Dick Smuin

Richard Lavell Smuin


Born:
November 14, 1925
American Fork, UT

Died:
September 25, 2001
Salt Lake City, UT


Career
1942-43 Cyprus High School - Magna, UT (High School)
1943-44 University of Utah (College)
1946-47 University of Utah (College)
1947-48 University of Utah (College)
1948-49 University of Utah (College)
1950-51 Utica Pros (ABL)
Granger High School - Utah (High School) Head coach
Granger High School - Utah (High School) Head coach
Granger High School - Utah (High School) Head coach
Granger High School - Utah (High School) Head coach
Granger High School - Utah (High School) Head coach
Granger High School - Utah (High School) Head coach
1964-65 Cyprus High School - Magna, UT (High School) Head coach
1965-66 Cyprus High School - Magna, UT (High School) Head coach
1966-67 Cyprus High School - Magna, UT (High School) Head coach
1967-68 Cyprus High School - Magna, UT (High School) Head coach
1968-69 Cyprus High School - Magna, UT (High School) Head coach
1969-70 Cyprus High School - Magna, UT (High School) Head coach
1970-71 Cyprus High School - Magna, UT (High School) Head coach
1971-72 Cyprus High School - Magna, UT (High School) Head coach
1972-73 Cyprus High School - Magna, UT (High School) Head coach
1973-74 Cyprus High School - Magna, UT (High School) Head coach
1974-75 Cyprus High School - Magna, UT (High School) Head coach
1975-76 Cyprus High School - Magna, UT (High School) Head coach
1977-78 Cottonwood High School - Utah (High School) Assistant coach
1978-79 Cottonwood High School - Utah (High School) Assistant coach
1979-80 Cottonwood High School - Utah (High School) Assistant coach

A member of the Utah NCAA Champions, Smuin's collegiate career was interrupted by World War 2. He returned to college after the war, and after graduating, he signed with the Philadephia Warriors in August of 1950, but would spend the year playing with the Utica Pros in the ABL. He would coach and teach high school for many years in Utah.

Dick married Joan and they had two sons.

Source:


Stats:

Johnny Rucker

John Robert Rucker


Born:
November 21, 1930


 :




Career
1947-48 Erasmus High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1948-49 Erasmus High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1949-50 Erasmus High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1950-51 Utica Pros (ABL)
1950-51 Saratoga Harlem Yankees (ABL)
1951-52 Saratoga / Schenectady Harlem Yankees (ABL)

Rucker, fresh out of high school, was invited to try out with the New York Knicks of the NBA in the fall of 1950. He would eventually be cut prior to the start of the season, but Rucker was the first black player to sign with the Knicks. He would eventually go play in Utica with the ABL franchise there and would also play some minor league baseball. He had planned to go to NYU, but the point shaving scandal saw the program suspended He would later take work in the NYPD for 20 years. He would retire from the force and move to Florida.

Around 2012, Rucker would enjoy some new-found fame and notoriety when he was honored and recognized by the Knicks as their first black player, despite having never actually appeared in a game.

Minor League Baseball Stats:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rucker002joh

Source:
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/sports/basketball/another-knicks-pioneer-brooklyns-john-rucker.html
https://www.nba.com/knicks/history/john-rucker-forgotten-pioneer

Stats:

Bob Roper

Robert Peter Roper


Born:
August 25, 1928
Campbell, OH

Died:
September 13, 2008
Toledo, OH


Career
1944-45 Memorial High School - Campbell, OH (High School)
1948-49 John Carroll University (College)
1949-50 John Carroll University (College)
1950-51 Utica Pros (ABL)


Bob played football at Northwestern before transferring to John Carroll in 1948 where he would play football AND basketball. The 6'9 Roper was drafted by the Rochester Royals in the 3rd round of the 1950 draft, but spent the 1950-51 season with the Utica Pros.

