Charlie Molnor

Charles Molnor, Jr.


Born:
December 6, 1925
Chicago, IL

Died:
July 21, 2002
Schiller Park, IL


Career
1942-43 Lindblom Technical High School - Chicago (High School)
1943-44 Lindblom Technical High School - Chicago (High School)
Los Angeles CC (College) ??
1947-48 Chicago Gears (PBLA)

Born to Slovakian immigrants Charles and Theresa Molnor, Charlie went to Lindblom Tech in Chicago and then served in the Army during World War 2. May have attended Los Angeles CC before returning home to Chicago from the War.

He married Anne Mirusky and they had a son and a daughter.

Source:


Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=molnech01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/charlie-molnor/

1947-48 Chicago Gears (PBLA)

1947-48 CHICAGO GEARS
PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE OF AMERICA
Northern Division
Finished: 8-0 1.000, 1st place

• Head Coach: Bobby McDermott  (January 7, 1914 - October 14, 1963) also played. See below

PLAYERS:

• Bob Calihan (August 2, 1918 - September 22, 1989)

Biography

• Pete Fogo (October 14, 1921 - April 1, 1999)

Biography

• Billy Hassett (October 21, 1921 - November 18, 1992)

Biography

• Bobby McDermott (January 7, 1914 - October 14, 1963)

Biography

• George Mikan (June 18, 1924 - June 1, 2005)

Biography

• Charlie Molner (December 6, 1925 - July 21, 2002)

Biography 

• Fritz Nagy (January 3, 1924 - June 5, 1989)

Biography

• Stan Patrick (May 5, 1922 - January 1, 2000)

Biography

• Dick Triptow (November 3, 1922 - February 20, 2015)

Biography 

Art Stoefen

Arthur Oscar Stoefen


Born:
August 29, 1914
Davenport, IA

Died:
January 7, 1995
Bend, OR


Career
1933-34 Los Angeles JC (College)
1935-36 Stanford University (College)
1936-37 Stanford University (College)
1937-38 Stanford University (College)
1938-39 Chicago Cavaliers (AAU)
1939-40 Chicago Cavaliers (AAU)
1941-42 Phillips Oil - California (Semi-pro)
1944-45 Fuller 49ers - California (AAU)
1945-46 Los Angeles Shamrocks (ABL/AAU)
1946-47 Los Angeles Red Devils (Independent)
1946-47 Chicago American Gears (NBL)

Born to William and Katheren Stoefen in Davenport, Iowa. The family moved to California when he was young. He and his cousin (not brother) Les were both decent tennis players, as well as Art's skills on the basketball court.

Source:
Oakland Tribune, January 16, 1936
Fresno Bee Republican, February 28, 1942
Fresno Bee, January 12, 1945



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/stoefar01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=stoefar01

Les Rothman

Lester B. "Pickles" Rothman


Born:
August 12, 1926
New York, NY

Died:
July 27, 2022



Career
1940-41 Stuyvesant High School - New York City (High School)
1941-42 Stuyvesant High School - New York City (High School)
1942-43 Stuyvesant High School - New York City (High School)
1943-44 Long Island University (College)
1944-45 Long Island University (College)
1945-46 Long Island University (College)
1945-46 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1946-47 Elizabeth Braves (ABL)
1946-47 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1946-47 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1946-47 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)


Born to Solomon and Anna Rothman, Les was a fantastic athlete out of New York City. He played minor league baseball during his college years, which eventually caused him to declared ineligible for LIU's basketball team. It was not an uncommon practice, but most players would not use their real names when playing baseball, which was not the case with Rothman.

Following his professional athletic careers, Rothman was a principal in the NYV School System and Director of Camp Louemma and Camp Willoway.

Minor League Baseball stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=rothma001les



Source:
Jews In Sports

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/r/rothmle01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=rothmle01

Irv Noren

Irving Arnold Noren


Born:
November 29, 1924
Jamestown, NY

Died:
November 15, 2019
Oceanside, CA


Career
Pasadena High School - California (High School)
1945-46 Pasadena JC - California (College)
1946-47 L.A. Red Devils (professional)
1946-47 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1947-48 L.A. Red Devils (professional)

Irv Noren would make his name on the baseball diamond, playing MLB for 11 seasons, being named to the AL All-Star team in 1954 and playing in three World Series for the Yankees.

