Gene Vance

Ellis Eugene "Gene" Vance


Born:
February 25, 1923
Peru, IL

Died:
February 16, 2012
Champaign, IL


Career
1938-39 Clinton High School - Illinois (High School)
1939-40 Clinton High School - Illinois (High School)
1940-41 University of Illinois (College) Freshmen
1941-42 University of Illinois (College)
1942-43 University of Illinois (College)
1946-47 University of Illinois (College)
1947-48 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1948-49 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1949-50 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBA)
1950-51 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBA)
1951-52 Milwaukee Hawks (NBA)
1952-53 LaSalle-Peru - Illinois (High School) Head coach
1953-54 LaSalle-Peru - Illinois (High School) Head coach
1954-55 LaSalle-Peru - Illinois (High School) Head coach
1955-56 LaSalle-Peru - Illinois (High School) Head coach

From Clinton, Illinois, Vance was a member of the Illini's "Whiz Kids" in the early 40's. Like his teammates, he left college to serve in the Army during World War 2, and then returned to Illinois after the war. He played pro ball for Chicago, Milwaukee and Tri-Cities, with some time off to serve his country in Korea. He retired to coach high school basketball at LaSalle-Peru High School. He quit in 1956 to work an administrative job for the Illini's alumni organization and later wound up their Athletic Director.

Vance married Grace Hoberg (d. 1980) in 1943. They had two boys and two girls.

Source:
News Gazette, March 20, 2012
Grave and Biography

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/v/vancege01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=vancege01