Cortez Gray

Cortez Zell Gray


Born:
March 7, 1916
Hanceville, AL 

Died:
July 28, 1996
Phoenix, AZ


Career
Akron South High School - Ohio (High School)
1939-40 University of Toledo (College)
1940-41 University of Toledo (College)
1941-42 University of Toledo (College) 
1941-42 Midland AC (Independent)
1942-43 Toledo Jim White Chevrolets (NBL)

Cortez was born to Virgil (1886-1961) and Lola (1891-1977) Gray
He worked for as a foreman for 40 years at Garity-Schultz.
He was married to Mary Ellen McGuane (1919-1949). Mary Ellen tragically died of a heart attack while visiting her in-laws during the Christmas season. She was on 30 years old. She and Cortez had a son Patrick (b.1942), and a daughter, Kathleen David (b.1947). He later remarried to Shirley (1926-1993). His obituary mentions sons named Robert and Daniel, who are not mentioned in Mary Ellen's obituary. They might be the product of the marriage of Shirley.

His brother Wyndol also played in the NBL.

Sources:
Mary Ellen's Obituary, Toledo Blade, December 27, 1949
Obituary, Toledo Blade, July 31, 1996

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/g/grayco01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=grayco01

Bob Gerber

Robert Edward Gerber


Born:
August 1, 1916
Akron, OH 

Died:
February 13, 2002
Sandusky, OH


Career
Akron South High School - Ohio (High School)
Akron West High School - Ohio (High School)
1939-40 University of Toledo (College)
1940-41 University of Toledo (College)
1941-42 University of Toledo (College) 
1942-43 Toledo Jim White Chevrolets (NBL)
1942-43 Detroit Eagles (Independent)
1942-43 Detroit Eagles (Suffrins)
1943-44 Detroit Eagles (Suffrins) 
1943-44 Dayton Bombers (Suffrins)
1945-46 Indianapolis Kautskys (NBL)
1946-47 Toledo Jeeps (NBL)
1947-48 Minneapolis Lakers (NBL)
1947-48 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL)

Born in Akron to Charles and Ellen Gerber, Gerber attended Akron South High School for two years before transferring to West. He only became a regular player in his senior year, and then went on to Toledo, where he became All-American. He had an unorthodox shot and poor vision. He even experimented with a new invention called contact lenses in his senior year but quickly went back to his glasses. After one year for the Jim White Chevys, he served his country in the war. He returned to play three more seasons in the NBL.
After basketball, he worked for many years at George's Cigar and Gift Shop and then Doehler Jarvis.
He was married to Sandy.



Source:
Evening Independent, January 27, 1942

Obituary:
Toledo Blade


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/g/gerbero01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=gerbebo01

Gus Doerner

Wilfred Otto "Gus" Doerner


Born:
February 27, 1922
Mackey, IN 

Died:
December 10, 2001
Evansville, IN


 
Career
1935-38 Mackey High School - Indiana (High School)
1936-37 Mackey High School - Indiana (High School)
1937-38 Mackey High School - Indiana (High School)
1939-40 Evansville (College)
1940-41 Evansville (College)
1941-42 Evansville (College) 
1942-43 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1945-46 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1946-47 Indianapolis Kautskys (NBL)
Fort Branch High School - Indiana (High School) - Head coach
Fort Branch High School - Indiana (High School) - Head coach
Fort Branch High School - Indiana (High School) - Head coach



Served in the Army during World War 2. In the 50's, he formed a partnership and opened a sporting goods store., Lomax and Doerner. In 1962, he split off and opened his own store, which remained opened in the Evansville area until it went out of business in 2009.


Source:
Store Closing, Evansville Courier Press, July 2, 2009

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/d/doernwi01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=doerngu01

1942-43 Toledo Jim White Chevrolets (NBL)

1942-43 TOLEDO JIM WHITE CHEVROLETS
NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Finished: 0-4 .000, 5th place

Toledo withdrew from the league on December 14, 1942

• Head Coach: Sid Goldberg (March 26, 1912 - October 22, 1995)

PLAYERS:

• Shannie Barnett (February 8, 1919 - July 2, 1991)

Biography

• Robert Gerber (August 1, 1916 - February 13, 2002)

Biography

• Cortez Gray (March 7, 1916 - July 28, 1996)

Biography

• Pat Hintz (February 4, 1914 - February 22, 2004)

Biography

• Casey Jones (June 15,1915 - April 2, 2002)

Biography

• Billy Jones (February 3, 1914 - April 9, 2006)

Biography

• Al Price (September 8, 1917 - November 7, 2011)

Biography

• Eddie Sadowski (February 2, 1915 - March 11, 1992)

Biography

• John Townsend (September 20, 1916 - December 4, 2001)

Biography

• Zano Wast (August 20, 1916 - May 21, 1988)

Biography

Duke Cumberland

Roscoe Franklin "Duke" Cumberland


Born:
November 20, 1915
Fostoria, OH

Died:
October 16, 1974 
Chicago, IL


Career
Scott High School - Toledo (High School)
Knoxville (College)
1935-36 Toledo's Brown Bombers (Independent)
1936-37 Jesse Owen's Olympians (Independent)
1937-38 Jesse Owen's Olympians (Independent)
1938-39 Jesse Owen's Olympians (Independent)
1938-39 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1939-40 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1940-41 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1941-42 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1941-42 New York Rens (Independent) 
Ciralsky Meat Packers (Independent)
1942-43 Chicago Studebaker Flyers (NBL)
1942-43 New York Rens (Independent)
1943-44 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1944-45 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1945-46 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1945-46 New York Rens (Independent)
1946-47 New York Rens (Independent)
1946-47 Columbus Collegians (Independent)  
1946-47 Dayton Metropolitans (Independent)
1947-48 Dayton Metropolitans (AABL)
1948-49 Dayton Rens (Independent)
1949-50 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1951-52 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1961-62 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)  

According to his draft records, Duke was born in Fostoria, Ohio, in 1915. the 6'1.5, 185 pound basketball player played many years for the Harlem Globetrotters. Duke married Hazel Turner on May 12, 1942. 