Born in New York, his family moved to California when Irv was 11 years old. He played basketball and baseball at Pasadena HS and at the local junior college before signing a contract with the baseball team in Santa Barbera. He moved through the Texas League and the PCL on his way to the major leagues, putting in some time with the Gears of the NBL in the off-season.

Major League Baseball stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/norenir01.shtml

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/n/norenir01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=norenir01

Max Morris

Glen Max Morris


Born:
March 14, 1925
Norris City, IL

Died:
January 8, 1998
Reno, NV


Career
1940-41 Frankfort High School - West Frankfort, Illinois (High School)
1941-42 Frankfort High School - West Frankfort, Illinois (High School)
1942-43 Frankfort High School - West Frankfort, Illinois (High School)
1943-44 Northwestern University (College)
1944-45 Northwestern University (College)
1945-46 Northwestern University (College)
1946-47 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1947-48 Chicago Gears (PBA) - Injured and did not play
1947-48 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1948-49 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1949-50 Sheboygan Redskins (NBA)
1950-51 Sheboygan Redskins (NPBL)

Born to Oscar and Neta Morris, Max was an All-American in both football and basketball at Northwestern. Aside from five seasons of professional basketball, he also played three seasons of pro football in the AAFC. He first enrolled in the University of Illinois but transferred to NU.


AAFC Stats:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MorrMa20.htm


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/morrigl01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/morrima01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=morrima01

George Mikan

George Lawrence Mikan, Jr.


Born:
June 18, 1924
Joliet, IL

Died:
June 1, 2005
Scottsdale, AZ




Career
1939-40 Joliet Catholic High School - Illinois (High School)
1940-41 Joliet Catholic High School - Illinois (High School)
1941-42 Joliet Catholic High School - Illinois (High School)
1942-43 DePaul University (College) Freshmen
1943-44 DePaul University (College)
1944-45 DePaul University (College)
1945-46 DePaul University (College)
1946-47 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1947-48 Chicago Gears (PBLA)
1947-48 Minneapolis Lakers (NBL)
1948-49 Minneapolis Lakers (BAA)
1949-50 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1950-51 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1951-52 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1952-53 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1953-54 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1955-56 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1957-58 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)  - Head coach

NATIONAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME, 1959

One of the first superstars of the sport, Mikan had shattered his knee as a kid that left him bedridden for almost a year. Despite his lankiness (6'10 250 lbs) and near-sightedness, Mikan left Quigley Prep Seminary to finish high school at Joliet Catholic, and moved on to DePaul where he was a two-time player of the year. Mikan became the first player to really prove that people of his height could be coordinated enough to be an effective basketball player. The modern game's goaltending rule exists solely from Mikan, who deflected many an oppnent's shot as it approached the rim.
After college, Mikan joined with the American Gears, and followed them into the PBLA the next season, but once the Gears (and the PBLA) folded early into the league's inaugural season, and Mikan was handed over the Lakers, where he played until his retirement after the 1953-54 season.
After a season hiatus, Mikan returned for one more season before quitting playing for good. He ran for the U.S. Senate in 1956, and after losing a close race, returned to the NBA to coach the Lakers. Minneapolis went 9-30 under Mikan before stepping down. Done with basketball, he went on to practice law and work in real estate until he a decade later, when became the first commissioner of the ABA.
Mikan fought hard for many years to get pensions for retired players. Saddled with kidney problems and diabetes, his illnesses took his leg, and eventually his life. He died in 2005.

He was married to Patricia and had six kids: sons Larry (George Lawrence Mikan III), Terry, Patrick and Michael, and daughters Trisha and Maureen.

