 1955. After the 1958 season, he moved over to coach La Salle. In 1963, following a first-round loss to St Louis in the NIT, the student body burned Moore in effigy and he immediately resigned. We went on to teach high school mathematics. He married Bernice (1911-1992), and had a son, Donald, and a daughter, Carol.

Obit:
http://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/11/obituaries/dudey-moore-is-dead-at-74-coached-1955-nit-winner.html



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/millewa01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=millewa01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/dudey-moore/

Bud Moodler

Marion Eugene "Bud" Moodler


Born:
September 21, 1912
Montgomery, OH

Died:
August 7, 1977
Craig, CO

Career
Fairview High School - Dayton, Ohio (High School)
Defiance College (College) 
1936-37 Dayton London Bobbies (MBC)
1936-37 Columbus Athletic Supplies (MBC)
1937-38 Dayton Metropolitans (NBL)
1938-39 Richmer Oils (Independent)
1938-39 Dayton Hall's Laundry (Independent)
1939-40 Detroit Eagles (NBL)
1939-40 Waterloo Wonders (Independent)
1940-41 Waterloo Wonders (Independent)
1940-41 Dayton Wonders (Independent)
1940-41 Dayton Suchers (Independent)

Born Marion Eugene Moodler in Montgomery, Ohio to Vernon (1885-1973) and Bertha  (1887-1967). He went Fairview High School in Dayton, Ohio, and went to Defiance College.  Moodler married Leona Eby (1911-2001) on March 22, 1935. He served in the Army during World War 2 and died in Craig, Colorado, in 1977.





Source:
http://www.bernethy-eby-scribner.com/getperson.php?personID=I272008476739&tree=Eby

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/moodlbu01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=moodlbu01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/bud-moodler/

Walt Miller

Walter Philip Miller


Born:
July 20, 1915  
Homestead, PA

Died:
January 21, 2001
Lincoln Place, PA  

Career
1930-31 Homestead High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1931-32 Homestead High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1932-33 Homestead High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1934-35 Duquesne University (College)
1935-36 Duquesne University (College)
1936-37 Duquesne University (College) 
1937-38 Pittsburgh Pirates (NBL)
1938-39 Pittsburgh Pirates (NBL)
1938-39 Homestead High School - Pennsylvania (High School) - Assistant coach
1939-40 Pittsburgh Pirates (Independent)
1939-40 Homestead High School - Pennsylvania (High School) - Assistant coach
1940-41 Pittsburgh Pirates (Independent)
1940-41 Homestead High School - Pennsylvania (High School) - Head coach
1941-42 Hagerstown Conoco Oilers (Independent)
1941-42 Leheny (Pittsburgh Municipal)
1941-42 Homestead High School - Pennsylvania (High School) - Head coach
1942-43 Corbett (Pittsburgh Municipal)
1942-43 Homestead High School - Pennsylvania (High School) - Head coach
Norman, Oklahoma  (Military)
1945-46 Youngstown Bears (NBL)
1946-47 Pittsburgh Ironmen (BAA)
1946-47 Homestead High School - Pennsylvania (High School) - Head coach
1947-48 Altoona Edwards / Pitts / Railroaders (AABL)
1947-48 Homestead High School - Pennsylvania (High School) - Head coach
1948-49 Altoona Flyers (AABL) - Player / head coach
1948-49 Homestead High School - Pennsylvania (High School) - Assistant coach
1949-50 Altoona Flyers (AABL)
1949-50 Homestead High School - Pennsylvania (High School) - Assistant coach
1950-51 Altoona Flyers (AABL)
1951-52 Homestead High School - Pennsylvania (High School) - Assistant coach
1952-53 Homestead High School - Pennsylvania (High School) - Assistant coach
1953-54 Wilkinsburg High School - Pennsylvania (High school) - Head coach
1954-55 Wilkinsburg High School - Pennsylvania (High school) - Head coach
1955-56 Wilkinsburg High School - Pennsylvania (High school) - Head coach
1956-57 Wilkinsburg High School - Pennsylvania (High school) - Head coach
1957-58 Wilkinsburg High School - Pennsylvania (High school) - Head coach
1958-59 Wilkinsburg High School - Pennsylvania (High school) - Head coach
1959-60 Wilkinsburg High School - Pennsylvania (High school) - Head coach
1960-61 Wilkinsburg High School - Pennsylvania (High school) - Head coach

From Homestead, Pennsylvania, Miller played both football and basketball at Duquesne. After graduating, he became a teacher and coach at his alma mater, Homestead High School. In June of 1942, Miller was released from Homestead as the enrollment of the district dropped, so he enlisted in the service. He served in the US Navy during World War 2, before returning to the pro basketball court, all while continuing to be an educator. He moved to Wilkinsburg High School (PA) in 1953, and was eventually promoted to Athletic Director. He retired in 1975, and died following a stroke in 2001. He married schoolteacher Alice Bullion Miller in 1941 (1915-2006) and the couple had a son, Walter Miller Jr, and a daughter, Eileen Olar.