Source:


Stats:

Dave Miller

David Lee Miller


Born:
February 18, 1927
Salem, VA

Died:
November 17, 1981
Salem, VA


Career
1948-49 Alabama State Teachers College (College)
1949-50 Livingston State Teachers College - Alabama (College)
1950-51 Utica Pros (ABL)

Born to Roy and Katie Miller in Salem, Virginia, Dave went into the U.S. Army at the tail end of World War 2. He would go to school first at Wake Forest, and later transferred to and played basketball at Alabama State TC and Livingston State TC. The 6'6 center was signed by the Syracuse Nationals in the summer of 1950 and was assigned to the Utica club in the ABL. He would work for many years as a salesma for Proctor and Gamble before dying of heart failure in 1981 at the age of 54.

He was married to Rachel Carbaugh and they had three sons and two daughters.


Source:
Ancestry

Stats:

Al Masino

Alfred Albert Masino


Born:
February 5, 1928
Richmond, NY

Died:
August 16, 2006
Wesbter, NY


Career
1945-46 East High School - Rochester (High School)
1947-48 Canisius College - New York (College)
1948-49 Canisius College - New York (College)
1949-50 Canisius College - New York (College)
1950-51 Utica Pros (ABL)
1951-52 Elmira Colonels (ABL)
1952-53 Milwaukee Hawks (NBA)
1953-54 Rochester Royals (NBA)
1953-54 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1963-64 Eastridge High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1964-65 Eastridge High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1965-66 Eastridge High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1966-67 Eastridge High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1967-68 Eastridge High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1968-69 Eastridge High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1969-70 Eastridge High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1970-71 Eastridge High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1971-72 Eastridge High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1972-73 Eastridge High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1973-74 Eastridge High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1974-75 Eastridge High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1975-76 Eastridge High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1976-77 Eastridge High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1977-78 Eastridge High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1978-79 Eastridge High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1979-80 Eastridge High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1980-81 Eastridge High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1981-82 Eastridge High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1982-83 Eastridge High School - New York (High School) Head coach

Masino, who played basketball at Canisius, played pro basketball in the ABL for two seasons before getting his shot in the NBA. He lasted two season in the NBA, but played on the 1953-54 Syracuse Nationals who lost the NBA Championship to Minneapolis in 7 games. He went on to be a fixture in the Rochester Community, being a long-time coache, teacher and principal at Eastridge High School.  For 35 years, Masino ran a summer basketball camp with Al Cervi. He died of heart failure in 2006.


Al and his wife Lorraine had three children.

Source:


Stats:
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/masinal01.html
https://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=masinal01

Bob MacKinnon

Robert MacKinnon


Born:
December 5, 1927
Dunkirk, NY

Died:
July 7, 2015
Williamsville, NY


Career
1943-44 McKinley Vocational - Buffalo (High School)
1944-45 McKinley Vocational - Buffalo (High School)
1945-46 McKinley Vocational - Buffalo (High School)
1946-47 Canisius College - New York (College)
1947-48 Canisius College - New York (College)
1948-49 Canisius College - New York (College)
1949-50 Canisius College - New York (College)
1950-51 Utica Pros (ABL)
1951-52 Canisius High School - Buffalo (High School) Head coach
1952-53 Canisius High School - Buffalo (High School) Head coach
1953-54 Canisius College - New York (College) Assistant coach
1954-55 Canisius College - New York (College) Assistant coach
1955-56 Canisius College - New York (College) Assistant coach
1956-57 Canisius College - New York (College) Assistant coach
1957-58 Canisius College - New York (College) Assistant coach
1958-59 Canisius College - New York (College) Assistant coach / head coach
1959-60 Canisius College - New York (College) Head coach
1960-61 Canisius College - New York (College) Head coach
1961-62 Canisius College - New York (College) Head coach
1962-63 Canisius College - New York (College) Head coach
1963-64 Canisius College - New York (College) Head coach
1964-65 Canisius College - New York (College) Head coach
1965-66 Canisius College - New York (College) Head coach
1966-67 Canisius College - New York (College) Head coach
1967-68 Canisius College - New York (College) Head coach
1968-69 Canisius College - New York (College) Head coach
1969-70 Canisius College - New York (College) Head coach
1970-71 Canisius College - New York (College) Head coach
1971-72 Canisius College - New York (College) Head coach
1972-73 Buffalo Braves (NBA) Assistant coach
1973-74 Buffalo Braves (NBA) Assistant coach
1974-75 Spirits of St. Louis (ABA) Head coach
1976-77 Buffalo Braves (NBA) Head coach
1977-78 Buffalo Braves (NBA) Assistant coach
1978-79 Boston Celtics (NBA) Assistant coach
1979-80 New Jersey Nets (NBA) Assistant coach
1980-81 New Jersey Nets (NBA) Assistant coach / Head coach
1985-86 New Jersey Nets (NBA) Assistant coach
1986-87 New Jersey Nets (NBA) Assistant coach
1987-88 New Jersey Nets (NBA) Head coach