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/mikange01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mikange01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mikange01

Weyman Cotton

Robert Weyman Cotton


Born:
December 29, 1920
Grimes, County, TX

Died:
March 10, 1999
Wichita Falls, TX


Career
1940-41 Texas Wesleyan (College)
1941-42 Texas Wesleyan (College)
1942-43 Texas Wesleyan (College)
1943-44 Aberdeen Proving Ground (Military)
1944-45 Baltimore Bullets (ABL)
1946-47 L.A. Red Devils (Independent)
1946-47 Bellingham Fircrests (PCL)

1946-47 Spokane Orphans (PCBL)  
1946-47 Chicago American Gears (NBL)

Born in Texas to Rush and Joyce Cotton. The 6'7 giant from Texas was a force with the successful Wesleyan teams. He served in the army during World War 2. After the war, he played with future baseball stars Jackie Robinson, Irv Noren and George Crowe for the integrated L.A. Devils. He briefly played for the Gears in the NBL.

He is commonly referred to "Weyman" in a lot of news articles, moreso than "Bob."

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/c/cottobo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=cottobo01

Price Brookfield

Emery Price Brookfield


Born:
May 11, 1920
Floydada, TX

Died:
April 17, 2006
Pinehurst, NC


Career
Friona High School - Texas (High School)
1939-40 West Texas State (College)
1940-41 West Texas State (College)
1941-42 West Texas State (College)
1942-43 Rochester (Independent)
1943-44 Iowa State University (College)
1945-46 Baltimore Bullets (ABL)
1946-47 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1947-48 Anderson Duffey Packers (NBL)
1947-48 Waterloo Pro-Hawks (PBLA)
1948-49 Indianapolis Jets (BAA)
1949-50 Rochester Royals (NBA)
1950-51 Grand Rapids Hornets (NPBL)
1953-54 Muncie Brammers (Indiana Pro Basketball Assoc)
Hancock Central High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
Lapel High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach

Price has born and raised in Texas. After college (where he lead the country in scoring), he enlisted in the Navy. Iowa State had a Naval program, and Naval cadets could train under ISU’s V-5 and V-12 engineering program and under these circumstances, Brookfield was permitted to compete in athletics despite having already used up his normal eligibility while at West Texas State. He also played minor league baseball. He spent 25 years as a coach and teacher in Indiana before retiring to North Carolina.

He was married to Marylou for nearly 60 years, and they had a daughter, Barbara, and two sons; Bill and John.

Source:
Iowa State

Minor League Baseball Stats
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=brookf001eme

Obituary


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/b/brookem01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/brookpr01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=brookpr01

1946-47 Chicago American Gears (NBL)

1946-47 CHICAGO AMERICAN GEARS
NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Western Division
Finished: 26-18 .591, 3rd place

First Round of the playoffs - Defeated Indianapolis, 3-2
Western Division Champions - Defeated Oshkosh, 2-0 
NBL CHAMPIONS - Defeated Rochester, 3-1

• Head Coaches:  

Davey "Pretzel" Banks  (c. 1901-August 24, 1952 )        
Harry Foote (with Bruce Hale) 
Bobby McDermott (January 7, 1914 - October 14, 1963) 

Hale and McDermott also played (see below)

A coaching carousel for the eventual champions. Former New York Celtic player Davey Banks was hired November 20. The team was already one game in, and according to most records, Harry Foote coached the first game. Banks was fired (or fired himself, as stated in news reports) after George Mikan left the team because of a contract dispute. Harry Foote, the Gears' general manager, offically took over as head coach on December 13, but Bruce Hale and assistant coach Swede Roos did most of the actually coaching. Eventually the Gears signed Bobby McDermott on January 3, 1947, who had been released from Fort Wayne, and gave him the reigns.

