Vic Yanz

Victor E. Yanz
born Nugaletojas Yozonaitis (Yanzanitis)


Born:
July 18, 1913
Chicago, IL

Died:
April 21, 2003
Chicago, IL


Career
Massachusetts State (College) ??
1936-37 Chicago Duffy Florals (MBC)
1936-37 Chicago Majors (Independent)


Update 12/20/18

Originally listed as "Vic Yanze," I couldn't find anything except a reference to playing basketball at Massachusetts State College. And then nothing else. Nothing in Ancestry.com, either.... until today when I revisited him and tried again. This time, I found a reference to "Vic Yanz." No "E" at the end of his name, so that lead me onto a new direction. I found an obituary for "Vic Yanz" in the Chicago Tribune, which lead me back to Ancestry and his widow in the obit. I found that "Yanz" was shortened from Yozonaitis (or Yanzanaitis). Feeling confident, I got confirmation from a family member the this "Vic Yanz" did indeed play basketball, with a Lithuanian team around Chicago in the 30's. We found our guy. Not sure if he ever really did play at UMass or if it is just a mistake in the Sheboygan Press article.


Born to Stanislovas and Ona Yozonaitis, Yanz worked for the Chicago Police Department for over 30 years. He married Viola Letz in 1940 and they had 5 children.


Source:
Sheboygan Press, February 2, 1937
Chicago Tribune, April 22, 2003


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/vic-yanze/