Bob Synnott

Robert Thomas Synnott


Born:
September 27, 1912
New York

Died:
November 19, 1985
Pampano Beach (or Dade County), 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

Chet Strumillo

Chester William "Chet" Strumillo


Born:
May 28, 1924
Cicero, IL

Died:
July 27, 2010
Burr Ridge, IL


 
Career
1939-40 Morton High School - Chicago (High School)
1940-41 Morton High School - Chicago (High School)
1941-42 Morton High School - Chicago (High School)
1942-43 University of Illinois (College) - Freshmen 
1944-45 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1946-47 Northwestern University (College)
1947-48 Northwestern University (College)
1948-49 Northwestern University (College)


Lead Morton to the Illinois State Championship in basketball in 1940-41. He played one year at Illinois before being drafted in to the Army for World War 2. After the war, he returned to school, this time at Northwestern.


He married Marriane and they had thee kids; Carl, Don and Carol.

Obituary:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?n=chester-w-strumillo&pid=144430054

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/strumch01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=strumch01

Johnny Stevenson

John H. Stevenson


Born:
March 25, 1913
Monessen, PA

Died:
April 1998 
Pennsylvania


Career
1932-33 Monessen Merchants (Independent)
1933-34 Charleroi Books Shoes (Independent)
1934-35 Charleroi Wolf Clothiers (Independent)
1935-36 Charleroi Wolf Clothiers (Independent)
1936-37 Monessen Uptowners (Independent)
1937-38 Monessen Uptowners (Independent)
1938-39 Monessen Uptowners (Independent)
1939-40 Monessen Uptowners (Independent)
1940-41 Monessen Uptowners (Independent)
1941-42 Hagerstown (Independent)
1944-45 Pittsburgh Raiders (NBL)
1945-46 Pittsburgh Pirates (Independent)

1945-46 Pittsburgh Guerrentz Packers (Independent)

1946-47 Pittsburgh Pirates (Independent)

1947-48 Altoona Edwards / Pitts / Railroaders (AABL)


Listed in many places and John Stephans, but he is almost certainly John Stevenson, a basketball player out of Monessen. He played a lot of basketball in the 1930's and 40's for various teams in Pennsylvania and Maryland.



Source:
Pittsburgh Press, March 1, 1935

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/stephjo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=stephjo02

Joe Stampf

Joseph Michael Stampf


Born:
December 16, 1919
Chicago, IL

Died:
April 20, 1985
Chicago Ridge, IL


Career
1936-37 Calumet High School - Gary, IN (High School)
1940-41 University of Chicago (College) 
1942-43 Acme Steel (AAU)
1944-45 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1957-58 University of Chicago (College) - Head coach
1958-59 University of Chicago (College) - Head coach
1959-60 University of Chicago (College) - Head coach
1960-61 University of Chicago (College) - Head coach
1961-62 University of Chicago (College) - Head coach
1962-63 University of Chicago (College) - Head coach
1963-64 University of Chicago (College) - Head coach
1964-65 University of Chicago (College) - Head coach
1965-66 University of Chicago (College) - Head coach
1966-67 University of Chicago (College) - Head coach
1967-68 University of Chicago (College) - Head coach
1968-69 University of Chicago (College) - Head coach
1969-70 University of Chicago (College) - Head coach
1970-71 University of Chicago (College) - Head coach
1971-72 University of Chicago (College) - Head coach
1972-73 University of Chicago (College) - Head coach
1973-74 University of Chicago (College) - Head coach
1974-75 University of Chicago (College) - Head coach


Stampf lead the Big Ten in scoring in 1941 for the win-less Chicago squad. We wound up coaching for 18 years at U of C, compiling the second-highest win total for his career there.
He was married to Clarice and had two daughters, Susan Casperson and Jody Rosain; a son, Richard.

Obituary:
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-04-24/news/8501240648_1_team-ncaa-college-division-regionals


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/stampjo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=stampjo01

Chuck Shanklin

Charles Cecil Shanklin, Jr.