Source:
Pittsburgh Press, February 11, 1942
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 19, 1942
Altoona Tribune, December 7, 1948
Altoona Tribune, November 26, 1949
Daily Republican (Monongahela, PA), May 21, 1953
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 24, 2001

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/millewa01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=millewa01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/walt-miller/

Miller

Miller


Born:
 


Died:

  

Career
1937-38 Columbus Athletic Supply (NBL)


All we know is a last name, and played one game for Columbus at forward.



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/mille01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mille01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/miller-4/

LaVerne Meyer

LaVerne Lester "Little Moose" "Sonny" Meyer


Born:
June 17, 1917
Peotone, IL 

Died:
July 1, 1962
Peotone, IL  

Career
1937-38 Kankakee Gallagher Trojans (NBL)


Born to Lester and Clara (1895-1978) Meyer went to the University of Illinois and then to Gallagher Business School. The Gallagher School basketball team competed in the NBL as the Kankakee Gallagher Trokans. He married Carole Ely of Watseka, Illinois, in 1941, and entered the U.S. Army shortly afterwards. He would own an automobile dealer in Peotone before selling it in 1960. He was working as a parts manager when he suffered a fatal heart attack in his home. He had just turned 45.

He and his wife, Carol, had two sons and two daughters.

(He is not related to teammate Don Meyer.)

Source:
Kankakee Valley Genealogical Study

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/meyerli01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=meyerli01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/little-moose-meyer/

Don Meyer

Donald Eugene "Big Moose" Meyer


Born:
April 22, 1910 
Bonfield, IL

Died:
November 10, 2000
Kankakee, IL  

Career
1937-38 Kankakee Gallagher Trojans (NBL)


Warren Times from January 14, 1938 mentions Big Moose was 6'7. His name is spelled Myer in the article.

Not 100% sure this is the right ID, but pretty certain.

Meyer was born in Bonfield, Illinois, and would play for the Kankakee Trojans in the NBL. He worked as a blacksmith and a contractor

He married Lyla Stehr in 1934.

(He is not related to teammate LaVerne Meyer. Don did have a brother named Laverne, but it is a different man. Yes. Two Laverne Meyers in the area. Odd. But true.) 

Source:
http://www.kvgs.org/obit_lookup/Obit_Img/ObitM/ME00051.pdf

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/meyerbi01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=meyerbi02
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/big-moose-meyer/

Gene Mechling

Homer Eugene "Gene" Mechling


Born:
March 24, 1909
Hopewell, OH

Died:
January 26, 1975
Venice, FL 

Career
Glenford High School - Ohio (High School) 
1929-30 Capital University (College)
1930-31 Capital University (College)
1931-32 Capital University (College)
1931-32 Hebron Gassers (Independent)
1931-32 Newark Sterling Oils (Independent)
1932-33 Cochocton (Independent)
1933-34 Cochocton Independents (Independent)
1933-34 Cochocton Buckeyes (Independent)
1934-35 Cochocton Buckeyes  (Independent) 
1935-36 Lancaster (Semi-Pro)
1935-36 Dayton Metropolitans (MBC)
1936-37 Dayton Metropolitans (MBC)
1937-38 Richmond King Clothiers/Cincinnati Comellos (NBL)
1938-39 Dayton Hall's Laundry (Independent) 


Gene Mechling was born in Hopewell, Ohio, the son of Homer (1876-1954) and Gertrude Mechling (1881-1964). He graduated from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, in 1932. He coached high school basketball somewhere in western Ohio prior to 1942, when he was an instructor at Chillicothe High School as well as an official for highs school basketball. He was married to Eleanor (1908-1990) and died in Venice, Florida, in 1975.

Grave:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=68516474

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/mcadajo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mcadajo01
http://peachbasketsociety.blogspot.com/2015/08/gene-mechling.html

Dean Mealy

Dean R. Mealy


Born:
May 7, 1915
Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Died:
April 28, 1973
Massilon, OH 

Career
Cuyahoga Falls High School - Ohio (High School) 
1934-35 Muskingum University (College)
1935-36 Muskingum University (College)
1936-37 Muskingum University (College)
1937-38 Muskingum University (College) 
1937-38 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (NBL)
1938-39 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (NBL)
1939-40 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL) 


Mealy went to Muskingum University, playing football, track and basketball. He was an airship pilot during World War 2. He worked for many years at Goodyear as an engineer and as an airship chief.

He was married to Betty and had a son and a daughter.

Source:
Akron Beacon Journal, April 29, 1973

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/mealyde01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mealyde01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/dean-mealy/

Curt McMahon

Curtis Omar McMahon


Born:
January 26, 1915
Waterloo, OH

Died:
April 28, 1978
Dayton, OH

Career
1935-36 Waterloo Wonders (Independent)
1936-37 Waterloo Wonders (Independent)  
1937-38 Dayton Metropolitans (NBL)
1938-39 Waterloo Wonders (Independent)
1938-39 Frigidaire - Dayton (Independent) 
1939-40 Waterloo Wonders (Independent)


Curtis McMahon grew up in Waterloo, Ohio, and has the captain of the famed Waterloo Wonders. He, along with other boys on the team, used to practice with a "ball" made from rags. He played semi-pro basketball around Ohio as well as a short stint with the Dayton Metros. He worked 32 years as a toolmaker. He was married Kathryn Bradshaw (c.1919-2015), who was a cheerleader for Waterloo, and had three daughters: Patricia Lewis, Carolyn Watkins and Marile Tarr. McMahon died in Dayton in 1978.








Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/mcmahcu01n.html
www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mcmahcu01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/curt-mcmahon/

Vince McGowan

Vincent J. McGowan


Born:
August 13, 1913
Chicago, IL

Died:
April 4, 1982
Oak Lawn, IL 

Career
1933-34 Schuessler Athletic Club of Chicago (Independent)
1934-35 Lifeschultz Fast Frieghts (Independent)
1934-35 Oshkosh All-Stars (Independent)
1935-36 Chicago Englewood (Independent)
1935-36 Chicago Duffy Florals (MBC)
1936-37 Whiting Ciesar All-Americans (MBC)
1937-38 Whiting Ciesar All-Americans (NBL)
1938-39 Hammond Ciesar All-Americans (NBL)
1938-39 Chicago Harmons (Independent)
1939-40 Hammond Ciesar All-Americans (NBL)
1939-40 Chicago Harmons (Independent)
1938-39 Chicago Bruins (Independent)
1940-41 Chicago Bruins (NBL)
1941-42 Chicago Bruins (NBL)
1941-42 Toledo White Huts (Independent)
1943-44 Chicago Gears (Independent)
1944-45 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1946-47 Chicago Shamrocks (Independent)
1948-49 Chicago Shamrocks (Independent)

According to the Oshkosh Northwestern from December 18, 1936, Vincent E. McGowan was a Loyola University graduate, other sources (including Murry Nelson's book on the ABL) say DePaul.  Went to high school at St. Leo's at Chicago, IL. He died in 1982.

He married Virginia Green in 1939 and they had three sons and one daughter.

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/mcgowvi01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mcgowvi01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/vince-mcgowan/

Bob McConnell

Robert Cage McConnell


Born:
May 20, 1912
Dayton, OH

Died:
July 20, 1993
Fort Myers, FL

Career
1929-30 Stivers High School - Dayton (High School)
1932-33 Denison University - Ohio (College)
1933-34 Denison University - Ohio (College)
Coshocton Redskins - Ohio (Independent)

1936-37 Granville High School - Ohio (High School) Head coach
1937-38 Columbus Athletic Supply (NBL)
1937-38 Granville High School - Ohio (High School) Head coach

Thanks to some new sources, I was pretty certain that the Columbus player previously just known as "McConnell" is likely Bob McConnell. Bob was a Denison basketball star who was coaching in Granville, Ohio, in 1937. Granville is very close to Columbus, so it seems very likely that he is the partially-identified player. I am almost 100% positive.

A football and basketball player at Stivers HS, he would later in life be heavily involved in midget racing. He retired to Florida, where he died in 1993.


He and his wife, Helen, had one son and one daughter.



Source:
Dayton Daily News, January 26, 1930
Dayton Daily News, July 22, 1993

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/mccon01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mccon01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/mcconnell/

John McAdams

John Wesley McAdams


Born:
April 15, 1912
Urbana, OH

Died:
October 18, 1975
Raleigh, NC

Career
1931-32 Urbana High School - Ohio (High School)
1932-33 Urbana High School - Ohio (High School) 
1934-35 Ohio Wesleyan University (College) 
1935-36 Ohio Wesleyan University (College)  
1936-37 Ohio Wesleyan University (College) 
1937-38 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (NBL)
1938-39 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (Independent)
1939-40 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (NBL) 

Not much known, except his college and home town. So I checked the Wesleyan athletics page and found he lettered in baseball and basketball at Ohio Wesleyan (Class of 1937). Also found this yearbook page, giving us a middle initial.
http://www.mocavo.com/Ohio-Wesleyan-University-1937-Delaware-Oh/205350/248
Trail runs cold there, but at least found a little bit more.

-12/11/2015-
Born c.1912 or 1913 to Randolph T. (1873-1953) and Florence M. Guggenheim McAdams (1877-1952), the youngest of four children. Other siblings: Ruth (1903-1984), Helen (c.1909) , Richard (c.1910).
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X4SX-MKC
Married Martha Waddell July 23, 1938
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2QHH-BR1
From this information, I found John Wesley McAdams, born in Ohio at the right time.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=mcadams&GSfn=john&GSmn=w.&GSby=1912&GSbyrel=in&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=127936442&df=all&
And with his wife Martha.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=127936556

McAdams was a popular player at Wesleyan, despite missing the first semester of his sophomore year. He also played baseball at Wesleyan, but in his senior year he started play pro basketball right after the collegiate season ended, forgoing his last season of baseball at Wesleyan.

