Jule Rivlin

Julius Leon Rivlin


Born:
February 2, 1917
Pittsburgh, PA

Died:
September 23, 2002
Los Angeles, CA


Career
1932-33 Tridelphia High School - Wheeling, West Virginia (High School)
1933-34 Tridelphia High School - Wheeling, West Virginia (High School)
1934-35 Tridelphia High School - Wheeling, West Virginia (High School)
1937-38 Marshall University (College)
1938-39 Marshall University (College)
1939-40 Marshall University (College)
1939-40 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (Independents)
1940-41 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (NBL)
1943-44 Wyoming Ft. Warren (Military)
1945-46 Toledo Whites (Independent)
1946-47 Toledo Jeeps (NBL) - Player / coach
1947-48 Toledo Jeeps (NBL) - Player / coach
1948-49 Wheeling Blues (AABL) Player / coach
1949-50 Wheeling Blues (AABL) Player / coach
1950-51 Wheeling Blues (AAL)
1951-52 Wheeling (Independent)
1955-56 Marshall University (College) - Head coach
1956-57 Marshall University (College) - Head coach
1957-58 Marshall University (College) - Head coach
1958-59 Marshall University (College) - Head coach
1959-60 Marshall University (College) - Head coach
1960-61 Marshall University (College) - Head coach
1961-62 Marshall University (College) - Head coach
1962-63 Marshall University (College) - Head coach

Born to Daniel (1892-1970) and Celia Radbord Rivlin (1895-1956) in 1917. He was from a poor family, and was as good at track as he was at basketball. He turned down a track scholarship at Pitt to go to Marshall. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War 2. After coaching Toledo for a few seasons, he opened a sporting good shop in his hometown before being approached to coach Marshall.
Married Esther Komesor in 1945, and they had a son, Jerry, and four daughters;  Randy Schneider, Sherryl, Susan Wolfe, and Felicia Thayer

Source:
http://www.huntingtonquarterly.com/articles/issue81/rivlin.php

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/r/rivliju01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=pricepa01

Paul Price

Paul Price


Born:
c. 1913
 

Died:




Career
Notre Dame (College) ??
1940-41 Hammond Ciesar All-Americans (NBL)

No record of him playing at Notre Dame despite claims elsewhere.

12/19/18: 
Possible Paul V. Price (1914-1984)

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/p/pricepa01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=pricepa01

Erv Prasse

Erwin Theodore Prasse



Born:
December 1, 1917
Chicago, IL

Died:
June 18, 2005
Naperville, IL


Career
Schurz High School - Chicago (High School)
1937-38 University of Iowa (College)
1938-39 University of Iowa (College)
1939-40 University of Iowa (College)
1940-41 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1941-42 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1945-46 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)

At Iowa, Prasse was the captain of the football team. Aside from football and basketball, Prasse also played baseball at Iowa. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the NFL, and played baseball in 1940 and 1941 in the St Louis Cardinal's farm system. He graduated and played for Oshkosh, with a break to serve in the military during World War 2. He was shot in the arm in combat, thus ending his baseball career. After one more season with Oshkosh, he went to work as an insurance salesman. He died in 2005 of a brain hemorrhage after falling in his home.

He and his wife, Norma, whom he married in 1942, had ten children, including sons Irv Jr., Greg, Chris and Jerry; and daughters Nina Wessels, Gretchen Losurdo, Joanne Ackard, Bernie Hill and Meg Davis.

Obituary

Minor League Baseball Stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=prasse001erw

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/p/prasser01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=prasser01

Jack Piana

John Richard "Jack" Piana


Born:
August 6, 1918
Detroit, MI

Died:
July 10, 2001
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI


Career
1933-34 St. Anthony - Detroit (High School)
1934-35 St. Anthony - Detroit (High School)
1935-36 St. Anthony - Detroit (High School)
1936-37 University of Detroit (College)
1937-38 University of Detroit (College)
1938-39 University of Detroit (College)
1939-40 University of Detroit (College)
1940-41 Detroit Eagles (NBL)
1941-42 Detroit AAA (Detroit Basketball Association)
1946-47 Detroit Mansfields (Independent)

While playing at University of Detroit, Piana's senior year was cut short when he, along with four teammates, were suspended by head coach Lloyd Brazil for playing in an unauthorized game for his old high school in a CYO match-up. He served in the military during World War 2.

Jack married Marion Budnick on July 5, 1941.

Source:
Milwaukee Journal, February 28, 1940


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/p/pianajo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=pianaja01

Jake Pelkington

John Francis Robert Pelkington, Jr.


Born:
January 3, 1916
New York

Died:
May 1, 1982
Fort Wayne, IN


Career
1932-33 Cathedral Prep - Brooklyn (High School)
1933-34 Cathedral Prep - Brooklyn (High School)
1934-35 Brooklyn Visitation (ABL)
1935-36 Kingston Colonials (ABL)
1935-36 Detroit Clowns (Independent) 
1936-37 Original Celtics (Independent) 
1936-37 Albany Senators (Independent)
1936-37 New York Jewels (ABL)
1937-38 New York Jewels (ABL)
1937-38 New York Yankees (ABL)
1937-38 Myerstown (TCL) 
1937-38 Binghamton (Independent) 
1938-39 New York Jewels (ABL)
1938-39 Allentown (TCL)
1938-39 Original Celtics (Independent)
1939-40 New York Jewels (ABL)
1939-40 Allentown - Reading (TCL)
1939-40 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (Independent)
1940-41 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (NBL)
1940-41 Rochester Seagrams (Independent)
1940-41 Rochester Seagrams (Independent)
1941-42 Detroit Eagles (Independent)
1941-42 Original Celtics (Independent) 
1941-42 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1942-43 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1942-43 Original Celtics (Independent)
1943-44 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1944-45 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1945-46 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1946-47 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1947-48 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1948-49 Fort Wayne Pistons (BAA)
1948-49 Baltimore Bullets (BAA)


Apparently attended Manhattan College, but did not play there.