Born:
September 3, 1921
Indianapolis, IN

Died:
August 19, 2006
Avon, IN


Career
1938-39 Decatur Central High School - (High School)
1939-40 Indiana University (College)  Freshmen
1942-43 Indianapolis Pure Oils (Independent)
1943-44 Indianapolis Pure Oils (Independent)
1944-45 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)

Born to Charles (1900-1988) and Ethel (1897-1969)  Shanklin in Indianapolis,
Shanklin attended Indiana for one year before leaving to pursue a baseball career. He pitched in the minor leagues for four seasons, playing in the Cubs, White Sox and Yankee farm systems. He played some for Oshkosh in the NBL and also served in the U.S. Army.In 1943, he also started working for General Motors, and was employed there until his retirement in 1979.

He was married to Marguerite Breedlove and later married Thelma Hall on March 2, 1974.

Minor League Baseball Stats
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=shankl001cha

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/shankch01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=shankch01

Al Schrecker

Albert Louis Schrecker


Born:
July 23, 1917
Pittsburgh, PA

Died:
January 4, 2000
Allison Park, PA


Career
1938-39 Pittsburgh (AAU) 
1942-43 YMHA (Pittsburgh Municipal)
1944-45 Pittsburgh Raiders (NBL)


Married to Margaret Salzman (1923-2006).


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/schreal01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=schreal01

Jack Scarry

John L. Scarry


Born:
May 29, 1917
Duquesne, PA

Died:
November 22, 1983
Palos Park, IL


Career
1937-38 Duquesne University (College)
1938-39 Duquesne University (College)
1939-40 Duquesne University (College)  
1940-41 Duquesne Koprivers (Independent)
1944-45 Pittsburgh Raiders (NBL)


A key to indentifying Jack Scarry was his sister Mary's obituary.
http://www.efalumni.org/hall-of-fame/2012/mary_c_scarry.html

Born to Michael J. and Mary A. Scarry in Pennsylvania. He attended Duquesne University and play briefly for the Raiders. He wound up working at Interlake Steel, retiring in 1973 as Vice President.He was a patent holder for a process of hot rolling stainless steel.

Married to Elsie Mae Clark (1920-1952) and Irene Fedorchak (1929-2001). He had two daughters, Kathleen and Kristeen. Jack's brother Mike played in the NFL.

Source:
Pittsburgh Press, November 25, 1983

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/scarrja01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=scarrja01

Swede Roos

Harry Marshall "Swede" Roos, Sr.


Born:
August 8, 1913
Chicago, IL

Died:
January 30, 1979
Troutdale, OR


Career
1935-36 Chicago Heights (Independent)
1935-36 Chicago Englewood (Independent)
1936-37 Whiting Ciesar All-Americans (Independent)
1937-38 Chicago Acme Steels (AAU)
1938-39 Chicago Acme Steels (AAU)
1939-40 Chicago Acme Steels (AAU) 
1940-41 Chicago Acme Steels (AAU)
1941-42 Chicago (Independent) 
1942-43 Dayton Dive Bombers (Independent)
1943-44 Chicago Gears (AAU)
1944-45 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1945-46 Chicago American Gears (NBL) - Head Coach
1946-47 Chicago American Gears (NBL) - Asst Coach
1947-48 Waterloo Pro-Hawks (PBLA) - Head coach / player
1947-48 Portland Indians (PCBL) - Head coach / player



Born in Cook County to Gustav and Helena (Beckman) Roos.

Roos played semi-pro basketball, football and baseball during the 30's and 40's.
Named player/coach for the Waterloo Hawks in the PBLA, the league disbanded after Waterloo played six games, so Roos headed back west and took over the reigns for the Portland entry in the Pacific Coast League, playing as well as coaching. He was also very involved in softball in the
Portland area in his later days. He remained in Portland the rest of his life, working as a salesman for Zidell Enterprises. In January of 1979, Roos went to see the Portland Trailblazers take on the Denver Nuggets. He had a heart attack while at the game and died that night.

He was married to Beulah "Lola" Borem (1919-1998) and they had four sons; Harry Jr. (1946-2005), Carl, Stephen and Douglas.

"I loved Harry; he was a Chicago guy from the word go, real rough-and-tumble. Everything about him was tough; he had scars on his face. But he was a real nice guy."
 - Ty Lovelace, former teammate (Portland) -

Source:
Grave/obit
Oregon Live article by Brain Gaynor, October 28, 2012
16" Softball Hall of Fame

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/r/roosha01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=roossw01

Joe Proksa

Joseph Paul Proksa, Jr.