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/mcadajo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mcadajo01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/johnny-mcadams/

Frank Maury

Frank "Fran" "X" Maury


Born:
1910 or 1911 
Erie, PA

Died:
Alive in 1962, running his own business in Warren
 

Career
1932-33 Union City - Pennsylvania (Independent)
1933-34 Warren HyVis Oil (Independent)
1934-35 Erie General Electrics (Independent)
1935-36 Warren HyVis Oil (Independent)
1935-36 Buffalo Bisons (MBC)
1936-37 Warren HyVis Oil (Independent)
1936-37 Warren Oilers (MBC)
1937-38 Warren Penns (NBL)
1938-39 Warren Penns/Cleveland White Horses (NBL)
1938-39 Elmira Colonels (NY-Penn League)
1952-53 National Transits - Warren, PA (Independent)

Not Franklin W. Maury who graduated from Penn in 1935. Died Dec 23, 2001

Found three Frank Maurys from Pennsylvania, but none of them are of likely age to have played basketball in 1937/38.

Maury measured only 5'5.

Maury also played baseball for the team at Erie General Electric and for Warren in 1938..

ProBasketball Encyclopedia identifies him as Marion Francis Maury, born July 15, 1910, dying 1993. However, I find no evidence of this being the basketball player. In fact, I cannot even find this person at all in ancestry.com or familysearch.com



Source:
Indianapolis Star, February 22, 1937
Times Herald (Olean, NY), June 12, 1937

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/mauryfr01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mauryfr01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/fran-maury/

Eddie Malanowicz

Edmund Eugene Malanowicz


Born:
December 30, 1910
Buffalo, NY

Died:
September 5, 1967
Cheektowaga, NY 

Career
1925-26 Fosdick-Masten High School - Buffalo, New York (High School)
1926-27 Fosdick-Masten High School - Buffalo, New York (High School)
1927-28 Fosdick-Masten High School - Buffalo, New York (High School)
1929-30 University of Buffalo (College)
1930-31 University of Buffalo (College)
1931-32 University of Buffalo (College)
1934-35 Buffalo Bisons (New York State League)
1937-38 Buffalo Bisons (NBL)
1938-39 Rochester Eber-Seagrams (Independent)
1939-40 Buffalo (NYSL)
1939-40 Rochester Eber-Seagrams (Independent)
1940-41 Rochester Eber-Seagrams (Independent)
1941-42 Rochester Eber-Seagrams (Independent)
1942-43 Rochester Eber-Seagrams (Independent)
1946-47 Rochester Royals (BAA) - Assistant Coach
1947-48 Rochester Royals (BAA) - Assistant Coach
1948-49 Rochester Royals (BAA) - Assistant Coach
1949-50 Rochester Royals (NBA) - Assistant Coach
1950-51 Rochester Royals (NBA) - Assistant Coach

Edmund Malanowicz went to the University of Buffalo ('32), where he was captain of the football and basketball teams. He was a long time coach and educator was also principal at John F. Kennedy High School in Cheektowaga, New York, at the time of his death. He was married to Helen (1911-??) and had a son, Edmund (1935-1995) and daughters Mary and Judith (1939-    ).


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/malaned01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=malaned01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/ed-malanowicz/

Red Malackany

George J. Malackany


Born:
May 3, 1913
Rankin, PA

Died:
December 20, 1983
Braddock, PA

Career
1930-31 Rankin High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1931-32 Rankin High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1932-33 Rankin High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1933-34 Duquesne University (College)
1934-35 Duquesne University (College)
1935-36 Duquesne University (College) 
1937-38 Warren Penns (NBL)
1938-39 Pittsburgh Pirates (NBL)

George J. Malackany went to Duquesne and after graduating played basketball for the Warren Penns in 1937-38 and the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1938-39. He enlisted in the US Army in 1943 and served in World War 2. Malackany died in Braddock, Pennsylvania, in 1983 at 70 years of age.

He married Anna Danko (1919-2000) and they had one son.


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/malacge01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=malacre01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/red-malackany/

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Bob Lytle

Robert Henry "Red" Lytle


Born:
August 9, 1916
Warren, PA

Died:
February 18, 1998
Titusville, PA

Career
Warren High School
1935-36 HyVis Oil  (Independent)
1936-37 Edinborough State (College)
1937-38 Edinborough State (College)
1937-38 Warren Penns (NBL)
1938-39 Edinborough State (College)
1939-40 Edinborough State (College)

I had very little to go on, so I checked for Robert Lytle in Warren, PA. 1930 census found Robert H. Lytle, in Warren, PA, Son of Ezra (    -1937) and May. Older brothers James (c.1908) Joseph (c.1915) Sisters Catherine (c.1913)  The 1940 census had Lytle married Mary Lou Whiting and had a daughter, Mary Charlotte. Living in Titusville, PA. Search for a grave for Mary Lou got me
this:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=lytle&GSfn=mary&GSby=1917&GSbyrel=in&GSdyrel=after&GSst=40&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=140581185&df=all&
With her husband, Robert H. Lytle, dying in 1998. So I found Mary's obit:
http://www.meadvilletribune.com/obituaries/mary-louise-lytle/article_4ec03006-8f0e-11e4-9479-77ba6ae9e3e2.html
... and now the pieces began to fit. She met Robert and married in 1938. She went to Edinboro State Teachers College, where Robert Lytle of the Warren Pens went. And her husband is listed as nicknamed "Red" which is also a match for the player. So the lines are drawn and we have Robert Lytle of the Warren Penns

A football and basketball player in high school and in college, Lytle went on to teach and coach high school football in Bessemer, Pennsylvania, Franklin, PA, Titusville, PA and Conneaut, Ohio.