Source
Post-Crescent (Appleton, WI), April 1, 1938
Family member

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/c/cumbero01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=cumbedu01

Ken Buehler

Kenneth Leslie Buehler


Born:
November 19, 1919
Rib Falls, WI

Died:
April 18, 2019  
Rhinelander, WI


Career
1935-36 Edgar High School - Wisconsin (High School)
1936-37 Edgar High School - Wisconsin (High School)
1937-38 Edgar High School - Wisconsin (High School) 
1939-40 Milwaukee State Teachers College (College)
1940-41 Milwaukee State Teachers College (College)
1941-42 Milwaukee State Teachers College (College)
1942-43 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1945-46 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1946-47 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1946-47 Milwaukee Shooting Stars (Independent)
1947-48 Milwaukee Shooting Stars (Independent)
1948-49 Milwaukee Shooting Stars (Independent)
1949-50 Milwaukee Shooting Stars (Independent)
1949-50 New Holstein Athletics (WSBL)
1949-50 Oshkosh All-Stars (WSBL)
1950-51 Fond du Lac Rockets (WSBL)

Born to Charles and Girda (1889-1977) Buehler in Rib Falls, Wisconsin, Ken grew up in Edgar, Wisconsin. Buehler played football and basketball at Milwaukee Teachers College (now the Univesity of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) before signing with Sheboygan. He was the NBL Rookie of the Year in 1942-43 season. He has called up to serve in World War 2 near the end of his rookie season, in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific. Returned and played a couple more seasons before pursuing a career in dentistry, earning his dentistry degree in 1950. In 1987, he retired and moved to Florida.

Source:
UWM Hall of Fame
Article, Buehler Talks About First NBL Game with Black Players

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/b/buehlke01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=buehlke01

Hillery Brown

Hillery L. Brown


Born:
July 30, 1912
Jackson, MS 

Died:
February 8, 1991
Chicago, IL


Career
Wendell Phillips High School - Chicago (High School)
1931-32 Chicago Savoy Big-Five (Independent)
1933-34 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1934-35 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1935-36 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1936-37 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1937-38 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1938-39 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1939-40 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1939-40 Chicago Crusaders (Independent)
1940-41 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1942-43 Chicago Studebaker Flyers (NBL)
1942-43 New York Rens (Independent)
1943-44 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1944-45 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1945-46 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1946-47 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1946-47 New York Rens (Independent)
1947-48 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)


Born to Johnnie and Edwina Brown. Married to Annie Bell. His name is misspelled "Hillary" in many places. Served in the army during World War 2.



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/b/brownhi01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=brownhi01

Sonny Boswell

Wyatt "Sonny" Boswell


Born:
May 19, 1919
Greenville, MS 

Died:
October 19, 1964
Chicago, IL


Career
Scott High School - Toledo (High School)
1937-38 Jesse Owen's Olympians (Independent)
1938-39 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1939-40 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1940-41 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1941-42 New York Rens (Independent) 

1942-43 Chicago Studebaker Flyers (NBL)
1942-43 New York Rens (Independent)
1943-44 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1944-45 New York Rens (Independent)
1945-46 Chicago Monarchs (Independent)
1945-46 Anderson Chiefs (Independent)
1946-47 Dayton Mets (Independent)
Ciralsky Meat Packers (Independent)

Born to Starling and Ardinia Boswell in Mississippi, Boswell, one of the first black players in the NBL, grew up in Toledo. After high school, he joined the Globetrotters where he was known for his deep shooting. After his playing days, he managed a hotel in Chicago and owned a bowling alley on the South Side. Boswell died suddenly of a heart attack at home in 1964. He was only 45.

He married Jean Boswell.

Source:
Toledo Blade, February 11, 1941
Post-Crescent (Appleton, WI), April 1, 1938

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/b/boswewy01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=bosweso01

Shannie Barnett

Shannie Sloan Barnett


Born:
February 8, 1919
Pine Bluff, AR

Died:
July 2, 1991
Toledo, OH


Career
Indiana Y Big Five (Semi-Pro)
Ciralsky Meats (Semi-Pro)
Brown Buddies (Semi-Pro) 
1942-43 Toledo Jim White Chevrolets (NBL)
1949-50 New York Comedy Kings (Independent)


Shannie worked for 42 years at the Jeep plant in Toledo, retiring in 1984. He was an active member of the Democratic Party in the area, serving on many boards and committees.
He married Doris and had three daughters: Linda Dent, Patricia Barnett and Karen Barnett

Source:
Toledo Blade, July 5, 1991


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/b/barnesh01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=barnesh01

Bob Alwin

Robert Harry Alwin


Born:
August 12, 1920
Madison, WI 

Died:
October 8, 2003
Clearwater, FL


Career
Madison East High School - Wisconsin (High School)
1939-40 University of  Wisconsin (College)
1940-41 University of  Wisconsin (College)
1941-42 University of  Wisconsin (College) 
1942-43 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1946-47 Central High School - Madison, Wisconsin (High School) - Coach
1947-48 Central High School - Madison, Wisconsin (High School) - Coach
1948-49 Central High School - Madison, Wisconsin (High School) - Coach
1949-50 Central High School - Madison, Wisconsin (High School) - Coach
1950-51 Central High School - Madison, Wisconsin (High School) - Coach
1951-52 Central High School - Madison, Wisconsin (High School) - Coach
1952-53 Central High School - Madison, Wisconsin (High School) - Coach
1953-54 Central High School - Madison, Wisconsin (High School) - Coach
1954-55 Central High School - Madison, Wisconsin (High School) - Coach
1955-56 Central High School - Madison, Wisconsin (High School) - Coach
1956-57 Central High School - Madison, Wisconsin (High School) - Coach 

Alwin earned Master's degrees in mathematics and meteorology for UW and University of Chicago, publishing several textbooks on mathematics. He coached basketball and golf as well as taught at Central High School in Madison before moving to Florida in 1957.