MacKinnon played baseball, basketball and football in high school before graduating and heading to Canisius College. He would play baseball and basketball at Cansius, helping the basketball squad over the years down opponents such as Notrre Dame, Georgetown and CCNY. After graduation, be played some minor league baseball in the Dodgers' system as well as a year of basketball with the Utica Pros in the ABL. He went into education and coaching, taking a job at Canisius High School. This lead to an assistant coaching job at his alma mater, Cansius College. In 1959, he was promoted to head coach and would become the school's athletic director, staying at the school through 1972. He would win 142 games at Canisius (as well as earning a Master's degree in 1960).

MacKinnon entered the pro ranks in 1972 as an assistant coach with the Buffalo Braves of the NBA. This lead to a head coaching offer from the St. Louis team in the rival ABA, but that only lasted one season. He returned to the Braves to coach, which then lead him to the Celtics and eventually the New Jersey Nets, where he served in two different stretches as head coach, as well as being GM and head scout.

Minor League Baseball Stats
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mackin002rob

Source:
https://gogriffs.com/news/2015/7/7/210187087.aspx


Stats:

Bob Healey

Robert James Healey


Born:
April 10, 1924
Hewlett, NY

Died:
July 21, 2010
Atlanta, GA


Career
1942-43 Hewlett High School - Long Island, NY (High School)
1943-44 Miami University - Ohio (College)
1947-48 University of Georgia (College)
1948-49 University of Georgia (College)
1949-50 University of Georgia (College)
1950-51 Utica Pros (ABL)

The 6'2, 170 pound Healey, from Hewlett on Long Island, played one year at Miami University of Ohio before joining the U.S. Navy for World War 2. After serving in the Pacific during the war, he finished his education at the University of Georgia, where he was one of the top scorers and two-time All-SEC. After school, Healey was drafted by the Syracuse Nationals in the 8th round of the 1950 NBA draft. He wound up with the ABL team in Utica for the 1950-51 season. He would work for 32 years as a divisional sales manager at Avon Products.

He married Joan in 1949 and they had one daughter.


Source:
Obituary, Newsday, July 25, 2010

Stats:

Harry Foley

Harry Edward Foley


Born:
August 27, 1928
Bronx, NY

Died:
July 16, 1988
Briarcliff Manor, NY


Career
1945-46 Pleasantville High School - New York (High School)
1946-47 Yonkers Trojans (NYNJ)
1946-47 Niagara University (College)
1947-48 Niagara University (College)
1948-49 Niagara University (College)
1949-50 Niagara University (College)
1950-51 Utica Pros (ABL)
1951-52 Manchester British Americans (ABL)
1955-56 Pleasantville Foleys - New York (Independent)
1956-57 Pleasantville Foleys - New York (Independent)
1957-58 Pleasantville Foleys - New York (Independent) 

Foley played baseball and basketball at Niagara.

Foley was drafted by the Rochester Royals of the NBA in the 10th round of the 1950 draft. He wound up with the Utica Pros in the ABL that season, and next year played in Manchester. He would later buy at lounge in Pleasantville which continued operation under this name after he sold it. He served in the U.S. Army in Counter Intelligence and also work with Metropolitan Life Insurance.He became a restauranteur, owning Foley's Loune, the Rail and Terrace View at the Pleasantville Country Club. He died of a heart attack at his home in 1988.


