1944-45 Chicago American Gears (NBL)

1944-45 CHICAGO AMERICAN GEARS
NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Western Division 
Finished: 14-16 .467, 2nd place

Western Division Playoff - Lost to Sheboygan, 2-1

• Head coach: Jack Tierney (November 14, 1900 - ??)

John L. "Jack" Tierney was a former pro player for the Chicago Bruins in the ABL and was coaching basketball around the Chicago area when we brought on to coach the Bruins in 1941-42. He returned to lead the Gears in 1944.
 
PLAYERS:

• Bill Ash 

Biography

• Connie Berry (April 19, 1915 - June 24, 1980)

Biography

• Elmer Gainer (November 22, 1918 - September 29, 1970)

Biography

• Nick Hashu (February 1, 1917 - April 28, 2012)

Biography

• Ray Krzoska (October 28, 1918 - April 5, 2006)

Biography

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

Biography
 

• Vince McGowan (August 13, 1913 - April 4, 1982)

Biography

• John Orr (June 4, 1918 - July 12, 1982)

Biography

• Frank Otway (March 1, 1923 - April 21, 2022)

Biography

• Stan Patrick (May 5, 1922 - January 1, 2000)

Biography

• Swede Roos (August 8, 1913 - January 30, 1979)

Biography

• Ed Scheiwe (February 25, 1918 - June 19, 1997)

Biography

• Joe Stampf (December 16, 1919 - April 20, 1985)

Biography

• Chet Strumillo (May 28, 1924 - July 27, 2010)

Biography

• John Styler (October 19, 1923 - February 19, 1999)  

Biography

• Dick Triptow (November 3, 1922 - February 20, 2015)

Biography