He married Shirley in 1945 and they had a daugher, Joan, and a son, Mark.

Obituary




Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/a/alwinro01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=alwinbo01

O'Neal Adams

Howard O'Neal "Neal" Adams


Born:
January 21, 1919
Beebe, AR

Died:
October 27, 1998
Sand Springs, OK


Career
Beebe High School - Arkansas (High School)
1939-40 University of Arkansas (College)
1940-41 University of Arkansas (College) 
1941-42 University of Arkansas (College) 
1942-43 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)


Adams was a three-sport star at Arkansas, playing football and baseball as well as basketball. He played six seasons in the NFL as well as one year of pro basketball with Oshkosh.

His name is listed as Neal is some places, but U of Ark. has him down as O'Neal Adams, so that's what I will go with for this blog.

NFL Stats:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AdamNe20.htm

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/a/adamsho01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/a/alwinro01n.html

1942-43 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)

1942-43 SHEBOYGAN REDSKINS
NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Finished: 12-11 .522, 2nd place


Semifinals - Defeated Oshkosh, 2-0
NBL Championship - Defeated Fort Wayne, 2-1

• Head Coach: Carl Roth (September 15, 1909 - May 28, 1966)

PLAYERS:

• Ken Buehler (November 19, 1919 - April 18, 2019)

Biography

• Ed Dancker (March 14, 1914  - October 3, 1991)

Biography

• Moose Graf (July 28, 1917 - October 12, 2005)

Biography

• George Jablonski (July 18, 1919 - June 1, 1992)

Biography

• Buddy Jeannette (September 15, 1917 - March 11, 1998)

Biography

• Pete Lalich (June 23, 1920 - February 1, 2008)

Biography

• Reuben Lautenschlager (September 7, 1915 - January 5, 1992)

Biography

• Joel Mason (March 12, 1912 - October 31, 1995)

Biography

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

Biography

• Robert Regh (October 11, 1912 - June 24, 1999)

Biography

• Eddie Sadowski (February 2, 1915 - March 11, 1992)

Biography

• Warren Schrage (July 30, 1920 - January 19, 1999)

Biography

• Dick Schulz (January 3, 1917 - June 26, 1998)

Biography

• Bob Schwartz (January 24, 1919 - June 3, 1995)

Biography

• Ken Suesens (October 23, 1916 - May 29, 1992)

Biography

1942-43 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)

1942-43 OSHKOSH ALL-STARS
NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Finished: 11-12 .478, 3rd place

Semifinals - Lost to Sheboygan, 2-0

• Head Coach: Lon Darling (June 25, 1902 - April 19, 1951)

PLAYERS:

• Howard Adams (January 21, 1919 - October 27, 1998)

Biography

• Robert Alwin (August 12, 1920 - October 8, 2003)

Biography

• Louis Barle (June 23, 1916 - December 30, 1996)

Biography

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

Biography

• Leroy Edwards (April 11, 1914 - August 25, 1971)

Biography

• Warner Engdahl (July 1, 1918 - May 11, 1985)

Biography

• Gene Englund (October 21, 1917 - November 5, 1995)

Biography

• Bill Komenich (July 1, 1916 - March 8, 1961)

Biography

• Dutch Kramer (April 23, 1922 - September 24, 1978)

Biography

• Raymond Krzoska (October 28, 1918 - April 5, 2006)

Biography

• Eugene Lorendo (December 7, 1921 - April 15, 2001)

Biography

• Tex Mueller (July 29, 1916 - May 22, 2012)

Biography

• Fred Nimz (April 22, 1914 - May 9, 1992)

Biography

• Tommy Nisbet (March 31, 1916 - April 7, 1963)

Biography

• David Quabius (March 16, 1916 - June 19, 1983)

Biography

• Charley Shipp (December 3, 1913 - March 21, 1988)

Biography

• Don Smith (July 27, 1920 - March 1, 1996)

Biography

• John Townsend (September 20, 1916 - December 4, 2001)

Biography

• Ralph Vaughn (February 12, 1918 - June 7, 1998)

Biography

• Jewell Young (January 18, 1913 - April 16, 2003)

Biography

1942-43 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)

1942-43 FORT WAYNE ZOLLNER PISTONS
NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Finished: 17-6 .739, 1st place

Semifinals - Defeated Chicago, 2-1
NBL Championship - Lost to Sheboygan, 2-1

• Head Coach: Carl Bennett (December 7, 1915 - May 15, 2013)

PLAYERS:

• Curly Armstrong (November 1, 1918 - June 6, 1983)

Biography

• Paul Birch (January 4, 1910 - June 5, 1982)

Biography

• Jerry Bush (September 6, 1914 - October 27, 1976)

Biography

• Wilfred Doerner (February 27, 1922 - December 10, 2001)