Source:
Daily Times (Mamaroneck, NY), July 17, 1988

Stats:

Leroy Banks

Leroy Banks


Born:
April 3, 1924
Rocky Mount, NC

Died:
June 23, 2009
Virginia Beach, VA


Career
1941-42 Huntington High School - (High School)
1946-47 Virginia State University (College)
1949-50 Virginia State University (College)
1950-51 Utica Pros (ABL)

Born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Banks grew up in Newport News and graduated from high school in 1942. He entered the US Navy after high school and served during World War 2. He want to Virginia State College where he played basketball. After a brief stint in pro basketball with the Utica Pros, Banks went on to be come and accountant with the IRS before turning his focus to teaching while getting a Master's degree at CCNY. He would work for many years with youths as a counselor, teacher and coach.


Source:
http://www.halefuneralhome.com/obituary/386378

Stats:

1950-51 Utica Pros (ABL)

1950-51 UTICA PROS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE (II)
16-23 .410, 5th place

Chollet was the head coach for the team as well as one of their best players. He was recalled by the NBA's Syracuse Nationals on February 13 and the club named Chuck Harmon to lead the team through the last five games.

Head Coach: 

• Leroy Chollet (March 5, 1925 - June 10, 1998) 15-19 Also played. See below
• Chuck Harmon (b. April 23, 1924) 1-4 Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

• Greek Athas (October 6, 1922 - April 29, 2009)

Biography

• Leroy Banks (April 3, 1924 - June 23, 2009)

Biography

• Ed Bartels (October 8, 1925 - November 4, 2007)

Biography

• Gerry Calabrese (February 4, 1925 - April 13, 2015)

Biography

• Leroy Chollet (March 5, 1925 - June 10, 1998)

Biography

• Ray Corley (January 14, 1928 - February 5, 2007)

Biography

• Harry Foley (August 27, 1928 - July 16, 1988)

Biography

• Jerry Fowler (June 20, 1927 - June 15, 2008)

Biography

• Chuck Harmon (April 23, 1924 - March 19, 2019)

Biography

• Bob Healey (April 10, 1924 - July 21, 2010)

Biography

• Al Henningsen (June 9, 1928 - May 7, 2016)

Biography

• Don Lofgran (November 8, 1929 - June 17, 1976)

Biography

• Bob MacKinnon (December 5, 1927 - July 7, 2015)

Biography

• Al Masino (February 5, 1928 - August 16, 2006)

Biography

• Dave Miller (February 18, 1927 - November 17, 1981)

Biography

• Mike Novak (April 23, 1915 - August 15, 1978)

Biography

• Dermie O'Connell (April 13, 1928 - October 5, 1988)

Biography

• Bob Roper (August 25, 1928 - September 13, 2008)

Biography

• John Rucker (b. November 21, 1930)

Biography

• Dick Smuin (November 14, 1925 - September 25, 2001)

Biography

• Ed Stanczak (August 15, 1921 - May 30, 2004)

Biography

Chuck Harmon

Charles Byron Harmon


Born:
April 23, 1924
Washington, IN

Died:
March 19, 2019
Cincinnati, OH


Career
1940-41 Washington High School - Indiana (High School)
1941-42 Washington High School - Indiana (High School)
1942-43 University of Toledo (College)
1946-47 University of Toledo (College)
1947-48 University of Toledo (College)
1948-49 University of Toledo (College)
1949-50 Schenectady Packers (ABL)
1950-51 Utica Pros (ABL)
1951-52 Saratoga/Schenectady Harlem Yankees (ABL)

Harmon was a baseball and basketball star in high school, helping his Washington HS team to the state basketball finals in his junior and senior year. He got a scholarship to the University of Toledo, but after his freshman year he joined to military. He served stateside during the war, being stationed at Great Lakes. After the war, he returned to UT, helping the basketball team into the NIT. During this time, he also played briefly for the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Leagues (under an assumed name to maintain his collegiate eligibility.) He would sign with the St. Louis Browns of baseball's American League, and slowly began his rise through the farm system. He also played some pro basketball in the ABL in the off-season.
He was sent to the Cincinnati Reds and in 1954 found himself invited to the team's spring training camp in 1954. He made the club and made his major league debut in April of that year. He would play with the Reds for a few seasons as a utility man, playing first, third and the outfield. He was later traded to the Cardinals and finished his major league career with the Phillies in 1957. He would play in the minor leagues through 1961, and became a scout after his playing days came to an end.


Chuck married Pearl (d. 2009) in 1947 and they had two daughters and a son.