Bob married Mary Louise Whiting (1917-2014) in 1938. Had four daughters, Charlotte (dec), Cynthia, Sarah, Susan and two sons, Samuel and Kevin.

Edinborough HOF page

Source:
Warren Times Mirror, January 12, 1937

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/l/lytlero01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=lytlebo01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/bob-lytle/

George "Sam" Loucks

George Lisle "Sam" Loucks


Born:
July 9, 1915
Fairfield, OH

Died:
August 4, 1992
Dayton, OH

Career
Canal Winchester - Ohio (High School)
1934-35 Otterbein University (College)
1935-36 Otterbein University (College) 
1936-37 Otterbein University (College) 
1937-38 Columbus Athletic Supply (NBL)
1938-39 Delco - Dayton (Independent)
1939-40 Delco - Dayton (Independent)
1941-42 Delco - Dayton (Independent) 

Sam was married to Helen (1917-1976).

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/l/louckge01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=loucksa01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/sam-loucks/

Frank Linskey

Frank E. Linskey


Born:
August 18, 1913
Braidwood, Illinois

Died:
July 3, 1999
Southfield, MI

Career
St. Philip High School - Chicago (High School)
1933-34 De Paul University (College)
1934-35 De Paul University (College)
1935-36 Cicero Elks (Independent)
1936-37 Cicero Elks (Independent)
1937-38 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1938-39 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1939-40 Chicago Bruins (NBL) - Player / coach
1940-41 Chicago Bruins (NBL) - Player / coach

Frank Linskey was born in Braidwood, Illinois, but the family moved to Chicago when Linskey was 3 after the death of his father. He went to St. Philip High School and then to DePaul on a scholarship. He played basketball there as well as studied business and commerce. Upon graduation, he went to play professionally and coach the Chicago Bruins. Linskey served with the army during World War 2, and when he came home, he took employment with Sears, where he worked until 1974 when he retired and moved to Florida. He eventually moved to Southfield, Michigan, where he died in 1999. He and his wife Maybelle (1915-1997) had four daughters, Christine, Jonell, Mary and Mary Andrea (1950-1951).

Scholarship information
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1999-07-10/news/9907100135_1_depaul-university-basketball-court-basketball-scholarship



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/l/linskfr01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=linskfr01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/frank-linskey/

Leroy Lins

Leroy John Lins


Born:
June 21, 1913
Milltown, NJ

Died:
August 12, 1986
Atlantis, FL

Career
1929-30 New Brunswick High School - New Jersey (High School)
1930-31 New Brunswick High School - New Jersey (High School)
1931-32 Rutgers Preperatory School  - New Jersey (Prep School)
1932-33 Rutgers Preperatory School  - New Jersey (Prep School)
1934-35 Rutgers University (College)
1935-36 Rutgers University (College)
1936-37 Rutgers University (College)
1937-38 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (NBL)

Served in the U.S. Navy during World War 2. Lins worked for Goodyear for many years, involved in the company's operations in Singapore and Paris.

He was married to Betty (1916-2002) in 1939, and they had two sons: Michael (1946-2013) and Steve.

Source:
Akron Beacon Journal, August 14, 1986
Central New Jersey Home News, August 17, 1986

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/l/linsle01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=linsle01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/leroy-lins/

Bud Lindenberg

Walter George "Bud" Lindenberg

Born:
September 13, 1909
Fort Wayne, IN

Died:
February 26, 1981
Fort Wayne, IN

Career
1930-31 Fort Wayne Hoosiers (ABL)
1932-33 Fort Wayne Chiefs (NPBL)
1933-34 Fort Wayne General Electrics (Independent)
1936-37 Fort Wayne General Electrics (MBC)
1937-38 Fort Wayne General Electrics (NBL)

UPDATE 6/25/2018

Updated to indicate the player is Walter George Lindenberg, not Lester Lindberg from Illinois.

Walter was married to Guyla (1908-1991) and they had at least one son and one daughter.


