Paul Birch

Paul "Polly" V. Birch


Born:
January 4, 1910 
Homestead, PA

Died:
June 5, 1982
Pittsburgh, PA  

Career
1932-33 Duquesne University (College)
1933-34 Duquesne University (College)
1934-35 Duquesne University (College)
1934-35 New York Celtics (Independent)
1935-36 New York Celtics (Independent)
1936-37 New York Celtics (Independent)
1937-38 New York Celtics (Independent)
1938-39 Pittsburgh Pirates (NBL)
1939-40 New York Celtics (Independent)
1940-41 New York Celtics (Independent)
1941-42 New York Celtics (Independent) 
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)
1945-46 Youngstown Bears (NBL) - Player / Head Coach
1946-47 Pittsburgh Ironmen (BAA) - Head Coach
1947-48 Youngstown Cubs (AABL) - Player / Head Coach
1950-51 Erie Admirals / Commodores (AABL) Player / Head Coach
1951-52 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA) - Head Coach
1952-53 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA) - Head Coach
1953-54 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA) - Head Coach



A skilled player and Duquesne's first All-American, Birch garnered fame as a member of the New York Celtics barnstorming squad before playing in the NBL. He later became a successful coach for Fort Wayne before becoming persona non grata following the point-shaving scandal surrounding one of his players, Jack Molinas. His life in ruins, Birch descended into alcohol problems and domestic abuse. He was a short-tempered disciplinarian who was described by his son Richard as "Bobby Knight times 10." He was married to Florence, whose death from leukemia amplified Birch's bitterness.

Birch died in 1982.



Source:
http://www.utsandiego.com/sports/20070810-9999-1s10sullivan.html


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/b/birchpa01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=birchpa01