Married Elsie (1913-2006) and they had three sons; John III (dec. 2014), Patrick (1955-2003) and Robert.


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/p/pelkijo01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pelkija01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=pelkija01

Page

Page


Born:

 

Died:




Career
1940-41 Detroit Eagles (NBL)

Played one game for the Detroit Eagles. Do you have any idea how hard it is to search for a guy named "Page?"



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/p/page01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=page01

Tom O'Toole

Thomas Patrick O'Toole II


Born:
May 14, 1913
Akron, OH

Died:
July 28, 1983
Sun City, AZ


Career
1932-33 Pat and Jack's Service - Akron (Independent)
1934-35 Akron Coals (Independent)
1936-37 Akron Backers Jewelers (Independent)
1939-40 Monco - Akron (Independent)
1939-40 Akron Knights of Columbus (Independent)
1940-41 Hammond Ciesar All-Americans (NBL)

From Akron, O'Toole played one game for Hammond, joining the team briefly (along with Bill Sumerix) for one road game in Akron following the resignation of two of the club's players just days before: Ralph Vaughn and Bill Behr. O'Toole and Sumerix were referred to as "ancient Akron stars" in the newspaper article.

When I found Thomas Patrick O'Toole (1913-1983), it put him out of Akron, which matched and made him likely. But what sealed the deal for me was he worked at General Tire in Akron, where Bill Sumerix worked. That is enough for me to say that this is our guy.

Married to Helen Coen and had a son and two daughters.

Source:
Evening Review (East Liverpool, Ohio), January 9, 1933
Evening Independent (Massilon, Ohio), January 17, 1935
Sandusky Register, February 2, 1937
Akron Beacon Journal, February 19, 1941

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/o/otoolto01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=otoolto01

Bill O'Brien

William Mahony O'Brien


Born:
November 13, 1917
Chicago, IL 

Died:
May 8, 1985
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI


Career
1938-39 Loyola University - Chicago (College)
1940-41 Chicago Bruins (NBL)

After playing at Loyola, O'Brien payed for the Bruins while studying law. He left law school and the NBL to join the FBI in 1941, working with the counter-espionage unit. After the war, he returned to Loyola to finish his law degree. He worked in labor relations for Ford Aircraft and then Chrylser, retiring in 1980. He formed a consulting company where he worked in retirement.
He married Mary Jane Bryar (1917-1985) in 1944 and they had three daughters; Maureen Doyle, Kathleen Fox and Margaret O'Brien.
On the morning of May 8, 1985, O'Brien and his wife were both killed in a house fire at their home. The police determined it was arson.

Newspaper Story, May 16, 1985, Grosse Pointe News
http://digitize.gp.lib.mi.us/digitize/newspapers/gpnews/1985-89/85/1985-05-16.pdf

Obituary:
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-05-10/sports/8501290363_1_chrysler-united-auto-workers-industrial-relations



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/o/obriebi01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=obriebi01

Bill McDonald

William Lawrence McDonald


Born:
November 5, 1916
Spring Valley, IL 

Died:
February 7, 1994
Oshkosh, WI


Career
Spring Valley High School - Illinois
1937-38 St. Bede - Peru, IL (College)
1938-39 Marquette University (College)
1939-40 Marquette University (College)
1940-41 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1941-42 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1942-43 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1943-44 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1944-45 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1946-47 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1946-47 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1947-48 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1949-50 Oshkosh Stars (WSBL)
1951-52 Sheboygan Redkins (Independent)

In 1959, McDonald was working as a station manager and sports broadcaster for the radio station WOSH in Oshkosh.* He was still with that station in 1980.**

Source:
* "The Butler Did It" by Larry Butler
** http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/edwards/Images/Letters/19800116McDonald.jpg

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/mcdonbi01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mcdonbi01

Bill Lane

William Bradfield Lane


Born:
November 2, 1916
Detroit, MI

Died:
June 21, 1997
Port Huron, MI


Career
1930-31 Eastern High School - Detroit (High School)
1931-32 Eastern High School - Detroit (High School)
1932-33 Eastern High School - Detroit (High School) 
1936-37 University of Michigan (College) 
1937-38 University of Michigan (College)
1938-39 Cooper Collegians (Independent)
1939-40 East Side Sports (Detroit Bask. Assoc)
1940-41 Detroit Eagles (NBL)


Update 12/19/18
Found a newspaper article that gave a William Lane whose address in Detroit as 3642 Parker Street, which is a few blocks from Eastern High School, so I likely have the right guy. Born to William (b. 1891) and Millie (b. 1889) . Sisters Bernice (b. 1913) and Carolyn (b. 1920) This lead to WIlliam Bradfield Lane, whose obituary mentions his sisters Caroline and Carolyn. Obituary mentions his love of sports and 1938 University of Michigan

Bill served in the Air Corps during World War 2  and worked for many years at Ford Motor Company. He married Mary Moran-Cramer in 1948 and they had a son and a daughter.

Source:
Times Herald (Port Huron, MI) June 23, 1997

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/l/lanebi01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=lanebi01

Jim Higgins

James Chaplin Higgins


Born:
December 25, 1918
Olney, IL

Died:
February 12, 2002
Urbana, IL


Career
1935-36 Olney High School - Decatur, IL (High School)
Washington University - St Louis (College)  ??
1940-41 Hammond Ciesar All-Americans (NBL)

The 6'8 center played one game for Hammond. Residing in St Louis at some point, it is hard to believe a guy this tall did not play somewhere else, collegiate or pro.

- Update 8/16/2016 - 

Couple of hot tips. I think I found out who he is.

There is a James C. Higgins who pitched in the minor leagues in the late 30's and early 40'. The southpaw is listed as being 6'7 and 220 pounds. He played out east mainly in the Athletics' farm system, but spent the 1940 season with Appleton in the Wisconsin League. A newspaper article from August 31, 1940, says he is 6'8. This puts him in proximity of being able to suit up one time for Hammond. I am very sure it is him.