Source:



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/l/lindbbu01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=lindbbu01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/bud-lindenberg/

Seward Leeka

Seward Clough "Sue" Leeka


Born:
September 15, 1907
Oklahoma

Died:
October 11, 1985
Freeport, TX

Career
1923-24 William Crissman High School - Independence, Missouri (High School)
1924-25 William Crissman High School - Independence, Missouri (High School)
1925-26 William Crissman High School - Independence, Missouri (High School)
1926-27 University of Iowa (College)
1927-28 University of Iowa (College)
1928-29 University of Iowa (College)
1931-32 Long Beach Elks (Independent)
1932-33 Olson's Terrible Swedes (Independent)
1933-34 Minneapolis Oilers (AAU)
1935-36 Olson's Terrible Swedes (Independent)
1936-37 Olson's Terrible Swedes (Independent)
1937-38 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)

Born to Clarence Leeka (1877-1921) and Ruth Mabel Sheey (1877-1912). In 1929, Leeka was dropped from the University of Iowa due to a violation where money was "loaned" to players by the school. He applied for reinstatement in spring of 1930.
In 1939, he was coaching high school football in Freeport, Texas. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War 2.
Leeka was married to Roberta Dawson (1912-1984).

Grave

Source:
Daily Independent (Murhpysboro, Illinois), December 12, 1929

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/l/leekase01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=leekase01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/sew-leeka/

Thomas "Tim" Lawry

Thomas Joseph "Tim" Lawry, Sr.


Born:
August 1, 1911
Pittsburgh, PA

Died:
September 19, 1999
Cleveland, OH

Career
1925-26 Allegheny High School - Pittsburgh (High School)
1926-27 Allegheny High School - Pittsburgh (High School)
1927-28 Allegheny High School - Pittsburgh (High School)
1928-29 Pittsburgh University (College)
1929-30 Pittsburgh University (College)
1930-31 Pittsburgh University (College)
1931-32 Pittsburgh University (College)
1932-33 Pittsburgh Pros (Independent)
1933-34 McKeesport Willigs (Independent)
1934-35 McKeesport Willigs (Independent)
1935-36 McKeesport Big Five (Independent)
1936-37 Pittsburgh Steelers (Independent)
1937-38 Pittsburgh Pirates (NBL)


In high school, Lawry (who also went by "Tim") lead Allegheny High School to the Pittsburgh City Championship in 1928. He then moved on to Pitt, where he was a member of the 1930 championship team. He was also a talented baseball player, playing three years in the minors while also playing semi-pro basketball. He married Ruth Jack (1914-2004) in 1936, and the couple had four sons: Thomas, David, Edward and Robert.
He worked as a salesman at Shea's Sporting Goods before retiring in 1980. He moved to Cleveland, where he died after a lengthy illness in 1999.


Obit:
http://old.post-gazette.com/regionstate/19990923lawry9.asp

Minor League Baseball stats
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=lawry-001tho
and this is probably him, too.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=lawry-001tim

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/l/lawryth01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=lawryto01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/tim-lawry/

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Buck Lamme

Emerald Ford "Buck" Lamme


Born:
July 2, 1905
Delaware, OH

Died:
September 4, 1957
Dublin, OH

Career
1922-23 Ostrander High School - Ohio (High School)
1923-24 Ohio Wesleyan (College)
1924-25 Ohio Wesleyan (College) 
1925-26 Ohio Wesleyan (College)
1926-27 Columbus West High School - Ohio (High School) Head coach
1927-28 Uhrichsville High School - Ohio (High School) Head coach
1928-29 Newsies - New Philadelphia, Ohio (Independent)
1928-29 Columbus (Independent)
1928-29 Coshocton (Independent)
1928-29 Columbus West High School - Ohio (High School) Head coach
1929-30 Canton Orphans (NPBL)
1931-32 Cleveland Penzoils (Independent)
1932-33 Cleveland Penzoils (Independent)
1933-34 Coshocton (Independent)
1934-35 Coshocton Buckeyes (Independent)
1935-36 Dayton Metropolitans (MBC)
1936-37 Richmar Sterling Oils (Independent)
1937-38 Columbus Athletic Supply (NBL)
1946-47 Shea's Insurance - Columbus, Ohio (Independent)

Emerald "Buck" Lamme was born in Delaware, Ohio. He attended Ohio Wesleyan and afterwards played for Cleveland in the NFL in 1931, prior to playing basketball professionally. Lamme married Irene Mitchell (1905-??) and had two sons, Gene (1930-1962) and John (1928-2014). In 1957, Lamme was found dead at the foot of the O'Shaughnessy Dam located in Dublin, Ohio. He had jumped to his death and it was reported as suicide. He was the owner of the Brown Jug Restaurant in Delaware, Ohio, at the time of his death.

He also played minor league baseball briefly.


Source:
Daily Times, (New Philadelphia, OH) , December 19, 1928
Daily Reporter (Dover, OH), September 5, 1957
Marysville Journal Tribune, September 5, 1957


NFL Career:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LammBu20.htm

Minor League Baseball Stats
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=lamme-001---

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/l/lammeem01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=lammebu01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/buck-lamme/

John Lenhart

John W. Lenhart


Born:
December 4, 1915
Spencerport, NY

Died:
September 24, 1991


Career
1930-31 Spencerport High School - New York (High School)
1931-32 Spencerport High School - New York (High School)
1932-33 Spencerport High School - New York (High School)
1933-34 Colgate University (College)
1934-35 Colgate University (College)
1935-36 Colgate University (College)
1936-37 Colgate University (College)
1937-38 Buffalo Bisons (NBL)
1940-41 Brockport - New York (Independent)
1941-42 IBM - Rochester (Independent)
1942-43 IBM - Rochester (Independent) Head coach / player
1943-44 IBM - Rochester (Independent)


Son of Dr. Charles and Florella Lenhart, John went to Spencerport High School ('33) in Spencerport, New York. After, he played college basketball at Colgate ('37). He entered the military during World War 2.