PLAYERS:

• Price Brookfield (May 11, 1920 - April 17, 2006)

Biography

• Bob Calihan (August 2, 1918 - September 22, 1989)

Biography

• Weyman Cotton (December 29, 1920 - March 10, 1999)

Biography

• Bruce Hale (August 30, 1918 - December 31, 1980)

Biography

• Bobby McDermott (January 7, 1914 - October 14, 1963)

Biography

• Bill McDonald  (November 5, 1916 - February 7, 1994)

Biography

• George Mikan (June 18, 1924 - June 1, 2005)

Biography

• Max Morris (March 14, 1925 - January 8, 1998)

Biography

• Irv Noren (November 29, 1924 - November 15, 2019)

Biography

• Stan Patrick (May 5, 1922 - January 1, 2000)

Biography

• George Ratkovicz (November 13, 1922 - November 10, 2007)

Biography

• Les Rothman (August 12, 1926 - July 27, 2022)

Biography

• Art Stoefen (August 29, 1914 - January 7, 1995)

Biography

• Bob Synnott (September 27, 1912 - November 19, 1985)

Biography

• Stan Szukala (June 12, 1918 - August 30, 2003)

Biography

• Dick Triptow (November 3, 1922 - February 20, 2015)

Biography

Rob Rensberger

Robert Lamar Rensberger


Born:
March 7, 1921
Nappanee, IN

Died:
September 6, 2007
Bremen, IN


Career
1936-37 Nappanee High School - Indiana (High School)
1937-38 Nappanee High School - Indiana (High School)
1938-39 Nappanee High School - Indiana (High School)
1940-41 University of Notre Dame (College)
1941-42 University of Notre Dame (College)
1942-43 University of Notre Dame (College)
1945-46 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1946-47 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1947-48 Beloit High School - Wisconsin - Head Coach 
1948-49 Beloit High School - Wisconsin - Head Coach 
1949-50 Beloit High School - Wisconsin - Head Coach 
1950-51 Beloit High School - Wisconsin - Head Coach
1951-52 Beloit High School - Wisconsin - Head Coach  
1952-53 Jefferson Junior High School - South Bend, Indiana (Jr. High School) - coach
1953-54 Adams High School - South Bend, Indiana (High School) - Assistant coach
1954-55 Adams High School - South Bend, Indiana (High School) - Assistant coach
1955-56 Adams High School - South Bend, Indiana (High School) - Assistant coach
1956-57 Adams High School - South Bend, Indiana (High School) - Assistant coach
1957-58 Adams High School - South Bend, Indiana (High School) - Assistant coach
1958-59 Adams High School - South Bend, Indiana (High School) - Assistant coach
1959-60 Adams High School - South Bend, Indiana (High School) - Assistant coach
1960-61 Adams High School - South Bend, Indiana (High School) - Assistant coach
1961-62 Adams High School - South Bend, Indiana (High School) - Assistant coach
1962-63 Adams High School - South Bend, Indiana (High School) - Assistant coach
1963-64 Adams High School - South Bend, Indiana (High School) - Assistant coach
1964-65 Adams High School - South Bend, Indiana (High School) - Assistant coach
1965-66 LaSalle High School - South Bend, Indiana (High School) - Head coach

1966-67 LaSalle High School - South Bend, Indiana (High School) - Head coach
1967-68 LaSalle High School - South Bend, Indiana (High School) - Head coach
1968-69 LaSalle High School - South Bend, Indiana (High School) - Head coach
1969-70 LaSalle High School - South Bend, Indiana (High School) - Head coach 


Born in Nappanee, Indiana, to Kenton and Alberta Rensberger. After attending Notre Dame, he entered the army to fight in World War 2. He saw action in the Ardennes and on the beaches of Normandy. After briefly playing basketall professionally, he went into teaching and coaching. He retired from South Bend Community Schools in 1981.

He married Carolyn Gentzhorn on February 3, 1946. They had a daughter and two sons; Cindy, Terry and Jeff.



Source:
Obituary, South Bend Tribune
Elkhart County HOF
Milwuakee Sentinetl, April 9, 1947


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/r/rensbro01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rensbro01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=rensbro01

Bud O'Rourke

Carter John "Bud" O'Rourke, Jr.