Biography

• Dale Hamilton  (August 16, 1919 - August 12, 1994)

Biography

• Jack Keller (June 22, 1922 - May 2, 2012)

Biography

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

Biography

• Jake Pelkington (January 3, 1916 - May 1, 1982) 

Biography

• Herm Schaefer (December 20, 1918 - March 21, 1980)

Biography

• Blackie Towery (June 20, 1920 - November 25, 2012)

Biography

1942-43 Chicago Studebaker Flyers (NBL)

1942-43 CHICAGO STUDEBAKER FLYERS
NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Finished: 8-15 .349, 4th place

Semifinals - Lost to Fort Wayne, 2-1

• Head Coach: Johnny Jordan (October 23, 1910 - June 13, 1991)

PLAYERS:

• Sonny Boswell (May 19, 1919 - October 19, 1964)

Biography

• Hillery Brown (July 30, 1912 - February 8, 1991)

Biography

• Duke Cumberland (November 20, 1915 - October 23, 1966)

Biography

• Dick Evans (May 31, 1915 - May 26, 2008)

Biography

• Roosevelt Hudson (July 15, 1915 - February 1, 1985)

Biography

• Al Johnson  (August 20, 1913 - February 2, 1991)

Biography

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

Biography

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

Biography

• Charles Peyton (March 3, 1921 - July 23, 2007)

Biography

• Babe Pressley (September 21, 1916 - September 15, 1965)

Biography

• Bernie Price (September 20, 1915 - January 24, 2002)

Biography

• Paul Sokody (August 18, 1914 - May 12, 1992)

Biography

• Ted Strong (January 2, 1914 - March 1, 1978)

Biography

Warren Hair identified

Found a specific date of death and birth and death locations.

Warren Hair
1918-2006

Art Hyatt Identified

Looks like Art moved to Washington. I found this record of an Arthur Hyatt death. Burial in Washington, but connection on death certificate to Pennsylvania. Birthdate is in the right range.
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JPD1-9W5
Checked deeper and found Yvonne Hyatt is also buried at same cemetery (1915-1988). Marriage record matches Yvonne's birthdate on grave.
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VF74-R36
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gsr&GSiman=1&GScid=76949&GSfn=&GSln=hyatt

Art Hyatt
1912-1991

John McAdams Identified

I went back to check a few leads and was able to track down John McAdams of Akron Goodyear and Ohio Wesleyan. The hometown and his discovered middle initial really gave me a good direction, and was able to use the suspects family members to narrow it down. So this goes into the Complete file.

John McAdams
1912-1975

Tommy Edwards Identified

I happened across an entry for the book, Biographical Directory of Professional Basketball Coaches, and it lists Thomas Edwards' information and it confirms my theory on his identity: That is was the Thomas Edwards born on January 14, 1911. The original birthdate listed in sources was erroneously recorded as January 4, 1911. I have updated the biographical information on his blog page accordingly.

Tommy Edwards
1911-1977

Babe Ziegenhorn

Maurice Joseph "Babe" Ziegenhorn


Born:
November 21, 1918
Chicago, IL

Died:
August 23, 1970
Sheboygan, WI


Career
St. Phillip - Chicago (High School)
1938-39 Notre Dame (College) 
1941-42 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1945-46 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)


Babe grew up in Chicago, attending Notre Dame and playing one year there. He played pro basketball for Sheboygan, with an interruption on account of World War 2. Ziegenhown died at 51 in 1970.
He married Mary Suscha (1918-1998).

Chicago Tribune article from 1942 calls him "Henry Ziegenenhorn."

Source
http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1942/01/25/page/22/article/bruins-to-play-three-games-in-busy-week


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/z/ziegema01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=ziegeba01

Abe Yourist

Abe Harry Yourist


Born:
March 19, 1907
Russia

Died:
November 9, 1991
Seattle, WA


Career
1925-26 Woodward High School - Toledo (High School)
1926-27 Woodward High School - Toledo (High School)
1927-28 Woodward High School - Toledo (High School)
1929-30 Heidelberg College - Ohio (College)
1930-31 Heidelberg College - Ohio (College)
1931-32 Heidelberg College - Ohio (College) 
1932-33 Toledo Crimson Coaches (Independent)
Babe Dridrickson's All Stars (Pro)
1941-42 Toledo Jim White Chevrolets (NBL)


Yourist was born in Russia to David and Sophia Yourist, and the family immigrated here shortly after Abe was born. He grew up in Toledo where Woodward was a high school athlete. Yourist was a four-sport star at Heidelberg, playing football, basketball, baseball and ran track. He played pro basketball on Babe Dridrikson's All-Stars and the Crimson Coaches as well as a brief appearence with the Toledo Chevrolets. He also was a professional wrestler for many years, including under the names Pepper Gomez and the Masked Marvels. He retired from wrestling around 1970. He also worked for Fenton Aluminum Sash in the Seattle area for 22 years. He had lived in Seattle since 1948.

Yourist died in 1991 after falling in his home. He married Irene in 1937 and had a son, Harry, and a daughter, Sharon.

Sources:
Obituary, Toledo Blade, November 9, 1991
Seattle Time Obituary, November 13, 1991
1930 Census
Bio at Heidelberg College

Many places state he played professional football for the Bears and other teams, but the only record of him playing pro football is with Passaic in the AFA in 1936.
http://www.profootballarchives.com/1936aapas.html

Nothing to indicate he played for the Bears (or any NFL team) at all.

