Louis H. SpindellBorn:
December 16, 1908
New York, NY
Died:
December 3, 1997
Career
1927-28 CCNY (College)
1928-29 CCNY (College)
1929-30 CCNY (College)
1930-31 Cleveland Rosenblums (ABL)
1930-31 Toledo Red Men (ABL)
1931-32 Union City Reds (MBL)
1931-32 Philadelphia Moose (EBL)
1931-32 Brooklyn Americans (Independent)
1932-33 Yonkers Knights (BL) Head coach / player
1932-33 Jersey City Palace Diamonds (BL)
1932-33 Brooklyn Visitations (BL)
1932-33 Philadelphia Moose (EBL)
1932-33 Trenton Bengals (EBL)
1933-34 Trenton Moose (ABL)
1933-34 Dunmore (PSL)
1934-35 Newark/New Britain Mules (ABL)
1934-35 Nanticoke (PSL)
1935-36 Nanticoke-Tunkhannock-Freeland (PSL)
1936-37 New York Whirlwinds (Independent)
1937-38 New Haven / New York Jewels (ABL)
1937-38 Tunkhannock-Pittston (NYPA)
1938-39 New York Jewels (ABL)
1938-39 Teacher's Union - New York (Independent)
1939-40 New York Jewels (ABL)
1944-45 New York Westchesters (ABL)
A skilled player both offensively and defensively, Spindell enjoyed a rather long professional basketball career after starring at CCNY. He would also work as a physical education instructor for students for many years. He served in the U.S. Army during World War 2.
He wound up as a phys ed teacher at Straubenmuller Textile High School in New York City. In 1952, he was accused to being a member of the Communist party. When directly asked by the Senate subcommittee, he invoked his Fifth Amendment rights and refused to answer. Spindell, along with 6 other teachers, was fired shortly thereafter.
He married Lora Hays (1910-2009) in 1948.
Source:
Jews In Sports
Indianapolis Star, September 11, 1952
Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, September 11, 1953
Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/lou-spindell/
Mr. Spindell was my first basketball coach, at the Highland School of Jamaica Estates, NY. He came to Highland in 1961, and left in 1962. He was immensely knowledgeable, and got a lot out of the team. He did want us all to learn how to shoot running one handers and two hand set shots. As the last guy on the bench, I made it my business to oblige. He was crusty and funny. The seniors called him Pops. Although hobbled by a bad knee, he could still play. We liked him, and I'm quite certain he liked us too. He returned to Highland in 1965, after I graduated. I don't know how long he stayed.
ReplyDeleteI played for Mr. Spindell at the Highland School in the 1962-1963 season. I loved Pops. He was at City the same years as my father. It was an honor to play under him
ReplyDeleteI played colege ball at Adelphi, he came to many of my games. Just loved him
Is that you, Bill Berkowitz?
DeleteYes
ReplyDeleteI thought it had to be you. How are you? I hope that you and yours are well in these crazy times. Pops was a really good guy. If he had been around my senior year, we would have been champions. We had a football guy from Miami of Ohio. We lost two league games that season, by one point each. We blew a 13 point lead in the 4th quarter of the deciding game. That would not have happened with Pops coaching.
ReplyDelete