Born:
January 14, 1919
Chicago, IL

Died:
November 24, 2001
Mundelein, IL


Career

1940-41 DePaul University (College)
1941-42 DePaul University (College)
1942-43 DePaul University (College)
1945-46 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1946-47 Gary Ingots (independent)
1947-48 Grand Rapids Rangers (PBLA)

Born to Carter and Grace O'Rourke.

O'Rourke served in the U.S. Army during World War 2.

Married Phyllis Maloney and they had five children; Peg, Carter, Mary, Patrick and Nancy.

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/o/orourca01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=orourbu01

Jim Olsen

James Olsen, Jr.


Born:
June 2, 1921
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
December 1, 2000
Midland, MI


Career
1936-37 Glenbard West High School - Glen Ellyn, IL (High School)
1937-38 Glenbard West High School - Glen Ellyn, IL (High School)
1938-39 Glenbard West High School - Glen Ellyn, IL (High School)
1940-41 Dartmouth (College)
1941-42 Dartmouth (College)
1942-43 Dartmouth (College)
1945-46 Chicago American Gears (NBL)

Olsen was a three-sport star in high school, playing basketball, football and tennis. From Lombard, IL

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War 2.

His 2005 induction into the Illinois Hall of Fame has his name spelled "Olson"

Update 9/1/2016
Census records from 1930 show a James Olsen living in York, Illinois, which is right next to Lommbard / Glen Ellyn. Born in Brooklyn in 1921. The same Olsen died in Midland, Michigan in 2000. According to his Social Security information, his SSN is from Illinois. I feel pretty good about this being the right guy.



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/o/olsenji01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=olsenji01

Ed Lewinski

Edmund B. "Gooch" Lewinski


Born:
September 10, 1918
Chicago, IL

Died:
April 15, 1962
Chicago, IL


Career
Bowen High School - Chicago (High School)
1939-40 Chicago Lindall Foundry (AAU)
1940-41 Chicago Lindall Foundry (AAU)
1944-45 (Central Pacific Basketball League - Hawaii)
1945-46 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1945-46 Andersopn Chiefs (Independent)
1946-47 Anderson Duffey Packers (NBL)
1946-47 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL)
1947-48 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL)
1948-49 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL)

Born to Walter and Mary Lewinski. He entered the Army and was stationed in the Pacific.

It appears to me that he also played minor league baseball. Geographically and chronologically it matches up. Also similar sized.

He wound up living in LaPorte, Indiana.

Edmund was married to Louise (1918-2006).

Source:
Tuscaloosa News, April 16, 1945

Minor League Baseball Stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=lewins001edm

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/l/lewined01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=lewined01

Dick Klein

Dick Oland Klein


Born:
September 16, 1920
Fort Madison, IA

Died:
October 10, 2000
Greenville, SC


Career
1935-36 Fort Madison High School - Iowa (High School)
1936-37 Fort Madison High School - Iowa (High School)
1937-38 Fort Madison High School - Iowa (High School)
1939-40 Northwestern University (College)
1940-41 Northwestern University (College)
1941-42 Great Lakes (Navy)
1942-43 Great Lakes (Navy)  
1945-46 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1946-47 Gary Ingots (Independent)

Klein played basketball in high school, college, and even briefly professionally, but he is best known for founding and being the first owner of the Chicago Bulls. He sold the team after five seasons, and pursued other interests in South Carolina, where he died in 2000. He also served in the navy during World War 2.

Minor League Baseball Stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=klein-003ric

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/k/kleindi01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=kleindi01

Charlie Butler

Charles Joseph Butler


Born:
August 15, 1920
Chicago, IL

Died:
October 5, 2014
Youngstown, OH


Career
Mt. Carmel - Chicago (High School)
1940-41 Notre Dame (College)
1941-42 Notre Dame (College)
1942-43 Notre Dame (College)
1942-43 Detroit Eagles (Independent) 
1943-44 Chicago Bears (Independent)   
1945-46 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1946-47 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1946-47 Youngstown Bears (NBL)
1947-48 Youngstown Cubs (AABL)
1949-50 Sharon Pioneers (AABL)

Born in Chicago to John and Catherine Fergus Butler.