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/y/youriab01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=youriab01

Paul Wallace

Paul Wallace


Born:

 

Died:
 



Career
Overbrook High School - Philadelphia (High School)
University of Toledo (College) 
1941-42 Toledo Jim White Chevrolets (NBL)


Using the information that Wallace went to Overbrook and UT, we find this Paul Wallace:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=55039076

However, if that IS the Paul Wallace who played for the Chevrolets, he would have been 16 years old. Granted, he was a big star in Philadelphia HS, but how would he wind up playing a single game at such a young age in a city far far away. There is nothing to indicate that his family lived in Toledo at the time. This Paul Wallace went to UT after World War 2. So this doesn't make sense.

So.... two things here. Paul "Hook" Wallace was 16 when he played one game for Toledo when he was there for some reason in the winter of 41-42, and went to UT 5 years later.

OR

The Paul Wallace who played for the Chevrolets has no connection to Overbrook and UT as reported elsewhere.

I personally subscribe to the latter, especially since Hooks' obit on the findagrave site says nothing about playing professionally at age 16, which I think would be notable.

The only Paul Wallace (or surname of Wallace of any first name) was Hook Wallace. ('47 and '48)

There is this Paul G.Wallace, who would be 19, but lived in Toledo in 1930 and 1940
https://familysearch.org/search/record/results?count=20&query=%2Bgivenname%3Apaul~%20%2Bsurname%3Awallace~%20%2Bbirth_place%3Aohio~%20%2Bbirth_year%3A1915-1925~%20%2Bresidence_place%3A%22Toledo%2C%20Ohio%22~%20%2Bresidence_year%3A1930-1940~


Update 8/22/16
Having located a photo of Paul Wallace in his Toledo '48 uniform, and comparing it to his obituary photo, it looks like the same guy, and therefore conclude that Paul "Hook" Wallace, UT '48, is the Paul Wallace from Philly who lived 1925-1998. So did he play for the Chevrolets at 16? Or is the Paul Wallace of UT not the same as the one who played for the Chevys?

Mystery continues

Pro Basketball Encyclopedia says it is this guy: (born Aug 17, 1923, died Feb 1976)
http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc=fxk1916&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&gss=angs-g&new=1&rank=1&gsfn=Paul&gsfn_x=0&gsln=Wallace&gsln_x=1&msypn__ftp=Ohio,%20USA&msypn=38&msypn_PInfo=5-%7C0%7C1652393%7C0%7C2%7C0%7C38%7C0%7C0%7C0%7C0%7C0%7C&MSAV=1&msbdy=1923&msddy=1976&msddy_x=1&cp=0&catbucket=rstp&uidh=q12&msbdy_x=1&msbdp=1&pcat=ROOT_CATEGORY&h=65215482&recoff=4%205&db=ssdi&indiv=1&ml_rpos=1

However, following their lead of a middle initial (G) I find Paul Gordon Wallace (July 7, 1922 - August 16, 2007). Born in Pioneer, Ohio, to Clair(e) Wallace (b. 1890?) and Ruby I. Harmon Wallace (b. 1895?) died in Tucson. Sister is Jean E. Wallace, born 1920. WW2 veteran, enlisted Nov 20, 1942. Married: Ethel E. Kelley (born Aug 31. 1926) on August 3, 1946  (daughter of Chester Kelley and Fannie Upham). He remarried to Maureen around 1988. He had a son named Scott.



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/w/wallapa01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=wallapa01

Blackie Towery

William Carlisle Towery


Born:
June 20, 1920
Caldwell, KY

Died:
November 25, 2012
Marion, KY


Career
1934-35 Shady Grove High School - Kentucky (High School)
1935-36 Shady Grove High School - Kentucky (High School)
1936-37 Shady Grove High School - Kentucky (High School)
1938-39 University of Western Kentucky (College)
1939-40 University of Western Kentucky (College)
1940-41 University of Western Kentucky (College)
1941-42 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1942-43 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1943-44 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1944-45 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1946-47 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1947-48 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1948-49 Fort Wayne Pistons (BAA)
1948-49 Indianapolis Jets (BAA) 
1949-50 Baltimore Bullets (NBA)
1950-51 Grand Rapids Hornets (NPBL)
1950-51 Kansas City Hi-Spots (NPBL)
1950-51 Evansville Agogans (NPBL)


Born in Kentucky to Shellie Clark and Lela Barnes Towery, Towery was an All-American at WKU, leading the Hilltoppers to three conference titles. He joined the Fort Wayne Pistons after school, playing for seven seasons with a brief interruption to serve in World War 2, where he was awarded the Bronze Star. After the Pistons, he played with the Jets and Bullets in the NBA before a season bouncing around the NPBL. One time, during a game, Towery got in an altercation with both Jim Pollard and Max Winters. Apparently, Towery took them both out with a single punch each.1

He had a daughter, Nancy Brock, and three sons, Robert, Clark and William, all of whom went to WKU.


Sources:
Obituary
Interview from 2001
1 The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: Los Angeles Lakers; pg 28

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/t/towerwi01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=towerbl01

Benjamin Schall

Benjamin Jack Schall


Born:
December 8, 1917
Cleveland, OH

Died:
February 9, 1998
Toledo, OH


Career
Woodward High School - Toledo (High School)
1936-37 University of Toledo (College) 
1941-42 Toledo Jim White Chevrolets (NBL)
1946-47 Toledo Jeeps (NBL)


Schall served in the army during World War 2.