Major League Baseball Stats:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harmoch01.shtml

Source:
SABR Biography

Stats:

Don Lofgran

Donald James Lofgran


Born:
November 8, 1929
Oakland, CA

Died:
found dead June 17, 1976
Salt Lake City, UT


Career
1944-45 Oakland Technical High School - California (High School)
1945-46 Oakland Technical High School - California (High School)
1946-47 Grant Tech - California (College)
1947-48 Grant Tech - California (College)
1948-49 University of San Francisco (College)
1949-50 University of San Francisco (College)
1950-51 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1950-51 Indianapolis Olympians (NBA)
1950-51 Utica Pros (ABL)
1951-52 Indianapolis Olympians (NBA)
1952-53 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1953-54 Milwaukee Hawks (NBA)
1955-56 Presidio Army (Independent)
1955-56 New York Olympians (Independent)

Lofgran set the single-season scoring record at USF, and was named All-American. He was drafted by the Syracuse Nationals in 1950 but was sold to Indianapolis in February. In 1952 he was traded to Philadelphia for Mel Payton. After the 1952-53 season, Lofgran disappeared. His wife reported him missing after he left to cash a check and trade in his car for a newer model. Initially it was thought that he met with foul play after his new car was found in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, but a few days later, he was spotted around the Bay Area in California. He was later admitted to a psychiatric in Wyoming, determined to have suffered a nervous breakdown. He recovered well enough to return to the NBA that fall, but with the Milwaukee Hawks. He was arrested that December and charged with grand theft and forgery in Oakland. He had taken his sister's car and sold it without her permission, forging the pink slip. In March of 1954, he was arrested in Oakland for passing bad checks. His NBA days were over, but he did pick up some basketball by playing for some independent and semi-pro teams.
Lofgran continued on his downward slide for many years, and bounced from job to job. A heavy drinker, he was found dead in a cheap hotel in Salt Lake City on June 17, 1976. Severe alcoholism and alcohol poisoning caused his liver to fail.

He was married to Joan Stapleton and they had three children.

Source:
Fresno Bee Republican, May 8, 1953
Oakland Tribune, March 22, 1954
Oakland Tribune, November 9, 1955
Santa Cruz Sentinel, December 12, 1956
Brownsville Herald, June 18, 1976

Stats:
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lofgrdo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=lofgrdo01

Gerry Calabrese

Gerald Anthony Calabrese


Born:
February 4, 1925
Hoboken, NJ

Died:
April 13, 2015
Cliffside Park, NJ


Career
1942-43 Cliffside Park High School - New Jersey (High School)
1946-47 St. John's University (College)
1947-48 St. John's University (College)
1948-49 St. John's University (College)
1949-50 St. John's University (College)
1950-51 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1950-51 Utica Pros (ABL)
1951-52 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1952-53 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)

1953-54  Hazelton Mountaineers (EPBL)

After leading Cliffside HS to the state basketball title. Calabrese enlisted in the U.S. Navy and spent three years fighting in World War 2. After the war, he entered St John's where he starred on the basketball court. He played two years for the Syracuse Nationals before returning home to Cliffside. He was elected to the Borough Council in 1955, and 4 years later he was elected mayor of Cliffside, a post he held for over fifty years. He suffered a debilitating stroke in December of 2013, and his son Thomas served in his place until Gerry's death in April of 2015.


Source:
PIX 11 Obituary

Stats:
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/calabge01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=calabge01

Al Henningsen

Allan Clair "Al" Henningsen


Born:
June 9, 1928
Atlantic, IA

Died:
May 7, 2016
Columbia, MO


Career
1945-46 Atlantic High School - Iowa (High School)
1948-49 NW Missouri State (College)
1949-50 NW Missouri State (College)
1950-51 Kansas City Hi-Spots (NPBL)
1950-51 Utica Pros (ABL)
1951-52 Boston Whirlwinds (Independent)
1951-52 Chicago Majors (Independent)

In 1946, Al enterd the U.S. Navy out of high school, and after his service, went to NW Missouri. In 1950, he was drafted by the Fort Wayne Pistons but didn't make the squad, and then signed with Kansas City on November 11. After the Hi-Spots folded, Henningsen went to the Utica Pros in the ABL, and then played for the Whirlwinds and the Majors, two of the teams that traveled with the Harlem Globetrotters. After that grueling tour, he returned to Missouri to go into Education and eventually became a superintendent of schools.