Born:
June 30, 1914
Pennsylvania

Died:
October 25, 1999 
Hagerstown, MD


Career
1935-36 Penn State University (College)
1936-37 Penn State University (College)
1937-38 Penn State University (College) 
1939-40 Westinghouse Air Brake Five (semi-pro)
1940-41 Westinghouse Air Brake Five (semi-pro)
1940-41 Pittsburgh Pirates (Independent)
1940-41 Duquesne Kopriver (Independent)
1941-42 Cumberland Collegians (Independent)
1941-42 Conono Oilers (Independent professional)
North End (Independent)
1944-45 Pittsburgh Raiders (NBL)
1946-47 Lancaster Red Roses (EPBL)
1948-49 Lancaster Red Roses (EPBL)
1949-50 Coatesville High School - Pennsylvania (High School) Head coach
1962-63 North High School - Hagerstown, MD (High School) Head coach
1963-64 North High School - Hagerstown, MD (High School) Head coach
1964-65 North High School - Hagerstown, MD (High School) Head coach
1965-66 North High School - Hagerstown, MD (High School) Head coach
1966-67 North High School - Hagerstown, MD (High School) Head coach
1967-68 North High School - Hagerstown, MD (High School) Head coach
1968-69 North High School - Hagerstown, MD (High School) Head coach
1969-70 North High School - Hagerstown, MD (High School) Head coach


Born to Joseph and Mary Proksa in 1914. Played often with Fred Crim, Moe Becker, Hank Evanoski and Walt Miller, other Pittsburgh-area basketballers. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War 2.

Married Eleanor Clegg on August 3, 1940.They had a daughter, Pamela (1943-2009), and a son, Joseph

Source
Cumberland Evening Times, August 17, 1962

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/p/proksjo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=proksjo01

Stan Patrick

Stanley Augustus Patrick


Born:
May 5, 1922
Chicago, IL

Died:
January 1, 2000 
Belvidere, IL



Career
1937-38 Leo High School - Chicago (High School)
1938-39 Leo High School - Chicago (High School)
1939-40 Leo High School - Chicago (High School)
1940-41 Santa Clara University (College)
1941-42 Santa Clara University (College)
1942-43 Santa Clara University (College)  
1943-44 University of Illinois (College)
1944-45 De La Salle High School - Chicago (High School) Head coach
1944-45 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1945-46 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1946-47 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1947-48 Flint/Midland Dow A.C.'s (NBL)
1947-48 Chicago Gears (PBLA)
1948-49 Hammond Calumet Buccaneers (NBL)
1949-50 Waterloo Hawks (NBA)
1949-50 Sheboygan Redskins (NBA)
1950-51 Kansas City Hi-Spots (NPBL)
1951-52 Belvidere High School - Illinois (High School) Head coach
1952-53 Belvidere High School - Illinois (High School) Head coach
1953-54 Belvidere High School - Illinois (High School) Head coach
1954-55 Belvidere High School - Illinois (High School) Head coach
1955-56 Belvidere High School - Illinois (High School) Head coach
1956-57 Belvidere High School - Illinois (High School) Head coach
1957-58 Belvidere High School - Illinois (High School) Head coach
1958-59 Belvidere High School - Illinois (High School) Head coach
1959-60 Belvidere High School - Illinois (High School) Head coach
1960-61 Belvidere High School - Illinois (High School) Head coach
1961-62 Belvidere High School - Illinois (High School) Head coach
1962-63 Belvidere High School - Illinois (High School) Head coach
1963-64 Belvidere High School - Illinois (High School) Head coach

Patrick transferred from Santa Clara to Illinois. He was elected captain for the 1944-45 season, but he had enough credits to graduate so he took a coaching job in the fall of 1944. Patrick coached football and basketball at De La Salle HS, but quit after one season to devote his career to playing basketball professionally.

He coached at Belvidere HS for many years (probably even longer than listed above, I just haven't found his entire tenure yet.)

He married Betty Shaw and they had three daughters, Mary Ann, Peggy and Teri.