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/schalbe01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=schalbe01

Bill Thompson

William Francis Thompson


Born:
February 21, 1920
Toledo, OH

Died:
September 27, 1969
Philadephia, PA


Career
1936-37 Central Catholic High School - Toledo (High School)
1937-38 DeSales College - Toledo (College)
1938-39 DeSales College - Toledo (College)
1939-40 DeSales College - Toledo (College)
1940-41 DeSales College - Toledo (College) 
1941-42 Toledo Jim White Chevrolets (NBL)

Born in Toledo to Joseph and Martha Thompson, Bill attented DeSales College where he starred on the basketball team. After playing with the Jim White Chevrolets in the NBL, Thompson served in the U.S. Army in World War 2. After the war, Thompson worked for Pittsburgh Plate Glass and as branch manager would relocate a few times after leaving Toledo in 1951. He died in 1969 at the young age of 49.

Bill and his wife Jeanne had three daughters and three sons.


Source:
Coshocton Tribune, March 15, 1939
Toledo Blade, September 29, 1969



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/t/thompbi01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=thompbi02

Ted Strain

William Theodore Strain


Born:
March 1, 1917
Illinois

Died:
October 4, 1999
Rockford, IL


Career
Harvard High School - Illinois (High School)
1938-39 University of Wisconsin (College)
1939-40 University of Wisconsin (College)
1940-41 University of Wisconsin (College) 
1941-42 Chicago Bruins (NBL)


While at Wisconsin, he was declared academically ineligible in Febuary of his junior year. He returned to help Wisconsin to the NCAA title in his senior year. Strain played one game for the Chicago Bruins.
Married Beverly Douglas (1921-2013) on October 2, 1947.


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/straite01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=straite01

Herm Schaefer

Herman Henry Schaefer


Born:
December 20, 1918
Fort Wayne, IN

Died:
March 21, 1980
Indianapolis, IN


Career
1934-35 Central High School - Fort Wayne, IN (High School)
1935-36 Central High School - Fort Wayne, IN (High School)
1936-37 Central High School - Fort Wayne, IN (High School)
1938-39 Indiana University (College)
1939-40 Indiana University (College)
1940-41 Indiana University (College)
1941-42 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1942-43 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1943-44 Great Lakes (military)
1944-45 Washington Capitols (ABL)
1944-45 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (Independent)
1945-46 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1945-46 Dayton Mickeys (Independent)
1946-47 Indianapolis Kautskys (NBL) - Player and head coach for last ten games and playoffs
1947-48 Indianapolis Kautskys (NBL)
1947-48 Minneapolis Lakers (NBL)
1948-49 Minneapolis Lakers (BAA)
1949-50 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1950-51 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA) - Head coach for one game
1951-52 Indianapolis Olympians (NBA) - Head coach
1952-53 Indianapolis Olympians (NBA) - Head coach


Born to William and Pauline Schaefer in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was a captain at Indiana and joined the Pistons after graduation. He coached the Olympians for their two years in existence. He served in the military during World War 2. Schafer died in 1980.


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/schaehe01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/schaehe01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=schaehe01

Eddie Sachs

Edwin Richard Sachs



Born:
February 11, 1918
Chicago, IL

Died:
July 15, 1996
Lake Zurich, IL


Career
1939-40 DePaul University (College)
1940-41 DePaul University (College)
1941-42 Chicago Bruins (NBL)

There is another Edwin Sachs from Missouri (1920-1986), but nothing I found puts him in Chicago. This one seemed a better fit, so I just went about confirmation.
https://familysearch.org/search/record/results?count=20&query=%2Bgivenname%3Aedwin~%20%2Bsurname%3Asachs~%20%2Bbirth_place%3Aillinois~%20%2Bbirth_year%3A1914-1923~
Doing a search on his brother, I found Henry's obituary which showed he played basketball at Illinois.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2003-03-21/news/0303210162_1_mr-sachs-top-senior-basketball-players-golf
I feel pretty confident about this ID.

Born to Polish immigrants Edward and Mary Sachs,  Ed played at DePaul and then the Chicago Bruins in the NBL. 



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/sachsed01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=sachsed01

Eddie Riska

Edward Joseph Riska


Born:
October 4, 1919
Chicago, IL

Died:
August 3, 1992
Houston, TX


Career
1934-35 De La Salle High School - Chicago (High School)
1935-36 De La Salle High School - Chicago (High School)
1936-37 De La Salle High School - Chicago (High School)
1938-39 Notre Dame (College)
1939-40 Notre Dame (College)
1940-41 Notre Dame (College) 
1941-42 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1942-43 Great Lakes (Navy)
1943-44 Brooklyn Indians (ABL)
1945-46 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1946-47 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1947-48 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1948-49 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1951-52 De La Salle High School - Chicago (High School) - Head coach
1952-53 De La Salle High School - Chicago (High School) - Head coach
1953-54 De La Salle High School - Chicago (High School) - Head coach
1954-55 De La Salle High School - Chicago (High School) - Head coach
1955-56 De La Salle High School - Chicago (High School) - Head coach
1956-57 De La Salle High School - Chicago (High School) - Head coach
1957-58 De La Salle High School - Chicago (High School) - Head coach
1958-59 De La Salle High School - Chicago (High School) - Head coach
1959-60 De La Salle High School - Chicago (High School) - Head coach
1960-61 De La Salle High School - Chicago (High School) - Head coach

A football and basketball star at De La Salle, Riska signed with Oshkosh in 1941 but entered the Navy the following year. He earned a Purple Heart in the war. He returned and played four more seasons with Oshkosh before turning to coaching. He coached the basketball team at his alma mater for 11 seasons, while working on Mayor Daley's Youth Foundation and eventually the Department of Urban Renewal. He retired and moved to Missouri City, Texas, and died in a Houston hospital in 1992.
Eddie was married to Anne, and they had a son, Edward Jr., and daughter, Mary Grauer.