I found a Jim Higgins who played at Olney HS in 1935-36 and was a center. The Decatur Herald confirmed that the Olney center decided against attending Northwestern to play basketball, and instead signed with the St. Louis Browns of the American League.

Ancestry.com search found Higgins in Olney. I am closing the book on this one.

Born to James and Bertha Higgins, Higgins baseball career consisted of four season in the minor leagues. He later work for GTE and died in 2002.

He and his wife, Verlyn, had two daughters.


Source:
Decatur Daily Review, December 24, 1935
Decatur Daily Review, March 13, 1936
Decatur Herald, December 9, 1937
Post-Crescent (Appleton,Wisconsin), August 31, 1940
The Times (Hammond), November 24, 1940

Minor League Baseball Stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=higgin002jam


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/higgiji01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=higgiji01

Splinter Johnson

Charles Robert "Splinter" Johnson


Born:
June 16, 1920
Frankfort, IN

Died:
August 6, 2002
Suwannee, FL


Career
1937-38 Frankfort High School - Indiana (High School)
1938-39 Frankfort High School - Indiana (High School)
1939-40 Purdue University (College) Freshmen
1940-41 Hammond Ciesar All-Americans (NBL)
1941-42 Frankfort Nickel Plate (Independent)
1946-47 Frankfort (American Legion)


A photo of the Frankfort High School team of 1938-39 shows Johnson. Therefore he would have gone to Purdue after 1939.

Update 8/17/16
I found his obituary in the Frankfort Times, August 8, 2002.

Born to Lawrence and Pearl Johnson, he went to Frankfort High School and served in the Army during World War 2.

In January of 1939, during a game against Kokomo, Splinter got into a fistfight with Jim Ricketts that escalated quickly as fans poured onto the court, resulting in a punch to the jaw for the referee. Police had to break up the near-riot.


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

Source:
Kokomo Tribune, January 21, 1939
The Republic (Columbus, Indiana), February 27, 1940
The Times (Hammond), November 24, 1940
Democrat and Chronicle, January 19, 1941
Kokomo Tribune, December 14, 1946

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/j/johnsch01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=johnssp01

Jack Jennings

Jack Leroy Jennings


Born:
April 2, 1918
Walla Walla, WA 

Died:
February 8, 1982
Seattle, WA


Career
1937-38 Washington State University (College)
1938-39 Washington State University (College)
1939-40 Washington State University (College)
1940-41 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)
1945-46 Yakima High School - Washington (High School) - Asst. coach
1946-47 Yakima Ramblers (PCL)
1946-47 Yakima High School - Washington (High School) - Head coach
1947-48 Yakima High School - Washington (High School) - Head coach
1948-49 Yakima High School - Washington (High School) - Head coach
1949-50 Yakima High School - Washington (High School) - Head coach
1950-51 Yakima High School - Washington (High School) - Head coach
1951-52 Yakima High School - Washington (High School) - Head coach
1952-53 Yakima High School - Washington (High School) - Head coach
1953-54 Yakima High School - Washington (High School) - Head coach
1954-55 Yakima High School - Washington (High School) - Head coach

According to an article in the Eugene Register Guard from December 5, 1962, his son, Bill, was on the Oregon Ducks freshman basketball team, and Jack was living in Yakima.
https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19621205&id=Iv9VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1uIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3659,924020&hl=en

So from here, found an obscure article.

In a blurb in the Daily Chronicle, Centralia (WA) 5/22/73, I think it mentions the death of Jack's wife, Mary Lou Jennings (3/7/73 in Yakima). His father is named Frank (1889-1958), mother is Elsie (1890-1982), and lists two sons, William R Jennings of Albany, Oregon (which matches the Oregon Ducks player) and Scott E. Jennings (b. 1948) of Vancouver. Jack's brother, Bill, died in 1951 at 36 years of age.

Then buried on this genealogy page for the the Pettijohn family, I find the Jennings family, and fill in birthday and complete name. This Locate Ancestors link gives us his date of death. Hooray!

Jennings served in the army during World War 2. He was a long time head coach at Yakima High School. He may have coached beyond the 1954-55 season, I am not certain.

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VMSS-DPB



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/j/jennija01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=jennija01

Marv Huffman

Marvin Huffman


Born:
March 14, 1917
New Castle, IN

Died:
May 15, 1983
Akron, OH


Career
New Castle High School - Indiana (High School)
1937-38 Indiana University (College)
1938-39 Indiana University (College)
1939-40 Indiana University (College)
1939-40 Akron Collegians (Independent)
1940-41 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (NBL)
1941-42 Akron Collegians (Independent)
1942-43 Akron Collegians (Independent)
1944-45 Rochester Guards (Professional)
1946-47 Akron Goodyear (Independent)

Born to Clarence and Leona Huffman. Huffman played basketball at Indiana, where he was awarded as MVP of the 1940 NCAA Tournament.

His brother Vern also played professional basketball (as well as played in the NFL).

Married Marie Jeannette Turgi (1919-1979) on September 20, 1941

Grave

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/huffmma01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=huffmma01

Pete Hecomovich

Peter Anthony Hecomovich


Born:
June 13, 1918
Taconite, MN

Died:
May 21, 1993
Marble, MN


Career

University of Idaho (College)
1940-41 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)

Born to Michael and Helen Hecomovich. He was the quarterback at the University of Idaho and was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals. Served in the U.S. Army during World War 2.
He married Frances Murphy on December 30, 1942. 