Sources:
Daily Illini, June 16, 1944
Daily Illini, April 12, 1945
Belvidere Republican, February 20, 1964


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/p/patrist01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/patrist01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=patrist01

Pete Pasko

Peter Paul Pasko


Born:
September 9, 1919
Chicago, IL

Died:
March 31, 2004
Bradford, PA


Career
1940-41 East Stroudsburg University (College)
1941-42 East Stroudsburg University (College)
1942-43 East Stroudsburg University (College)
1943-44 East Stroudsburg University (College) 
1944-45 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1944-45 Wayland JC (College) Head coach
1945-46 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1946-47 Milwaukee (Independent)
1947-48 New Orleans Hurricanes (PBLA)
1947-48 West Bender Benders (Independent)
1947-48 Beaver Dam Olo Soap - Wisconsin (Independent)
1948-49 Beaver Dam Olo Soap - Wisconsin (Independent)
1948-49 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1949-50 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1950-51 Williamsport Billies (EPBL)
1951-52 Williamsport Billies (EPBL)

Played football, baseball, basketball and ran track at East Stroudsburg. Pasko was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL, but did not play in the NFL at all.

He married Maryellen Cummiskey on June 28, 1944 and they had two daughters, Connie and Patricia.


Source:
Milwaukee Journal, September 7, 1944
Maryellen's Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/p/paskope01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=paskope01

Frank Otway

Frank Hamilton Otway

Born:
March 1, 1923
British West Indies

Died:
April 21, 2022
Orange City, FL


Career
Chicago University (College) 

1944-45 Arlington Heights American Legion - Illinois (Independent)  
1944-45 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1946-47 Bergen-Newark (NYNJ)

1947-48 Long Island University (College) Freshmen  
1948-49 Rider University (College)

1948-49 Poughkeepsie Green Waves - New York (Independent)

1949-50 Rider University (College)
1950-51 Rider University (College)

1951-52 East Orange Sporting Goods - New Jersey (Independent)

1952-53 East Orange Sporting Goods - New Jersey (Independent)

1953-54 East Orange Sporting Goods - New Jersey (Independent)

1954-55 Newark Iron Dukes - New Jersey (Independent)

All I initially knew was he played one game in Chicago in 1944-45. He allegedly went to college at the University of Chicago, which would put him in position to play with the Gears. But after that, he went to Rider? It's not unheard of in this era for a player to go to college after some professional basketball experience. But did he actually attend U of C? If not, then why was he in Chicago to play the Gears? Possibly stationed at Great Lakes?

This issue of the Cornell Daily Sun has him at 6'3, 190 lbs for Rider.
http://cdsun.library.cornell.edu/cgi-bin/cornell?a=d&d=CDS19501206-01.2.3

This brings us to Frank H. Otway, born c. 1923 in the British West Indies. He was living in New Jersey in 1940 (which is where Rider is)

This Rider donor list from 2014-2015 confirms Frank H. Otway graduated in 1951.
http://www.rider.edu/hrod/2014-2015/lawrenceville/alumni

So now he know his identity.

- Update 1/31/2016 -  

I was able to contact Mr. Otway and through correspondence I am able to fill in more information.

Otway was in the U.S. Marines, stationed in Chicago. He was attending the University of Chicago as well, and saw an ad in the paper for tryouts for the Gears, so he went and made the team. After a few games, his commanding officer found out about it and ended his time with the Gears. After the war, he went to Rider where he played two seasons. 

Frank married Isabel Thomas and they had three sons, Robert, Dale (1942-2013) and Gary (1947-2010) and two daughter, Lyris and Christine.

Otway would become president and CEO at Schaefer's Wholesale Bakery.

- Update 8/15/2022 -  



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/o/otwayfr01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=otwayfr01

John Novotny

John Robert Novotny


Born:
January 29, 1918
Braddock, PA

Died:
July 14, 2006
Jeannette, PA


Career
1932-33 Braddock High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1933-34 Braddock High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1934-35 Braddock High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1935-36 Braddock High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1939-40 Appalachian State University (College)
1940-41 Appalachian State University (College)
1941-42 Appalachian State University (College) 
1943-44 Pittsburgh Corbetts (Independent)
1944-45 Pittsburgh Raiders (NBL)


Born to Michael and Elizabeth Novotny in Braddock, he played basketball at Appalachian State before briefly playing for Pittsburgh in the NBL. He worked for 35 years for Westinghouse Electric as an Electrical Tester.

