Stan Stutz

Stanley J. Stutz
born Stanley Modzelewski


Born:
April 14, 1920
Worcester, MA

Died:
October 28, 1975
New Rochelle, NY


Career
1935-36 Worcester Classical - Massachusetts (High School)
1936-37 Worcester Classical - Massachusetts (High School)
1937-38 Worcester Classical - Massachusetts (High School)
1938-39 University of Rhode Island (College) Freshmen
1939-40 University of Rhode Island (College)
1940-41 University of Rhode Island (College)
1941-42 University of Rhode Island (College)
1941-42 New London Diesels (CSL)
1942-43 Bath Ironworks - Massachusetts (Independent)
1943-44 Rhode Island Americans (Independent)
1943-44 New York Americans (ABL)
1944-45 Baltimore Bullets (ABL)
1945-46 Baltimore Bullets (ABL)
1946-47 New York Knicks (BAA)
1947-48 New York Knicks (BAA)
1948-49 Baltimore Bullets (BAA)
1961-62 Washington / New York Tapers (ABL)

Born Stanley Modzelewski in Worcester, Stan was so enamored with the automobile by Stutz called the "Bearcat" that he was called Stutz Modzelewski. Later, in order to simplify his name, he decided to take "Stutz" as his new surname and changed it legally. While at URI, he scored over 1700 points in his career, setting the collegiate scoring record. He then played some independent pro basketball before landing in the ABL. Known for his smooth running one-hand shot, Stutz was one of the more prolific scorers of his time, and took his act to the BAA and the Knicks, before returning to the Bullets for one last season in 1948-49.

Stutz quit playing in 1949, but in 1950 returned to the court as a referee in the NBA, staying until 1959. He went into the corporate world, becoming a vice-president at Tucl Cellophane Tape in New York City.

In October of 1975, Stutz suffered a heart attack while golfing. He died later that day at the hospital. He was 55.

Stutz was married and had two sons and a daughter.

Source:
Odessa American, January 6, 1959
Newport (RI) Daily News, August 11, 1959
Detroit Free Press, February 21, 1967
The Tennessean, October 31, 1975
Balitmore Sun, November 8, 1975

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/stutzst01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=stutzst01