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/hecompe01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hecompe01

Bill Hapac

William John Hapac


Born:
January 26, 1918
Chicago, IL 

Died:
March 9, 1967
Chicago, IL


Career
1934-35 Morton East High School - Cicero, Illinois (High School)
1937-38 University of Illinois (College)
1938-39 University of Illinois (College)
1939-40 University of Illinois (College)
1940-41 Chicago Bruins (NBL)
1945-46 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1946-47 Anderson Duffey Packers (NBL)
1947-48 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1952-53 Morton East High School - Cicero, Illinois (High School) - Coach
1953-54 Morton East High School - Cicero, Illinois (High School) - Coach
1954-55 Morton East High School - Cicero, Illinois (High School) - Coach
1955-56 Morton East High School - Cicero, Illinois (High School) - Coach
1956-57 Morton East High School - Cicero, Illinois (High School) - Coach
1957-58 Morton East High School - Cicero, Illinois (High School) - Coach
1958-59 Morton East High School - Cicero, Illinois (High School) - Coach
1959-60 Morton East High School - Cicero, Illinois (High School) - Coach
1960-61 Morton East High School - Cicero, Illinois (High School) - Coach
1961-62 Morton East High School - Cicero, Illinois (High School) - Coach
1962-63 Morton East High School - Cicero, Illinois (High School) - Coach
1963-64 Morton East High School - Cicero, Illinois (High School) - Coach
1964-65 Morton East High School - Cicero, Illinois (High School) - Coach
1965-66 Morton East High School - Cicero, Illinois (High School) - Coach
1966-67 Morton East High School - Cicero, Illinois (High School) - Coach

Hapac was an All-American at Illinois before joining the Bruins. In his senior year, Illinois was playing at Minnesota and his old coach from Morton, William McBurney, has driving up to see him play but was killed in a car accident on the way. Hapac also played minor league baseball at this time in the Detroit Tigers farm system.
After serving in the U.S. Army during World War 2, he returned to the NBL for three more seasons. He coached basketball at Morton until his death in 1967 at 49 years of age of an undisclosed rare disease.
He was married to Ruth (1924-2000)



Minor League Baseball Stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=hapac-002wil


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/hapacwi01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/hapacwi01n.html

Adam Filipczak

Adam Joseph "Flip" Filipczak


Born:
February 12, 1915
Michigan

Died:
July 4, 1992
Michigan


Career
1933-34 Northeastern High School - Detroit (High School)
Wayne State - Detroit (College)??
1939-40 Briggs Beautywares - Highland Park, Michigan (Independent) 
1939-40 East Side Sports (Detroit Basketball Association)
1940-41 Detroit Eagles (NBL)

Father was Joseph.
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KH9H-YG2

Married to Margaret Erdelyi and had a son, Jack E. (c.1938)

This link puts him as dying in 1992.
http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?gl=allgs&gss=sfs28_ms_f-2_s&new=1&rank=1&msT=1&gsfn=Adam&gsfn_x=1&gsln=Filipczak&gsln_x=1&mswpn__ftp_x=1&MSAV=2&MS_AdvCB=1&gskw_x=1&_83004002_x=1&cp=0&catbucket=rstp&uidh=000

A search into Ancestry confirmed this as our guy. Played football at Northwestern High School.

Allegedy played at Wayne State, but he is not listed as a letter winner there in their media guide.




Stats:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/f/filipad01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=filipad01

Ted Falda

Theodore Edward Falda


Born:
January 2, 1920
Whiting, IN

Died:
September 7, 1996
West Lafayette, IN


Career

Indiana State (College)
1936-37 Whiting High School - Indiana (High School)
1937-38 Whiting High School - Indiana (High School)
1939-40 Hammond McNamara Five (Independent)
1940-41 St. Adalbert's - Hammon (Independent)
1940-41 Hammond Ciesar All-Americans (NBL)


Born to Polish immigrants John and Sophie Falda, Theodore played at Indiana State before joining the Hammond squad.  served in the U.S. Army during World War 2.
He married Ann Drabik on August 16, 1941 and they had a son, David (1945-2009), and four  daughters; Joanne Wandell, Suzanne Benak, Mary Beth Hayes and Barbara West.

Obit

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/f/faldath01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=faldate01

Dick Evans

Richard Jacob Evans


Born:
May 31, 1915
Chicago, IL 

Died:
May 26, 2008
Sarasota, FL


Career
De Paul Academy - Chicago (High School)
1939-40 Iowa University (College)
1940-41 Hammond Ciesar All-Americans (NBL)
1940-41 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1941-42 Chicago Bruins (NBL)
1942-43 Chicago Studebaker Flyers (NBL)


Evans was a football star at Iowa who played basketball professionally as well as playing end for Green Bay and the Chicago Cardinals in the NFL during World War 2. He later was the defensive back coach for the Packers.

He married Miriam in 1943 and they had a daughter and two sons.

Some sources list him as being born in 1917, but his SSDI record and 1930 and 1940 census record indicated he was born in 1915.

NFL Stats:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/EvanDi20.htm

Stats:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/e/evansri01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=evansdi01

Paul DuCharme

Paul Edmund DuCharme


Born:
August 27, 1917
St. Anne, IL 

Died:
October 12, 1985
Akron, OH


Career
Mt. Carmel - Chicago (High School)
1936-37 Notre Dame (College)
1937-38 Notre Dame (College)
1938-39 Notre Dame (College)
1940-41 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)

Born to Lawrence and Lucille DuCharme in Illinois, he headed to Akron to start a career at Firestone as a labor relations manager, playing basketball for a season as well. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War 2.
Paul married Katharine Graham in 1944, and remarried to Florence in 1950. He had two sons, Paul and Dennis, and two daughters, Diane Galbraith and Anne DuCharme.