He was married to Stella Grimes (1920-199), and had two sons; John and James.

Obituary:
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/n/novotjo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=novotjo01

Al Moschetti

Albert Vincent Moschetti


Born:
January 1, 1920
NY

Died:
December 10, 2007
Horseheads, NY


Career
1937-38 New Utrecht High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1940-41 St. John's University (College)
1941-42 St. John's University (College)
1942-43 St. John's University (College)
1943-44 Arma AC (Independent)
1944-45 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1945-46 Honesdale (PSL)
1946-47 Elizabeth Braves (ABL)
Notre Dame High School - Elmira, NY (High School) Head coach

Played on the 1943 NIT champion St John's team.

He was married to Angela (1921-2000), and had three sons; Wayne, Albert and Vincent. He had a twin brother, Ralph.



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/moschal01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=moschal01

John Mills

John P. Mills


Born:
September 7, 1919
Flat Lick, KY

Died:
August 25, 1995
Flat Lick, KY


Career

1938-39 Western Kentucky University (College)
1939-40 Western Kentucky University (College)
1940-41 Western Kentucky University (College) 
1944-45 Cleveland Allmen Transfers (NBL)
1945-46 Cleveland Allmen Transfers (NBL)
1946-47 Pittsburgh Ironmen (BAA)




Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/millsjo01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/millsjo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=millsjo01

John Malokas

John Thomas Malokas


Born:
August 1, 1916
Cleveland, OH

Died:
April 16, 2000
Euclid, OH


Career

1935-36 Ohio University (College)
1936-37 Ohio University (College)
1937-38 Ohio University (College)
1938-39 Cleveland Chase Brassmen (Independent)
1939-40 Cleveland Chase Brassmen (Independent)
1940-41 Cleveland Chase Brassmen (Independent)
1941-42 Cleveland Chase Brassmen (Independent)
1942-43 Cleveland Chase Brassmen (Independent) 
1944-45 Cleveland Allmen Transfers (NBL)
1945-46 Cleveland Allmen Transfers (NBL)
1946-47 Cleveland Rosenblums (Independent)

Malokas played basketball and baseball at Ohio University while earned a BS in Education.



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/malokjo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=malokjo01

Al Lucas

Albert Thomas Lucas


Born:
July 4, 1922
New York, NY

Died:
April 26, 1995 
Levittown, NY


Career
1941-42 St. John's Prep - Brooklyn (High School)
1942-43 Fordham University (College) 
1943-44 Arma AC (Independent)
1944-45 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1945-46 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1946-47 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1947-48 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1948-49 Boston Celtics (BAA)
1948-49 Utica Olympics (NYSL)




Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/l/lucasal01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lucasal01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=lucasal01

Sid Levine

Sidney "Shmulie" Levine


Born:
July 9, 1918
Pittsburgh, PA

Died:
June 10, 1999 
Pittsburgh, PA


Career
Leheney's (Pittsburgh Municipal League)
YMWHA (Pittsburgh Municipal League)
Gurrents Packers (Pittsburgh Municipal League)
1941-42 Argonne (Pittsburgh Municipal League)
1944-45 Pittsburgh Raiders (NBL)

1945-46 Pittsburgh Guerrentz Packers (Independent)

1948-49 Pittsburgh / McKeesport Merchants (AABL)

McKeesport Big Five (Pittsburgh Municipal League)

Born to Abraham and Hannah Levine, Sidney attended Fifth Avenue High School in Pittsburgh, but could not play basketball due to having to work during the Depression. He played six years in Pittsburgh's municipal league and also played for the Raiders for their only season. Levine was also a skilled softball player in the Pittsburgh area, too. He worked in the Jewish Community Center in Pittsburgh to tutor kids in basketball.

He married Ethel Laibovitz on July 30, 1944, and they had four children.


Special thanks to Beth Goldman at the West Pennsylvania Jewish Sports Hall of Fame for her assistance in identifying Shmulie.