He married Verlee Poldberg (d. 2016) in 1952 and they had two sons and a daughter.

Source:
St Louis Dispatch, February 20, 1980
Obituary, Columbia (MO) Tribune, May 12, 2016

Stats:
www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hennial01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/al-henningsen/

Jerry Fowler

Jerry Alvin Fowler


Born:
June 20, 1927
Boonville, MO

Died:
June 15, 2008
Marshall, MO


Career
1947-48 University of Missouri (College)
1948-49 University of Missouri (College)
1949-50 University of Missouri (College)
1950-51 Kansas City Hi-Spots (NPBL)
1950-51 Utica Pros (ABL)
1951-52 Milwaukee Hawks (NBA)
1951-52 Elmira Colonels (ABL)
1952-53 Elmira Colonels (ABL)
1953-54 Toledo Mercuries (Independent)
1954-55 Toledo Mercuries (Independent) 
1955-56 Washington Generals (Independent)

Born to Elmer and Kathraine Fowler, Fowler played at Missouri before a brief professional basketball career. After playing with the Kansas City Hi-Spots, he headed east and signed with the Utica Pros when KC went under. In the off-season, Fowler signed with the Milwaukee Hawks in the NBA, but was let go after a month. He returned to the ABL, signing with the Elmira Colonels. He played for Elmira for two seasons, but was sidelined in early 1953 with appendicitis. He played a few years, touring with the Harlem Globetrotters.

Source:
Press and Sun Bulletin, January 28, 1952
Star-Gazette (Elmira), December 22, 1953

Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=fowleje01

Greek Athas

Alexander "Greek" Athas


Born:
October 6, 1922
Birmingham, AL

Died:
April 29, 2009
Merairie, LA


Career
1940-41 Warren Easton High School - New Orleans (High School)
1943-44 Tulane University (College)
1945-46 Tulane University (College)
1946-47 Tulane University (College)
1947-48 Tulane University (College)
1948-49 New Orleans Sports (SPBL)
1949-50 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1950-51 Kansas City Hi-Spots (NPBL)
1950-51 Utica Pros (ABL)
1951-52 Elmira Colonels (ABL)

Born to Greek immigrants, Athas was a three-sport tar at Warren Easton, playing basketball and football and running track. He went to Tulane, where he continued basketball and track, but his time at school was interrupted by serving in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific. He went back tt Tulane where he was selected all-Conference on the court. He was drafted by the Rochester Royals of the BAA, but signed with the local New Orleans Sports of the Southern League instead. He signed with the Tri-Cities Blackhawks but an elbow injury lead to his release before the season began. He played pro basketball on various teams for a few seasons before devoting his career to education, teaching and coaching for 35 years at Warren Easton.
In 1959, Athas was severely injured in a car accident that left him confined to a wheelchair.


Alex and his wife, Nancy, had two sons and a daughter.

Source:
NOLA.com Obituary
http://www.tributes.com/show/Alexander-Athas-85764180
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame

Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=athasal01

Ray Corley

Raymond Charles Corley


Born:
January 14, 1928
Staten Island, NY

Died:
February 5, 2007
East Northport, NY


Career
1944-45 St. Peters High School - New York, NY (High School)
1945-46 Notre Dame (College)
1946-47 Georgetown University (College)
1947-48 Georgetown University (College)
1948-49 Georgetown University (College)
1949-50 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1950-51 Baltimore Bullets (NBA)
1950-51 Utica Pros (ABL)
1950-51 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBA)
1951-52 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1952-53 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1952-53 Elmira Colonels (ABL)

Many basketball encyclopedias say Ray is the brother of another pro basketball player, Ken Corley. This is not true. Ray is from New York, and Ken is from Oklahoma.

Born to Thomas and Mary Corley, Ray graduated from St. Peters in New York and enrolled at Notre Dame. After one year at Notre Dame, where he was on the basketball team, he followed coach Elmer Ripley to Georgetown when Ripley took the head coach job there. After three great seasons at Georgetown, Corley went on the play in the NBA and the ABL.