Source:
Chicago Times, October 15, 1985

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/d/duchapa01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=duchapa01

Bob Dille

Robert Orville "Oscar" Dille


Born:
July 2, 1917
Chesterton, IN 

Died:
December 10, 1998
Valparaiso, IN


Career
1932-33 Chesterton High School - Indiana (High School)
1933-34 Chesterton High School - Indiana (High School)
1934-35 Chesterton High School - Indiana (High School)
1938-39 Valpo Kernals (Independent)
1939-40 Valpo Kernals (Independent)
1939-40 Gary Goodfellows (Independent)
1940-41 Porter Feed (Independent)
1940-41 Jackson AC (Independent)
1940-41 Hammond Ciesar All-Americans (NBL)
1941-42 Northern Indiana Steelers (Independent)
1942-43 Valparaiso University (College)
1943-44 Valparaiso University (College)
1944-45 Valparaiso University (College)
1945-46 Valparaiso University (College)
1946-47 Detroit Falcons (BAA)
1947-48 Valparaiso University (College) - Asst Coach
1948-49 Valpariaso High School - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach
1949-50 Valpariaso High School - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach
1950-51 Valpariaso High School - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach
1951-52 Valpariaso High School - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach
1952-53 Valpariaso High School - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach
1953-54 Valpariaso High School - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach
1954-55 Berne High School - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach
1955-56 Berne High School - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach
1956-57 Berne High School - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach
1957-58 Fort Wayne Central - Indiana (High School) - Asst Coach
1958-59 Fort Wayne Central - Indiana (High School) - Asst Coach
1959-60 Fort Wayne Central - Indiana (High School) - Asst Coach
1960-61 Fort Wayne Central - Indiana (High School) - Asst Coach
1961-62 Fort Wayne Central - Indiana (High School) - Asst Coach
1962-63 Fort Wayne Central - Indiana (High School) - Asst Coach
1963-64 Fort Wayne Central - Indiana (High School) - Asst Coach
1964-65 Fort Wayne Central - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach
1965-66 Fort Wayne Central - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach
1966-67 Fort Wayne Central - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach
1967-68 Fort Wayne Central - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach
1968-69 Fort Wayne Central - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach
1969-70 Fort Wayne Central - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach
1970-71 Fort Wayne Central - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach
1971-72 Fort Wayne Northrop High School - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach
1972-73 Fort Wayne Northrop High School - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach
1973-74 Fort Wayne Northrop High School - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach
1974-75 Fort Wayne Northrop High School - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach
1975-76 Fort Wayne Northrop High School - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach
1976-77 Fort Wayne Northrop High School - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach
1977-78 Fort Wayne Northrop High School - Indiana (High School) - Head Coach 

Born to John (1877-1941) and Maude (1881-1956) Dille in Chesteron, Indiana, Dille played basketball and baseball in high school but after graduation went to work. He played married and started a family before joining Hammond to play in the 1940-41 season. Ineligible for the military because of his family status, he started college at 26 and played for Valpo during the war. After graduation, he played for the Detroit Falcons in the BAA. He then went on to coach basketball for many years.

Married Melba Olson (1919-1999) and they had a son, Robert Jr.

Obit

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/d/dillero01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/dillebo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=dillebo01

Emil Benko

Emil Ludwig Benko 
(previously listed in sports encyclopedias as "Danko" )


Born:
November 9, 1913
Whiting, IN

Died:
November 14, 2007
East Chicago, IN


Career
1930-31 Whiting High School (High School)
1935-36 Whiting Ciesar (semi-pro)
1938-39 Hammond Ciesar All-Americans (NBL)
1940-41 Hammond Ciesar All-Americans (NBL)


A player simply listed as "Danko", who played one game for Hammond. That's all we have.


Update: 4/9/16
 An article in the Hammond Times from December 17, 1935, mentions a man named Emil Benko, a "sharp shooting forward and ex-Oiler star". I like this possibility. Benko went to Whiting High 1932-33. I found Emil's obituary and it appears that Benko is indeed the player who was listed as "Danko".

He went on to play for Whiting Ciesar's, the first semi-pro team that played at the Community Center, and then they moved to the Hammond Civic Center and changed the name to the Hammond Ciesar's who were coached by Frank Martin.

Update: 12/3/18
I found a box score from March 6, 1939, where Benko played for Hammond, scoring two points. I added this to his career, and he now is a two-year veteran of the NBL.

Born to Michael and Susan Benko, he grew up in Whiting and played basketball in high school, and also for various teams in the area in the 1930's. He eventually hooked up with Ciesar and played through various incarnations of the team (semi-pro, pro, amateur). He served in the U.S. Army during World War 2, he also worked at  Standar Oil and Amoco before retiring in 1973. He died in 2007 just days after turning 94.

He married Martha Ciesar (d. 2002) in 1946 and they had two daughters, Arlene and Jean.

Source:
Decatur Daily Review, December 21, 1936
Obituary, Hammond Times, November 17-18, 2007

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/d/danko01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=danko01

Bob Carpenter

Robert Melvin Carpenter


Born:
November 6, 1917
Cumby, TX

Died:
April 18, 1997
Tyler, TX


Career
1939-40 East Texas State (College)
1940-41 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1945-46 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1946-47 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1947-48 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1948-49 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1948-49 Hammond Calumet Buccaneers (NBL) - Player/Coach
1949-50 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1950-51 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1950-51 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBA)
1958-59 John Tyler High School - Tyler, TX (High School) - Head Coach
1959-60 John Tyler High School - Tyler, TX (High School) - Head Coach
1960-61 John Tyler High School - Tyler, TX (High School) - Head Coach
1961-62 John Tyler High School - Tyler, TX (High School) - Head Coach
1962-63 John Tyler High School - Tyler, TX (High School) - Head Coach
1963-64 John Tyler High School - Tyler, TX (High School) - Head Coach
1964-65 John Tyler High School - Tyler, TX (High School) - Head Coach
1965-66 John Tyler High School - Tyler, TX (High School) - Head Coach
1966-67 John Tyler High School - Tyler, TX (High School) - Head Coach
1967-68 John Tyler High School - Tyler, TX (High School) - Head Coach
1968-69 John Tyler High School - Tyler, TX (High School) - Head Coach
1969-70 John Tyler High School - Tyler, TX (High School) - Head Coach

Married Mary Lewis on January 31, 1942, and they had a son, Bobby. Served in the U.S. Navy during World War 2.