Source:
1985 Western Pennsylvania Jewish Sports Hall of Fame program

http://jccpgh.org/jewish-life-arts-events/jewish-life-arts-eventsjewish-sports-hall-of-fame-western-pa/


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/l/levinsi01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=levinsi01

Paul Kessy

Paul Kescenovitz (Kessy) Jr.


Born:
May 17, 1915
Wisconsin

Died:
January 3, 1971 
Wisconsin


Career
1932-33 Washington High School - Milwaukee (High School)
1936-37 Milwaukee State Teachers College (College)  
1937-38 Milwaukee State Teachers College (College) 
1944-45 Cleveland Allmen Transfers (NBL)
1944-45 Pittsburgh Raiders (NBL)
1946-47 Wilmington Bombers (ABL)

Kescenovitz (or Kessy as he was widely known) went to Milwaukee Teachers College (now Univ of Wisconsin-Milwaukee). He split the 1944-45 season professionally with Cleveland and Pittsburgh in the NBL. He was signed by Oshkosh on October 17, 1945, but was released on November 1, prior to the season starting.


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/k/kessypa01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=kessypa01

Bob Holm

Robert Charles Holm


Born:
January 22, 1919
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
April 14, 2002
Sheboygan, WI


Career
1935-36 Erasmus High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1939-40 Seton Hall (College)
1942-43 New York Jewels (ABL)
1943-44 New York Jewels (ABL)
1944-45 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1945-46 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1946-47 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1947-48 Birmingham Skyhawks (PBLA)
1947-48 Saratoga Indians (NYSL)
1948-49 Hammond Calumet Buccaneers (NBL)
1948-49 Saratoga Indians (NYSL)
1950-51 New Holstein Athletics (WSBL)

Bob's cousin is Eleanor Holm, Olympic gold medalist in swimming.


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/holmro01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=scheied01

Howie Hoffman

Howard Albert Hoffman


Born:
December 4, 1921
Bridgeport, IN

Died:
October 22, 1996 
Danville, IN


Career
1940-41 Purdue University (College)
1941-42 Purdue University (College)
1942-43 Purdue University (College)
1943-44 Indianpolis Pure Oils (Independent)
1944-45 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1944-45 Indianpolis Pure Oils (Independent)
1945-46 Indianpolis Pure Oils (Independent)
1946-47 Anderson Duffey Packers (NBL)



Possibly:
Howard A. Hoffman
http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=hoffman&GSfn=howard&GSby=1922&GSbyrel=in&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=88913329&df=all&
Born to Walter and Reba Hoffman.
http://www.brownsburg.lib.in.us/obitsystem/obitview.asp?ObitID=13094&iTens=950&Find=Find&OrderBy=&OrderType=

Update:
Indianapolis Star article from 1941 makes reference to Howard Hoffman being the grandson of John Bradford, and a little more reading yields John's daughter Reba, who would then match to the Reba Hoffman that I originally theorizes was Howie's mother. So in short, my above possibility was accurate.

Hoffman served in the army during World War 2. He worked as a farmer until his retirement in 1987. Married to Patsy Ann Hempfling (1923-1999), they had two sons.


Source:
Indianapolis Star, November 16, 1941
Grave and Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/hoffmho01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hoffmho01

John Poncar Identified

I got a message from John Poncar's (1944) grandson confirming the identity of one of the possible John Poncar's I found. I have updated his entry, and invite him to add any other information or photos he would like.

John Poncar
1913-2010

Nat Hickey

Matthew J. "Nat" Hickey


Born:
January 30, 1902


Died:
September 16, 1979
Johnstown, PA


Career
1921-22 Hoboken St. Joseph's (Independent)
1922-23 Eddie Holly's Majors (Independent)
1922-23 New York Crescents (Independent)
1923-24 Eddie Holly's Majors (Independent)
1924-25 Eddie Holly's Majors (Independent)
1925-26 Cleveland Rosenblums (ABL)
1926-27 Cleveland Rosenblums (ABL)
1927-28 Cleveland Rosenblums (ABL)
1928-29 Cleveland Rosenblums (ABL)
1928-29 Chicago Bruins (ABL)
1929-30 Chicago Bruins (ABL)
1930-31 Chicago Bruins (ABL)
1931-32 Original Celtics (Independent)
1932-33 Original Celtics (Independent)
1933-34 Original Celtics (Independent) 
1934-35 Boston Trojans (ABL)
1934-35 Original Celtics (Independent)
1935-36 Original Celtics (Independent)
1936-37 Original Celtics (Independent)
1937-38 Original Celtics (Independent)
1938-39 Original Celtics (Independent)
1939-40 Original Celtics (Independent)
1940-41 Original Celtics (Independent)
1941-42 Original Celtics (Independent) 
1944-45 Pittsburgh Raiders (NBL) - Head Coach / player
1945-46 Indianapolis Kautskys (NBL) - Head Coach / player
1946-47 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL) - Head Coach / player
1947-48 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL) - Head Coach / player
1947-48 Providence Steamrollers (BAA) - Head Coach, played one game
1950-51 Johnstown Clippers (AABL) - Head coach