After graduating from Notre Dame, Butler completed the V7 program at Columbia before heading to the U.S. Navy, serving in the South Pacific. He played for three teams in the NBL before taking a job with Commercial Shearing and Stamping in Youngstown, where he stayed for 35 years until retiring in 1982.

He married Dorothy White (d. 2013) on April 21, 1945 and they had nine children; Kathleen, Charles, Michael, Patricia, John, Thomas, Margaret, Eileen and Mary Kelly.

John and Catherine Fergus Butler

Sources:
Obituary
http://www.vindy.com/news/2010/jul/04/ageless-bear/


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/b/bakerbo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=bakerbo01

1945-46 Chicago American Gears (NBL)

1945-46 CHICAGO AMERICAN GEARS
NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Western Division 
Finished: 17-17 .500, 3rd place

• Head coach: Swede Roos (August 8, 1913 - January 30, 1979)

 
PLAYERS:

• Connie Berry (April 19, 1915 - June 24, 1980)

Biography

• Charlie Butler (August 15, 1920 - October 5, 2014)

Biography

• Bob Calihan (August 2, 1918 - September 22, 1989)

Biography

• Elmer Gainer (November 22, 1918 - September 29, 1970)

Biography

• Bill Hapac (January 26, 1918 - March 9, 1967)

Biography

• Nick Hashu (February 1, 1917 - April 28, 2012)

Biography

• George Hogan (April 12, 1915 - January 19, 1965)

Biography

• Dick Klein (September 16, 1920 - October 10, 2000)

Biography

• Ed Lewinski (September 10, 1918 - April 15, 1962)

Biography

• Bobby Neu (June 28, 1917 - February 7, 1971)

Biography

• Bud O'Rourke (January 14, 1919 - November 24, 2001)

Biography

• Jim Olsen (June 2, 1921 - December 1, 2000) 

Biography

• John Orr (June 4, 1918 - July 12, 1982)

Biography

• Stan Patrick (May 5, 1922 - January 1, 2000)

Biography

• George Ratkovicz (November 13, 1922 - November 10, 2007)

Biography

• Rob Rensberger (March 7, 1921 - September 6, 2007)

Biography

• Stan Szukala (June 12, 1918 - August 30, 2003)

Biography

• Dick Triptow (November 3, 1922 - February 20, 2015)

Biography

Dick Triptow

Richard Floyd Triptow, Jr.


Born:
November 3, 1922
Chicago, IL

Died:
February 20, 2015
Lake Forest, IL



Career
Lane Tech High School - Chicago (High School)
1941-42 DePaul University (College)
1942-43 DePaul University (College)
1943-44 DePaul University (College) 
1944-45 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1945-46 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1946-47 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1947-48 Chicago American Gears (PBLA)
1947-48 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL)
1947-48 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1948-49 Fort Wayne Pistons (BAA)
1949-50 Baltimore Bullets (NBA)
1949-50 Racine Knights (Independent)
1950-51 Racine Knights (Independent)
1950-51 St. Patrick High School - Chicago (High School) Head coach
1951-52 St. Patrick High School - Chicago (High School) Head coach
1952-53 St. Patrick High School - Chicago (High School) Head coach
1953-54 St. Patrick High School - Chicago (High School) Head coach
1954-55 St. Patrick High School - Chicago (High School) Head coach
1955-56 St. Patrick High School - Chicago (High School) Head coach
1956-57 St. Patrick High School - Chicago (High School) Head coach
1957-58 St. Patrick High School - Chicago (High School) Head coach
1958-59 St. Patrick High School - Chicago (High School) Head coach
1959-60 Lake Forest (College) Head Coach
1960-61 Lake Forest (College) Head Coach
1961-62 Lake Forest (College) Head Coach
1962-63 Lake Forest (College) Head Coach
1963-64 Lake Forest (College) Head Coach
1964-65 Lake Forest (College) Head Coach
1965-66 Lake Forest (College) Head Coach
1966-67 Lake Forest (College) Head Coach
1967-68 Lake Forest (College) Head Coach
1968-69 Lake Forest (College) Head Coach
1969-70 Lake Forest (College) Head Coach
1970-71 Lake Forest (College) Head Coach
1971-72 Lake Forest (College) Head Coach
1972-73 Lake Forest (College) Head Coach