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/c/carpero01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/carpebo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=carpebo01

Bob Calihan

Robert James Calihan


Born:
August 2, 1918
Perry, IA 

Died:
September 22, 1989
Detroit, MI


Career
1933-34 St. George High School - Evanston, IL (High School)
1934-35 St. George High School - Evanston, IL (High School)
1935-36 St. George High School - Evanston, IL (High School)
1937-38 University of Detroit (College)
1938-39 University of Detroit (College)
1939-40 University of Detroit (College)
1940-41 Detroit Eagles (NBL)
1941-42 Detroit Eagles (Independent)
1941-42 Great Lakes (Navy)
1942-43 New London (CSL)
1942-43 Harrisburg Senators (ABL)
1943-44 New London Diesels (Independent)
1943-44 Hartford Villanovas (Independent)
1945-46 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1946-47 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1947-48 Flint/Midland Dow A.C.'s (NBL)
1947-48 Chicago Gears (PBLA)
1948-49 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1949-50 University of Detroit (College)- Head Coach
1950-51 University of Detroit (College)- Head Coach
1951-52 University of Detroit (College)- Head Coach
1952-53 University of Detroit (College)- Head Coach
1953-54 University of Detroit (College)- Head Coach
1954-55 University of Detroit (College)- Head Coach
1955-56 University of Detroit (College)- Head Coach
1956-57 University of Detroit (College)- Head Coach
1957-58 University of Detroit (College)- Head Coach
1958-59 University of Detroit (College)- Head Coach
1959-60 University of Detroit (College)- Head Coach
1960-61 University of Detroit (College)- Head Coach
1961-62 University of Detroit (College)- Head Coach
1962-63 University of Detroit (College)- Head Coach
1963-64 University of Detroit (College)- Head Coach
1964-65 University of Detroit (College)- Head Coach
1965-66 University of Detroit (College)- Head Coach
1966-67 University of Detroit (College)- Head Coach
1967-68 University of Detroit (College)- Head Coach
1968-69 University of Detroit (College)- Head Coach


Calihan served in the U.S. Navy during World War 2, and after the war returned to the NBL and played for Chicago. After his basketball career, he returned to his alma mater to coach for 20 years.In 1977, the University of Detroit named their basketball arena after Calihan.
He married Virginia and had two daugher, Colleen and Susan, and a son, Robert.

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/c/calihro01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=calihbo01

Jim Brown

James Thomas Brown, Jr.


Born:
June 13, 1912
Philadelphia, PA 

Died:
January 6, 1991



Career
South Philadelphia High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1932-33 Temple University (College)
1933-34 Temple University (College)
1934-35 Temple University (College)
1935-36 Buffalo Bisons (MBC)
1935-36 Rees-Maloy Wolves (Independent) 
1936-37 Kingston Colonials (ABL)
1937-38 Kingston Colonials (ABL)
1937-38 Binghamton (NYPL)
1938-39 Kingston Colonials (ABL)
1938-39 Troy Haymakers (ABL)
1938-39 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1939-40 Troy Haymakers (ABL)
1939-40 Washington Brewers (ABL)
1939-40 New York Celtics (Independent)
1940-41 Detroit Eagles (NBL)
1941-42 Hamburg (TCL)
1942-43 Norfolk (Military)

Served in the military in World War 2. (Played basketball while stationed in Norfolk, 1942)

Here is an article about him from the Detroit Free Press, December 3, 1940:
Although Jim Brown's present concern is with the Detroit Eagles of the National Basketball League, he is by no means at a loss for employment when the cage season ends. He spends his spring and summer playing professional baseball, and last year he was offered a Job to sing with a dance orchestra. This man of many talents has come a long way since he captained the Temple University basketball team during the 1934-35 season and was the leading scorer in the Eastern Intercollegiate Conference. His scoring ability carried him to the top of the American Basketball League. He played with Kingston, Wilkes-Barre and Troy in that circuit before joining the independent New York Celtics last season. When Dutch Dehnert, the Celtic coach, was hired by the Eagles this fall, he brought along Brown and Rusty Saunders from the New York quintet. Plays Despite Injury 'Jim suffered an infected foot two weeks ago, and it was feared that he would not be able to play In the Eagles' exhibition game against the Harlem Globe Trotters. He was released from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital the. afternoon before the game, and he insisted that he was fully able to play. The fans who saw the Eagles lose to the Globe Trotters may remember that although Jim was in the game only three minutes he scored two baskets and played a very fast brand of basketball. Unfortunately, he aggravated his injury and was ordered back to the hospital. His second term in the hospital ended last Friday, and he declares that he is ready for the Eagles' opening game Wednesday night against - the Akron Fire-stones, Ability Is Recognized Jim's crooning talent has long been recognized by his friends, but it was not until last winter that he received an opportunity to cash in on his warbling. While the Celtics were playing in Shreveport. La., Brown was offered a crooning job with Dusty Rhodes and his dance band, but. he decided to keep his vocalizing on an amateur basis. According to the other members' of the Eagles, Jim's locker-room specialties are "South of the Border" and "Oh, Johnny." His talent on the diamond has had more opportunity for expression, however, as he has successfully combined professional basketball and baseball. He made a name for himself in the Class D minor leagues as a hard-hitting outfielder, and in 1938 was signed by the Tigers while playing at Hot Springs. Ark. In 1939 he was sent to the Tigers' Texas League farm at Beaumont, and this year he played with Toledo in the American Association. His work for the Mud Hens was confined to pinch-hitting because of an elbow injury he suffered early in the season, but he is expected to be in the Toledo outfield for the 1941 season. 

Born to James and Mary (Singley) Thomas. Thomas was a professional baseball player as well as a basketball player. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War 2.