Source:
Obituary


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/r/riskaed01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=riskaed01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/eddie-riska/

George Ratkovicz

George Webster Ratkovicz, Jr.


Born:
November 13, 1922
Chicago, IL

Died:
November 10, 2007
Webster, NY


Career
Lindbloom High School - Chicago (High School)
1941-42 Chicago Bruins (NBL)
1945-46 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1946-47 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1947-48 Grand Rapids Rangers (PBLA)
1947-48 Rochester Royals (NBL)
1948-49 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL)
1949-50 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1950-51 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1951-52 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1952-53 Baltimore Bullets (NBA) 
1952-53 Milwaukee Hawks (NBA)
1953-54 Milwaukee Hawks (NBA)
1954-55 Milwaukee Hawks (NBA)
1954-55 Wilkes-Barre (EBL)


Ratkovicz played 12 years of professional basketball without the benefit of playing in college. He was 19 when he debuted with the Bruins, but then went into the military for the war. Upon his return, the 6'7 center /  power forward enjoyed a long career that lasted into the mid 50's. He also played minor league baseball in the Athletics and Braves farm systems.


Minor League Baseball Stats
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=ratkov001geo

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/r/ratkoge01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/ratkoge01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=ratkoge01

Jim Rae

James Weaver Rae, Jr.


Born:
October 7, 1917
Bowling Green, OH

Died:
January 7, 2013
Traverse City, MI


Career
DeVilbiss High School - Toledo (High School)
1939-40 University of Michigan (College) 
1940-41 Toledo White Huts (Independent)
1941-42 Toledo Jim White Chevrolets (NBL)



Born to James and Grace Rae in Ohio, Jim went to Michigan where he studied medicine as well as be the captain of the basketball team and ran track. He played professionally briefly for Toledo before continuing his medical career. He went into the Navy for World War 2 and was one of the first soldiers to enter Nagasaki after the atomic bombing there.

In 1950 he started his residency at the Mayo Clinic before returning to Ann Arbor to start the Physical Rehab Department at U-M.

Dr. Rae was 95 when he died of an upper respiratory infection in 2013.


Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/r/raeji01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=raeji01

Lou Possner

Louis Leonard Possner


Born:
August 11, 1917
Chicago, IL

Died:
March 6, 1990
Santa Clara, CA


Career
1933-34 Marshall High School - Chicago (High School)
1934-35 Marshall High School - Chicago (High School)
1935-36 Marshall High School - Chicago (High School)
1937-38 DePaul University (College)
1938-39 DePaul University (College)
1939-40 DePaul University (College)
1940-41 Philadelphia Sphas (ABL)
1941-42 Chicago Bruins (Independent)
1941-42 Chicago Bruins (NBL)
1944-45 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1944-45 New Britain Pros (Independent)
1944-45 Hartford Nutmegs (Independent)
1945-46 New Britain Pros (Independent) 
1946-47 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)


Born to Maurice and Anna Possner, Lou played basketball at Marshall High and DePaul, and moved on to join the Sphas in the ABL. He returned to Chicago to play with the Bruins. He went back east to play with Paterson and then Syracuse.



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/p/possnlo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=possnlo01

Jack O'Brien

John Jeremiah "Jack" O'Brien, Jr.


Born:
July 25, 1916
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
June 18, 1994
Windsor, CT


Career
1931-32 St. John's Prep - Brooklyn (High School)
1932-33 St. John's Prep - Brooklyn (High School)
1933-34 St. John's Prep - Brooklyn (High School)
1935-36 Columbia University (College)
1936-37 Columbia University (College)
1937-38 Columbia University (College)
1938-39 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1939-40 Baltimore Clippers (ABL)
1940-41 Baltimore Clippers (ABL)
1940-41 Troy (NYSL)
1941-42 Akron Goodyear Wingfoots (NBL)
1941-42 Pittsfield (NYSL)
1941-42 Schuykill Haven (TCL)
1941-42 Brideport Newfields (CSL)
1944-45 Paterson Crescents / Washington Capitols (ABL)
1944-45 New York Westchesters (ABL)
1945-46 Dunmore - Scranton (CSL)
1945-46 Hartford (NEBL)
1946-47 Hartford (NEBL)
1947-48 Hartford (NEBL)
1947-48 Wallingford (ECL)
1947-48 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL) - Player / coach
1948-49 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL) - Player / coach
1949-50 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL) - Player / coach 

Born in Brooklyn to John and Celia O'Brien. He attended St John's Prep before heading to Columbia, where "Columbia Jack" would lead the Ivy League in scoring on the court. His father, John O'Brien Sr, was a founder of the ABL, and he joined the league after graduation. He enjoyed a long stint in the ABL, with a quick stop for Goodyear in the NBL before heading back east where he wound up a player/coach. After his playing days, we remained competitive in recreational sporting activities, and also officiated games in the NBA for years. O'Brien worked as a plant manager at ARGO in Berlin, Connecticut, as well as personnel director at Sitex Corporation in Hartford. A long-time resident of Windsor, CT, he was heavily involved in youth athletics in town and the high school football stadium was named for  him after his passing.
He married Lynn Harris (1921-2014) in 1948 and they had five sons, William, John, Michael, Jerry, and K.C., and a daughter, Charron Russo.