John and his wife, Anna, had one son and one daughter.

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/l/lenhajo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=lenhajo01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/johnny-lenhart/

Ed Kweller

Edward L. Kweller


Born:
January 27, 1915
Pittsburgh, PA

Died:
April 1, 2003
Los Angeles, CA

Career
1932-33 East Pittsburgh High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1933-34 Duquesne University (College)
1934-35 Duquesne University (College)
1935-36 Duquesne University (College)
1937-38 Pittsburgh Pirates (NBL)
1938-39 Pittsburgh Pirates (NBL)
1938-39 Washington Brewers (ABL)


Born in Pittsburgh, Kweller went to Duquesne ('36) before playing basketball professionally. He played in both the ABL and the NBL. He married Frances in 1942 and they had a son, Robert, and two daughters, Donna and Ruth. He worked for many years as a furniture salesman before retiring to California. He died in Los Angeles in 2003 following a long history of heart problems.

Obit:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/latimes/obituary.aspx?n=edward-l-kweller&pid=911475

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/k/kwelled01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=kwelled01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/ed-kweller/

Joe Kruse

Joseph R. Kruse


Born:
September 9, 1914
Louisville, KY

Died:
January 18, 2003
Cincinnati, OH

Career
1930-31 St. Xavier High School - Kentucky (High School)
1931-32 St. Xavier High School - Kentucky (High School)
1932-33 St. Xavier High School - Kentucky (High School) 
1933-34 Xavier University (College) Freshmen
1934-35 Xavier University (College)
1935-36 Xavier University (College)
1936-37 Xavier University (College)
1937-38 Richmond King Clothiers/Cincinnati Comellos (NBL)



From Louisville, Kentucky, Joseph R. Kruse graduated from St. Xavier High School in Louisville, and then went to Xavier University in Cincinnati, where he played football and basketball. He joined the Comellos to play basketball, appearing in six games. He then went on to play football for the Cincinnati Bengals of the early AFL from 1938-1941. He joined the army for World War 2, and upon his return, continued to work for Joseph Kruse Insurance Company, which he opened in 1937. He retired in 1982. He was married to Dorothy Torstrick (1917-1993) and had two daughters, Patrice and Dotty. He died in Cincinnati in 2003 after being struck by a car.
Obituary:
http://www.tributes.com/show/Joseph-R.-Kruse-34247744

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/k/krusejo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=krusejo01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/joe-kruse/

Bob Kessler

Robert Louis Kessler


Born:
November 25, 1914
Indianapolis, IN

Died:
September 5, 2001
Hilton Head, SC

Career
1933-34 Purdue University (College)
1934-35 Purdue University (College)
1935-36 Purdue University (College) 
1935-36 Indianapolis Kautskys (Independent)
1936-37 Indianapolis Kautskys (MBC)
1936-67 Kessler's All Stars (Independent)
1937-38 Indianapolis Kautskys (NBL)
1938-39 Hammond Ciesar All-Americans (NBL) 



Born in Indianapolis in 1914, Robert Louis Kessler was an All-American basketball player at Purdue. He lived in Anderson, Indiana before moving to Grand Blanc and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, where he was a vice president at General Motors. In 1932, he was seriously injured in an automobile accident. He married Nondas Harmeson (1914-2002) on August 21, 1936, and had three children, Robert (1941-2013), Barbara (1940-1995) and Beverly. He moved to Hilton Head, South Carolina, in 2001, where he died in September of that year. He was named the NBL Rookie of the Year for 1937-38.


Obituary:
http://savannahnow.com/stories/090801/OBITSindex.shtml#.VcDU2vlvHsZ

Source:
Indianapolis Star, April 29, 1932

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/k/kesslro01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=kesslbo01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/bob-kessler/

Ken Jordan

Kenneth Patrick Jordan, Sr.


Born:
June 18, 1912 
California

Died:
October 14, 1994
Fort Mitchell, KY

Career
1931-32 Xavier University (College)
1932-33 Xavier University (College)
1933-34 Xavier University (College)
1934-35 Falls City - Cincinnati (unk)
1937-38 Richmond King Clothiers/Cincinnati Comellos (NBL)
1937-38 Xavier University (College) Assistant coach
1938-39 Pressler - Cincinnati (AAU)


Went to Xavier ('34) where he played football and basketball. He later worked as an official for high school games in the Cincinnati area.

His son, Ken Jordan Jr, went to Beechwood High School and played football at Univ of Cincinnati.