Source:
Daytona Beach Morning Journal - Feb 5, 1942

Minor League Baseball Stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=brown-016jam

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/b/brownji01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=brownji02

Wink Bowman

Wendell Carleton "Wink" Bowman


Born:
January 22, 1916
Monticello, IN

Died:
December 8, 2001
Remington, IN


Career
1932-33 Remington High School - Indiana (High School)
1933-34 Remington High School - Indiana (High School)
1939-40 St Joseph's College - Indiana (College)
1940-41 Hammond Ciesar All-Americans (NBL)

Originally listed as Art Bowman, a Hammond team photo I found listed him as "Wink" Bowman. Using the name Wink, I quickly found Wendell C. "Wink" Bowman from Monticello, IN. His obituary said he went to St Joseph's (like the newspaper article about the basketball player named "Wink") and his obituary in the Rensselaer Republican said he played professional basketball. Another mystery player identified.

Born to Harold ("Chip") and Ada Bowman, Wink went from Remington HS to Butler University to St Joseph's. He played pro basketball briefly before entering the Army Air Corp. He attained the rank of captain while serving in the European Theater, decorated with the Air Medal with four Clusters, European Theater Ribbon with four Oak Leaf Clusters, American Theater Ribbon, Pre-Pearl Harbor Ribbon.

Upon returning to the States, he graduated from Terre Haute Watchmaking School and operated Bowman's Jewelry in Remington for 26 years, and then worked for the Indiana State Highway Department.

He married Florence Talley on May 24, 1942, and they had two sons.

Source:
http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi/%25253C/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=63462291

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/b/bowmaar01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=bowmaar01

Fred Beretta

Fernando Frederick "Fred" Beretta


Born:
January 24, 1917
Proctor, VT 

Died:
November 17, 1962
Indianapolis, IN


Career
1933-34 Bedford High School - Indiana (High School)
1934-35 Bedford High School - Indiana (High School)
1935-36 Bedford High School - Indiana (High School)
1937-38 Purdue University (College)
1938-39 Purdue University (College)
1939-40 Purdue University (College)
1940-41 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)


He served in the U.S. Army during World War 2.
He married Helen Pattison (1917-2008) on October 2, 1948. They had two daughters, Susan Clark and Diane Conley.

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/b/beretfr01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=beretfr01

Al Benson

Albert L.(?) Benson


Born:

 

Died:




Career
(High School)
Seton Hall ?? (College)
1933-34 New York Nationals (Independent)
1934-35 Jersey Reds (ABL)
1934-35 Albany (NYSL)
1934-35 Atlantic City (EBL)
1935-36 Jersey Reds (ABL)
1936-37 Jersey Reds (ABL)
1937-38 Jersey Reds (ABL)
1937-38 Myerstown Memorials (TCL)
1938-39 Jersey Reds (ABL)
1939-40 Jersey Reds (ABL)
1939-40 New York Jewels (ABL)
1940-41 New York Jewels (ABL)
1940-41 Hammond Ciesar All-Americans (NBL)
1940-41 Detroit Eagles (NBL)
1941-42 New York Jewels (ABL)
1941-42 Kingston Recreations (NYSL)
1941-42 Wilmington Blue Bombers (ABL)
1941-42 Washington Brewers (ABL)
1945-46 Baltimore Bullets (ABL)
1945-46 Pittston (Independent)
1946-47 Nanticoke (Independent)
1946-47 Newark Bobcats (ABL)
1946-47 Troy Celtics (ABL)
1946-47 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1947-48 Paterson (Independent)
1947-48 Glen Falls Commodores (NYSL)
1947-48 Paterson Crescents (ABL) ???
1949-50 Schenectady Packers (ABL) ???

Purchased by Troy from the Newark Bobcats, December 19, 1946

Served in the U.S. Army for World War 2, discharged in March of 1946.

Benson had a long-running feud with Bernie Fliegel, having had at least three fistfights on the court.

Not Albert Lenoard Benson (Born 2/2/1914. too short):


There was an Al Benson who was a sheriff's deputy in Binghamton NY and a former boxer. His real name was Edgar Pabalis, but he is only listed at 6' 3/4" so he wasn't as tall as the basketball plaeyr.

Source:
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, November 7, 1940
Troy Record, December 19, 1946
Knigston Daily Freeman, December 11, 1946

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/b/bensoal01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=bensoal01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/al-benson/

Fred Arndt Identified

In a previous blog entry, I profiled Whiting Ciesars player Fred Arndt, of whom I had only a few hints but no positive ID. Yesterday I was able to confirm who he was. See the link to his updated page

While searching for another player, I found an article that mentioned Arndt playing for the Hammond Optimists. This little clue gave me the incentive to dig deeper. From the Hammond Times, June 12, 1939, I found a wedding announcement for the afore-mentioned Mary Ellen Bussell and Fred. The article refers to the bridegroom as being "known for his athletic ability" at Hammond High School and he went to Purdue. At the time of the marriage, he was working at Inland Steel. This essentially confirms that we have the correct Fred Arndt.


Fred Arndt 
1917-2002

Bill Behr

William Leon Behr


Born:
July 7, 1919
Frankfort, IN

Died:
August 6, 1997
Lebanon, IN


Career
1937-38 Frankfort High School - Indiana (High School)
1940-41 Hammond Ciesar All-Americans (NBL)
1941-42 Frankfort Nickel Plater (Independent)
1946-47 Frankfort Legionaires (Independent)


The youngest of eight children born to Edward (1879-1963) and Clidie (1886-1953) Behr. He played on season for Hammond before entering military service. He served in the U.S. Army during World War 2. His oldest brother Grover played basketball at Franklin College.
Behr married Vivian Lunsford (1919-1971) in 1944 and they had two sons, Robert and Edward, and two daughters, Vicki Robley and Pamela Day. Vivian was killed in a house fire in 1971. Behr later remarried, tying the knot with Rosemary Cosgrove Sims (1921-2008).