Sources:
Obituary
Hartford Courant, September 6, 1994
Columbia Athletics

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/o/obriejo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=obrieja01

Red Oberbruner

Kenneth Lewis "Red" Oberbruner


Born:
October 5, 1918
Ashland, WI 

Died:
September 6, 1991
Burlington, WI


Career
1933-34 De Padua High School - Ashland, WIsconsin (High School)
1934-35 De Padua High School - Ashland, Wisconsin (High School)
1935-36 De Padua High School - Ashland, Wisconsin (High School)
1937-38 Notre Dame (College)
1938-39 Notre Dame (College)
1939-40 Notre Dame (College)
1940-41 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (Independent)
1941-42 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)

Born to Robert (1884-1961) and Margaret (1890-1974) Oberbruner in Ashland, Wisconsin, "Red" went to De Padua High School (obituary says class of 1932, but that makes him 14 years old), and then went to Notre Dame where he played baseball and basketball. He played basketball briefly for Fort Wayne and then fought in World War 2. He spent 24 years as the athletic director at Milton College and was also the baseball coach at UW-Parkside.
He married Ruth Licher (1924-2012) on October 25, 1947, and they had five sons, Ken, Larry, Jamey, Dan, and Dick, and a daughter, Trish Miller.

Source
Obit from UW-Parkside
Grave & Obit

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/o/oberbke01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=oberbre01

Woody Norris

Elwood Adrian Norris


Born:
June 18, 1919
Washington, IN 

Died:
April 25, 2007
Bloomington, IN


Career
Washington High School - Indiana (High School)
1938-39 Butler University (College)
1939-40 Butler University (College)
1940-41 Butler University (College)
1941-42 Indianapolis Kautskys (NBL)
1942-43 Great Lakes (Navy)
1945-46 Indianapolis Kautskys (NBL)
1946-47 Indianapolis Kautskys (NBL)
1947-48 Indianapolis Kautskys (NBL)

Norris played basketball and football at Butler, and was even offered a contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers but turned it down. He signed with the Kautskys and played a season before serving with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War 2. He returned to play a few more season for Indianapolis. After his playing days, he worked in the insurance business.
Norris married Virginia Jordan (1921-2013) in 1942, and they had four children: two sons, Jeff and Kim, and two daughters, Jennifer Kreitl and Kelly Grimes.


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/n/norriel01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=norriwo01

George Nelmark

George Gregory Nelmark (Nelimarkka)



Born:
May 9, 1917
Ironwood, MI

Died:
December 4, 2010
Santa Barbara, CA


Career
1938-39 Missouri State Teachers College (College) - (now NE Missouri State)
1939-40 Missouri State Teachers College (College) - (now NE Missouri State)
1940-41 Missouri State Teachers College (College) - (now NE Missouri State)
1941-42 Oshkosh All-Stars (Independent)
1941-42 Toledo Jim White Chevrolets (NBL)
1945-46 Los Angeles Carroll Shamrocks (ABL-AAU)
1946-47 St Louis Blues (Independent)
1946-47 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1947-48 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1948-49 Fibber McGee & Molly (AAU)
1948-49 Santa Barbara Retreaders (AAU)
1949-50 Santa Maria Dukes (AAU)
1950-51 Santa Barbara All-Americans (AAU)


Born in Ironwood, Michigan to Matti and Hilma Nelimarkka, Nelmark played basketball at Missouri Teachers College and after graduating, he signed with the Oshkosh All-Stars in 1941, but did not play with them in the NBL season. He then signed with Toledo before joining the Marines, seeing action in the Pacific including being in the first Marine Division to land at Guadalcanal. After developing gangrene on his foot, he returned the the States and played basketball on the Marine's base team in San Diego. Nelmark stayed in California and returned to school at Cal-Santa Barbara. He also played semi-pro basketball while in California. He returned to the East to play two seasons for the Syracuse Nationals, but then went back to California to finish his education at UCSB. He took a teaching and coaching job at Antelope Valley HS and stayed there until his retirement in 1990. He died in 2010 at 93 years of age after a bout with Alzheimer's.
He was married to Luella Herold (1925-2009) and they had two daughters, Carol Nelmark (1954-2009) and Norma Kessler.

Source:
Obituary
Salt City Cagers Blog

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/n/nelmage01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=nelmage01

George Morse

George Edward Morse


Born:
April 11, 1920
Chicago, IL


Died:
December 6, 2012
Chicago, IL


Career
Mt. Carmel High School - Chicago (High School)
1937-38 Marquette University (College) freshmen
1938-39 Chicago Duffy Florals (Independent)
1939-40 Chicago Duffy Florals (Independent)
1940-41 Chicago Duffy Florals (Independent)
1941-42 Chicago Bruins (NBL)
1946-47 Chicago Shamrocks (Independent)
1947-48 Chicago Shamrocks (Independent)
1948-49 Chicago Shamrocks (Independent)

A skilled athlete at Mt Carmel, Morse went to Marquette on an athletics scholarship but left to play professional basketball. World War 2 came up, and Morse enlisted in the Army. However, Morse would make his real impact on the sporting world in softball. He was an innovator of the 16' softball game, and was inducted into the sport's Hall of Fame.
Morse died in 2012 of pulmonary disease.
He married Mary Jane Reilly and had a son, Joseph, and three daughters; Donna Kelly, Barbara McKenzie and Bonnie Shatkus.

Sources:
16 Inch Softball Hall of Fame
Obituary


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/morsege01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=morsege01

Morris

Morris


Born:

  

Died:




Career
1941-42 Chicago Bruins (NBL)

Only listed by his last name. Not much to go on, but I am of the opinion (at least, it is very possible) that "Morris" is actually Edward F. "Moose" Norris who went to Fenwick High School ('35) and played at DePaul,
http://www.friarsonline.com/page.aspx?pid=406
Norris was stationed at Great Lakes in March of 1942. It is quite possible he is our guy.
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV57-QGX5



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/morri01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=morri01