Source:
Cincinnati Enquirer, 9/23/1967
Cincinnati Enquirer, 10/16/1994

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/j/jordake01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=jordake01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/ken-jordan/

Mally Johnson

Morris William "Mally" Johnson


Born:
February 4, 1908
Marshall, MN

Died:
September 16, 1969
San Leandro, CA

Career
Marshall High School - Minnesota (High School)
1927-28 North Carolina State (College)
1928-29 North Carolina State (College)
1929-30 North Carolina State (College)
1930-31 Cudahy AC - Sioux City, IA (Independent)
1937-38 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)
1938-39 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)

NC State's first All-American (1930), he was also the quarterback for the football team.

Updated 7/28/2016
Sioux City Journal pointed out he went to Marshall HS in Minnesota, which pointed right at Morris William Johnson. Nice connection.

Source:
Sioux City Journal, February 1, 1931
Ancestry (membership required)

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/j/johnsmo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=johnsma03
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/mally-johnson/

William Jesko

William Joseph Jesko




Born:
December 24, 1915
Pittsburgh, PA

Died:
October 21, 1961
Whitehall, PA

Career
1930-31 South High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1931-32 South High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1932-33 South High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1933-34 Pittsburgh University (College)
1934-35 Pittsburgh University (College)
1935-36 Pittsburgh University (College)
1936-37 Pittsburgh University (College) 
1937-38 Pittsburgh Pirates (NBL)
1937-38 Fayette City High School - Pennsylvania (High School) - Head Coach
1938-39 Pittsburgh Pirates (NBL)
1938-39 Fayette City High School - Pennsylvania (High School) - Head Coach
1939-40 Pittsburgh Pirates (Independent)
1939-40 Marion High School - Pennsylvania (High School) - Coach
1940-41 Clarksburg Oilers (Independent)
1940-41 Marion High School - Pennsylvania (High School) - Coach
1941-42 Marion High School - Pennsylvania (High School) - Coach
1945-46 Marion High School - Pennsylvania (High School) - Coach 
1946-47 Baldwin High School - Pittsburgh (High School) - Head Coach
1947-48 Baldwin High School - Pittsburgh (High School) - Head Coach
1948-49 Baldwin High School - Pittsburgh (High School) - Head Coach
1949-50 Baldwin High School - Pittsburgh (High School) - Head Coach
1950-51 Baldwin High School - Pittsburgh (High School) - Head Coach
1951-52 Baldwin High School - Pittsburgh (High School) - Head Coach
1952-53 Baldwin High School - Pittsburgh (High School) - Head Coach
1953-54 Baldwin High School - Pittsburgh (High School) - Head Coach
1954-55 Baldwin High School - Pittsburgh (High School) - Head Coach
1955-56 Baldwin High School - Pittsburgh (High School) - Head Coach
1956-57 Baldwin High School - Pittsburgh (High School) - Head Coach
1957-58 Baldwin High School - Pittsburgh (High School) - Head Coach
1958-59 Baldwin High School - Pittsburgh (High School) - Head Coach
1959-60 Baldwin High School - Pittsburgh (High School) - Head Coach
1960-61 Baldwin High School - Pittsburgh (High School) - Head Coach 




Jesko went to South High School Pittsburgh before heading to Pitt ('37), where he was the team captain in his senior year. After playing in the NBL, he coached two years in Fayette City, and then coached four years at Marion High School in Fairhope, Pennsylvania, as well as teaching Spanish and phys-ed. He served in World War 2 before returning to coaching. In 1946, Jesko was named the basketball coach at Baldwin High School. He died suddenly in his home in 1961 at the age of 45.

He was married to Frances Bevan and had two daughters, Joyce and Darlene.

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/j/jeskowi01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=jeskobi01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/bill-jesko/

Stub Jacobson

Stub Jacobson


Born:
 


Died:



Career
1935-36 Luther College - Iowa (College) ??
Carnegie Tech??
1936-37 Pittsburgh YMHA (MBC)
1937-38 Warren Penns (NBL)
1938-39 Butter Krusts - Warren, PA (YMCA league)
1939-40 Butter Krusts - Warren, PA (YMCA league)


Source:
Warren Times, December 11, 1937

Some articles say he went to Luther College in Iowa, but he may have gone to Carnegie Tech in Pittsburgh. There was an Art Jacobson (1916-1987) who played basketball at Titusville HIgh School in Pennsylvania 1932-34.






Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/j/jacobst01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=jacobst01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/stub-jacobson/

Bill Jackson

William Jackson


Born:
c. 1912 


Died:



Career
1931-32 Syracuse University (College)??
1933-34 Kenmore Nationals (YMCA)
1934-35 Buffalo Tru Penns (Independent)
1935-36 Buffalo Tru Penns (Independent)
1936-37 Buffalo Dellwoods (YMCA)
1937-38 Buffalo Bisons (NBL)



Went to Syracuse, allegedly, but I do not see his name on the list of basketball letterman there. Played seven games for Buffalo Bisons after a few years of semi-pro basketball.

Possibly
William Jackson 1911-2000


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/j/jacksst01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=jacksst03
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/bill-jackson/