Ray married Stella Tarica had a set of twins and a set of triplets along their seven children.

Source:
http://www.hoyabasketball.com/features/top100/r_corley.htm

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/corlera01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=corlera01

Leroy Chollet

Leroy Patrick Chollet


Born:
March 5, 1925
New Orleans, LA

Died:
June 10, 1998
Westlake, OH


Career
1942-43 Holy Cross - New Orleans, LA (High School)
1944-45 Loyola University - New Orleans (College)
1946-47 Canisius College (College)
1947-48 Canisius College (College)
1948-49 Canisius College (College)
1949-50 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1950-51 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1950-51 Utica Pros (ABL)
1951-52 Elmira Colonels (ABL)
1955-56 St. Edwards High School - Lakewood, OH (High School) Assistant coach
1956-57 St. Edwards High School - Lakewood, OH (High School) Head coach
1957-58 St. Edwards High School - Lakewood, OH (High School) Head coach
1958-59 St. Edwards High School - Lakewood, OH (High School) Head coach
1959-60 St. Edwards High School - Lakewood, OH (High School) Head coach

After graduating from high school, Chollet served in the navy during World War 2. He went to Loyola in New Orleans for a year, but after visiting his brother Hillary in New York where he was attending Cornell, Leroy decided to transfer to Canisius in Buffalo. He wound up being the first Canisius baskeball player to score 1000 point in his career and signed with the Syracuse Nationals after graduating. After a couple years with the Nationals and then two more seasons in the ABL, Chollet moved to Lakewood, Ohio, and took a job at St Edwards as a teacher and coach. He died from ALS in 1998.


Leroy was married to Barbara Knauss and they had two sons and a daughter.

Source:
Obituary, The Plain Dealer, June 14, 1998
Grave and Obit

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/chollle01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=chollle01

Ed Bartels

Edward John Bartels


Born:
October 8, 1925
New York, NY

Died:
November 4, 2007
Killingworth, CT


Career
1942-43 LaSalle Academy - New York City (High School)
1943-44 LaSalle Academy - New York City (High School)
1946-47 North Carolina State University (College)
1947-48 North Carolina State University (College)
1948-49 North Carolina State University (College)
1949-50 Denver Nuggets (NBA)
1949-50 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL)
1949-50 New York Knicks (NBA)
1950-51 Utica Pros (ABL)
1950-51 Washington Capitols (NBA)
1950-51 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1950-51 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1951-52 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1951-52 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1951-52 Bridgeport Roesslers (ABL)
1952-53 Pawtucket Slaters (ABL)
1952-53 Middletown Guards (ABL)
1952-53 Manchester British Americans (ABL)
1952-53 Scranton Miners (ABL)

Ed was born to Edward and Emily Bartels in New York City. He served in the U.S. Army in World War 2 and then played basketball at NC State. He played two seasons in the NBA.

Ed married Maureen McCormick in 1956 and they had three sons and two daughters.

Source:
Hartford Courant, November 8, 2007

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/barteed01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=barteed01

Dermie O'Connell

Dermott Francis O'Connell


Born:
April 13, 1928
New York, NY

Died:
October 5, 1988
NY


Career
1942-43 Cardinal Hayes - Bronx, NY (High School)
1943-44 Cardinal Hayes - Bronx, NY (High School)
1944-45 Cardinal Hayes - Bronx, NY (High School)
1945-46 Holy Cross (College)
1946-47 Holy Cross (College)
1947-48 Holy Cross (College)
1948-49 Holy Cross (College)
1948-49 Boston Celtics (BAA)
1949-50 Boston Celtics (NBA)
1949-50 St. Louis Bombers (NBA)
1950-51 Utica Pros (ABL)
1950-51 Wallingford Veterans (EBL-Ct)

1950-51 Lancaster Rockets (EPBL)

O'Connell was a member of the NCAA champion Holy Cross is 1946-47. After graduating from Holy Cross in January of 1949, Dermie was able to catch on with the Celtics and played his first game with them on February 1, 1949.

Source:
Dunkirk (NY) Evening Observer, January 19, 1949

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/oconnde01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=oconnde01