Chink Crossin

Francis Patrick "Chink" Crossin, Jr.


Born:
July 4, 1923
Luzerne, PA

Died:
January 10, 1981
Danville, PA


Career
1938-39 Luzerne High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1939-40 Luzerne High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1940-41 Luzerne High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1942-43 University of Pennsylvania (College)
1943-44 University of Pennsylvania (College)
1946-47 University of Pennsylvania (College)
1947-48 Philadelphia Warriors (BAA)
1948-49 Philadelphia Warriors (BAA)
1949-50 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1950-51 Pottsville Packers (EPBL) Head coach / player

1950-51 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1951-52 Pottsville Packers (EPBL) Head coach / player
1952-53 Williamsport Billies (EPBL)

1953-54 Williamsport Billies (EPBL) Head coach / player

1953-54 Berwick Car-Builders (EPBL)  

Born in Luzerne to Frank and Mary Crossin. Some places say he is born in 1924. I am going with his military records for correct information, as well as the Philly Inquirer which backs up the 1923 birth year. While at Luzerne HS, Chink once scored 50 points in a 32-minute game. He moved on on to Penn where he was named all-American until he entered the Navy, serving in the Pacific theater. He returned to Penn after the war and after graduating, signed with the Warriors. After, he went to Wilkes-Barre to play for the Barons, but in December of 1950 he quit the Barons over a salary dispute. He signed on to play with Pottsville in the Eastern League. Rumored to be heading to Allentown, he would eventually settle his disagreements with the Barons' ownership and returned to the Barons on December 23. The following season, he would return to being a player as well as head coach and played two more season in the Eastern League.

He turned to politics, serving in the State of Pennsylvania's House of Representatives and later as Luzerne County Commissioner. He died in 1981 following a bout with pneumonia.

Chink's brother John (1927-2005) also played pro basketball, with Williamsport in the EBL, after starring at Villanova.

He married Helen Gutchmonski (1924-2007) and they had three sons and two daughters.

Source:
Danville Morning News, Marsch 24, 1941
Wilkes-Barre Time Leader, March 17, 1947
Philadelphia Inquirer, July 3, 1947
The News Journal (Wilmington), December 1, 1950
Philadelphia Inquirer, January 11, 1981
Baltimore Sun, January 11, 1981


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/crossch01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=crossch01