1920 Census record
Grave

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/b/behrbi01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=behrbi01

Herb Ball

Herbert Edward Ball


Born:
July 27, 1918
Chicago, IL 

Died:
April 18, 2000
Titusville, FL


Career
Lindbloom High School - Chicago (High School)
1935-36 Woodrow Wilson JC - Chicago (College)
1936-37 Woodrow Wilson JC - Chicago (College) 
1938-39 Western Kentucky University (College)
1939-40 Western Kentucky University (College)
1940-41 Pottstown All-Americans (Independent)
1940-41 Chicago Bruins (NBL)
1943-44 Chicago American Gears (Independent)


Herbert Ball was born in Chicago to Charles and Martha Ball. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War 2.
He married Annie Brockett (1917-2001) on July 12, 1948, and they had a son, Terry (dec.) and a daughter, Patricia (1944-45)

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/b/ballhe01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=ballhe01

Art Anderson

Arthur Torrell Anderson



Born:
July 1, 1916
Chicago, IL

Died:
April 4, 1983
Cleveland, OH


Career

1935-36 Augustana College - Illinois (College)
1936-37 Augustana College - Illinois (College)
1937-38 Augustana College - Illinois (College)
1938-39 Augustana College - Illinois (College)
1939-40 Chicago LaSalle Hotel (AAU)
1939-40 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (Independent)
1940-41 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (NBL)

How many Art Andersons are there? Lots. Where to begin? Augustana College.
Augustana Hall of Fame
Here we get his middle initial. I then searched and found this obituary
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/azcentral/obituary.aspx?n=Donald-Torrell-Anderson&pid=152817690
Looks like Art's son. Geographically matches, went to same school as his dad, gives us his mother's name, too.
http://www.augustana.edu/x36476.xml
This takes to findagrave, where we found both Mr and Mrs. Anderson's grave. Bingo. Another player identified.
Grave

Born in Chicago in 1916, Art's father Carl (1887-1918) died when Art was two years old. Raised by his mother, Lillian Peterson (1892-1977), Art became a basketball star at small Augustana College, where he graduated with the school record for point scored. He moved to Ohio and worked for Goodyear, playing basketball there for two seasons.
He married Elanor Bergendahl (1920-2005) on December 26, 1942 and they had two sons, Donald (1944-2011) and Kurt. He served in the military during World War 2.

Eleanor's Obituary




Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/a/anderar01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=anderar01

Ralph Amsden

Ralph Osburn Amsden, Jr.


Born:
January 1, 1917
Chicago, IL

Died:
November 2, 1988
Pontiac, MI


Career
Oak Park High School - Illinois (High School)
1937-38 Marquette University (College)
1938-39 Marquette University (College)
1939-40 Marquette University (College)
1940-41 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1941-42 Sheboygan Redskins (Independent)


Amsden was born in Chicago to Ralph and Edith (1895-1983) Amsden. 1940 Census records seem to indicate the family moved to Ohio, but Amsden stayed behind to finish school. He played at Marquette before playing one season for Sheboygan. Not sure what happened to him between that and his death in 1988.

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/a/amsdera01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=amsdera01

John Ahearn

John F. "Jake" "Jack" Ahearn, Jr.


Born:
January 6, 1918
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
February 17, 1968
Farmingdale, NY



Career
1939-40 St. John's University (College)
1940-41 Brooklyn Dodgers (Independent)
1940-41 Detroit Eagles (NBL)
1941-42 Saratoga (NYSL)
1941-42 Detroit Eagles (Independent)
1943-44 Wilmington Blue Bombers (ABL)
1945-46 Baltimore Bullets (ABL)
1946-47 Baltimore Bullets (ABL)

1948-49 York A.C. (EPBL)  

His name is listed on other sites spelled "Ahern" but newspaper articles and St John's University spells it "Ahearn," which might be part of the initial research problems.

Born to John Ahearn (1894-1952). Ahearn is the cousin of fellow St. John's and NBL player Jerry Bush.

He went to St John's, but according to a Brooklyn Eagle article, it sounds like Ahearn only lasted one year there due to performance and attitude. This seems to be confirmed by St John's lettermen records. He joined the Detroit Eagles in 1940, and later played basketball for the Army during World War 2, stationed at Lincoln (Neb) airfield. He joined the Wilmington Blue Bombers for their ABL Championship series in March of 1944, and after the war played a couple seasons with the Baltimore Bullets.

Ahearn was working in the accounting department at Newsweek Magazine at the time of his death.

He was married to Mildred (1917-1997).



Source:
Brooklyn Eagle, February 9, 1940
Brooklyn Eagle, March 6, 1952
The Tennessean (Nashville), February 20, 1968
Grave

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/a/ahearjo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=ahearja01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/jake-ahearn/

1940-41 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)

1940-41 SHEBOYGAN REDSKINS
NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Finished: 13-11 .542, tied for 2nd place

Semifinals - Defeated Detroit, 2-1
NBL Championship - Lost to Oshkosh, 3-0

• Head Coach: Frank Zummach (January 28, 1911 – April 30, 2012)

PLAYERS:

• Ralph Amsden (January 1, 1917 - November 2, 1988)

Biography

• Ed Dancker (March 14, 1914  - October 3, 1991)

Biography

• Dick Evans (May 31, 1915 - May 26, 2008)

Biography

• George Hesik (June 15, 1913 - April 18, 1994)

Biography

• Otto Kolar (December 6, 1911 - April 10, 1995)

Biography

• Reuben Lautenschlager (September 7, 1915 - January 5, 1992)

Biography

• Bill McDonald  (November 5, 1916 - February 7, 1994)

Biography

• David Quabius (March 16, 1916 - June 19, 1983)

Biography

• Paul Sokody (August 18, 1914 - May 12, 1992)

Biography

• Ken Suesens (October 23, 1916 - May 29, 1992)

Biography