In 1948, he was named the coach of Providence in the BAA, and struggled to a 4-25 record. He activated himself for one game on January 27, 1948, three days shy of his 46th birthday, and became the oldest person to appear in a BAA.NBA game.

Aside from basketball, Hickey enjoyed a lengthy career in baseball, playing 15 minor league seasons and managing two.

His date of death appeared in the Johnstown Tribune Obituary Index,

Minor League Baseball Stats
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=hickey001mat

Sources:
Bluefield Daily Telegraph (WV) - April 29, 1937
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat Obituary Index

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/hickema01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hickena01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hickena01

Pierre "Huck" Hartman

Marion Pierre "Huck" Hartman


Born:
October 23, 1920
Salina, PA

Died:
March 25, 1946 
Sharon, PA


Career
New Kensington High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1938-39 Washington & Jefferson (College)
1939-40 Washington & Jefferson (College)
1940-41 Washington & Jefferson (College) 
1944-45 Pittsburgh Raiders (NBL)
1945-46 Youngstown Bears (NBL)

Hartman played on March 11 against the Chicago American Bears, then took ill with pneumonia and never recovered, dying on March 25. (The Kane Republican from March 26, 1946, says he died "yesterday", indicating the 25th.) His headstone has 1920 listed as his birth year. Tragically, his parents outlived all three of their children, as Pierre's brother Philip died in 1951 at 36 years of age, and brother Hiram died in 1966 at 49.

Hartman is the first active NBL player to die.

Pierre was married to Margaret Florence McHugh in September of 1945.

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/hartmpi01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hartmhu01

George Haines

George Freeman Haines, Jr.


Born:
August 2, 1921
Tonawanda, NY

Died:
January 14, 2018
Bethlehem, PA


Career
1939-40 Bucknell University (College) Freshmen
1940-41 Bucknell University (College)
1941-42 Bucknell University (College)
1942-43 Bucknell University (College) 
1943-44 Mellon Institute - Pittsburgh (Independent)
1944-45 Pittsburgh Raiders (NBL)
1945-46 Pittsburgh Guerrentz Packers (Independent)
1946-47 Pittsburgh Leheny (Independent)

Son of notable Pennsylvania pastor George (b. 1891) and Bertha (Burns) Haines. George Sr. also went to Bucknell, graduating in 1913. The Haines Family moved to Wyoming, PA, in 1929. In 1943, he graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering and later earned a Masters Degree at Pitt. He worked at the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research before joining Bethlehem Steel in 1960. He worked there until retiring in 1982.


George married LaVerne Frances (1925-2005) in March of 1952. The had a son and a daughter.

Source:
Obituary

LaVerne's Obit




Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/hainege01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hainege01
https://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/george-haines/

Jim Glass

James Elwin Glass


Born:
September 10, 1919
Ossain, IN

Died:
February 8, 1972
Fort Wayne, IN


Career
1937-38 South Side High School - Fort Wayne, IN (High School)
1938-39 South Side High School - Fort Wayne, IN (High School)
1942-43 University of Toledo (College)  Freshman
1943-44 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (Independent)
1944-45 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)

Had no birth or death information. Just some high school information, and some erroneous college info.

His high school yearbook from his junior year (38-39) states that because he turns 20, he will not be eligible to play in his senior year. This puts his birth year around 1919 or 1920.
http://www.mocavo.com/South-Side-High-School-1939-Fort-Wayne-in/403150/104

Glass only played on season for UT, and served in the military prior to joining the Pistons.