Triptow came out of Lane Tech to star at DePaul, playing for Ray Meyer in Meyer's first season at DePaul. He played professional basketball for six seasons. A true Chicagoan, Triptow also played minor league baseball in the Cubs farm system for four seasons. He retired from playing to coach at the high school level for 9 seasons, before coaching at Lake Forest College for 14 years. Dick died in 2015 after a bout with pneumonia at 92 years of age.

He married Helen in 1947 and had two daughters, Donna and Janice.

Sources:
http://www.goforesters.com/releases/20150226triptow
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-richard-triptow-obituary-met-20150306-story.html

Minor League Baseball Stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=tripto001ric

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/t/triptri01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/triptdi01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=scheied01

Bob Synnott

Robert Thomas Synnott


Born:
September 27, 1912
New York, NY

Died:
November 19, 1985
Miami, FL


Career
Theodore Roosevelt High School - Bronx, NY (High School)
1932-33 Bronx (MBL)
1933-34 Bronx Americans (ABL)
1933-34 Union City Reds (ABL)
1934-35 Cagle All-Stars (Independent)
1934-35 Jersey Reds (ABL)
1934-35 Mount Vernon Maroons (Independent)
1935-36 Jersey Reds (ABL)
1935-36 Brooklyn Visitation (ABL)
1935-36 Mount Vernon Maroons (Independent)
1936-37 Original Celtics (Independent)
1936-37 Brooklyn Visitation (ABL)
1936-37 National City Bank (Independent)
1936-37 Tunkhannock (Independent)
1937-38 Brooklyn Visitation (ABL)
1937-38 Tunkhannock (Independent)
1938-39 Brooklyn Visitation (ABL)
1939-40 Baltimore Clippers (ABL)
1939-40 Troy Celtics (ABL)
1939-40 Brooklyn Americans
1939-40 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1939-40 Syracuse Reds (Independent)
1940-41 Knights of Columbus (Independent)
1940-41 Troy Monitors (NYSL)
1940-41 New York Jewels (ABL)
1940-41 Original Celtics (Independent)
1940-41 Syracuse Reds (Independent)
1941-42 Pittsfield Golden Bears (NYSL)
1941-42 Schuyhill Haven (TSL)
1941-42 Bridgeport Newfields (CSL)
1942-43 Harrisburg Senators (ABL)
1942-43 Detroit Eagles (Independent)
1943-44 Brooklyn Indians (ABL)
1943-44 Detroit Eagles (Independent) 
1943-44 Original Celtics (Independent)
1944-45 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1945-46 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1946-47 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1946-47 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1946-47 Mohawks Redskins (NYSL)
1946-47 Gloversville Glovers (NYSL)
1946-47 Utica Olympians (NYSL)
1947-48 Utica Olympians (NYSL) Head Coach

Synnott had a long career of professional basketball, playing in the ABL for many years as well as the Original Celtics. He moved on to play three seasons in the NBL.

Synnott may have played minor league baseball, too. There is a Robert Synnott who played for Cumberland in the Mid Atlantic League in 1931 and 1932.

Minor League Stats (maybe)
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=synnot001rob

Thanks to Jay LaFountaine for piecing together a good chunk of his travelogue.

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/synnoro01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=synnobo01

John Styler

John F. Styler


Born:
October 19, 1923
Chicago, IL

Died:
February 19, 1999 
Cicero, IL


Career
1944-45 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1945-46 Indianapolis Kautskys (NBL)



Best bet I could find was a John Styler (1923-1999) who died in Cicero, IL. Born to Phillip and Alice, had brother Russell (1918-2002), sisters Esther and Lorraine.
http://www.ancientfaces.com/person/john-f-styler/49051633






Source:
Courier-Journal, January 13, 1946

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/stylejo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=stylejo01