Glass missed a lot of the 1937-38 season battling pneumonia and lost twenty pounds.

He married Rita Bobay in 1945.

- Update 3/15/2018 - 

Confirmed from family member the identity. Originally I thought he was James Lowell Glass (Jan. 17, 1920 - Aug. 29, 1969).

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/g/glassja01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=glassji01

Ted Fritsch

Theodore Edward Fritsch


Born:
October 31, 1920
Spencer, WI

Died:
October 4, 1979
Green Bay, WI


Career
Spencer High School - Wisconsin (High School)
1940-41 Central State Teachers College - Wisconsin (College)
1941-42 Central State Teachers College - Wisconsin (College) 
1942-43 Central State Teachers College - Wisconsin
(College)
1944-45 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1946-47 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1947-48 Mantiwoc Braves (WSBL)
1948-49 Mantiwoc Braves (WSBL)

Ted Fritsch was a multi-sport athlete, playing basketball and football at Central State (now University of Wisconsin -Stevens Point)
Fritsch played fullback for nine seasons for the Packers, and was named All-Pro in 1946. He also played baseball in the Chicago Cubs system in 1944.
Ted died of a heart attack in 1979.


NFL Stats:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FritTe20.htm

Minor League Baseball Stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=fritsc001the


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/f/fritsth01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=fritste01

Homer Fuller

William Homer Fuller


Born:
January 9, 1920
Annona, TX

Died:
March 25, 2007
Dallas, TX


Career
1935-36 Annona High School - Texas (High School)
1936-37 Annona High School - Texas (High School)
1937-38 Annona High School - Texas (High School)
1939-40 East Texas State (College)
1940-41 East Texas State (College)
1941-42 East Texas State (College) 
1944-45 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1945-46 Adamson High School - Dallas (High School) Head coach
1946-47 Adamson High School - Dallas (High School) Head coach
1947-48 Adamson High School - Dallas (High School) Head coach
1948-49 Adamson High School - Dallas (High School) Head coach
1949-50 Adamson High School - Dallas (High School) Head coach
1950-51 Adamson High School - Dallas (High School) Head coach
1951-52 Adamson High School - Dallas (High School) Head coach
1952-53 Adamson High School - Dallas (High School) Head coach
1953-54 Adamson High School - Dallas (High School) Head coach

Fuller was the ninth of ten children born in Annona, Texas, to Samuel Alexander (1869-1945) and Minnie Elizabeth Wright Fuller (1877-1931). After attending East Texas (now Texas A&M), where he was two-time All-Conference as well as a member of the tennis team, Fuller entered the U.S. Navy but was rejected because of vascular problems in his legs. He played a season for Oshkosh before returning to Dallas where he taught and coached basketball. He later worked as a basketball and football official, and was a member of the officiating crew for the first college football game played at the Houston Astrodome.
Fuller died in 2007 following a stroke.

He married Gussie Lee (1921-2012) in April of 1949.

Sources:
Univ of North Texas - Obit
Dallas Morning News Obit

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/f/fulleho01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=fulleho01

Hank Evans

Henry George Evans (Evanoski)


Born:
December 6, 1914
Stoneboro, PA

Died:
January 1, 2000 
Hermitage, PA


Career
Sharon High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1934-35 McKeesport Willigs (Independent)
1935-36 Wilmerding YMCA (Independent)
1936-37 Wilmerding YMCA (Independent)
1937-38 Westinghouse Air Brake Five (Independent)
1939-40 Westinghouse Air Brake Five (Independent)
1939-40 McKeesport Big Five (Independent)
1940-41 McKeesport Big Five (Independent)
1941-42 Hagerstown Conoco Oilers (Independent)
1941-42 Cumberland Collegians (Independent)
1943-44 Pittsburgh Corbetts (Independent) 
1944-45 Pittsburgh Raiders (NBL)
1945-46 Pittsburgh Raiders (Independent)

Hank Evans was a starter for the Raiders that season. An article in 1941 puts him on the Pittsburgh tournament team in 1941, along with Joe Proska. Proska was a teammate of his on the Raiders, so it makes sense that they would play for the Raiders. I found a man named Henry G. Evans, who is from Sharon, Pennsylvania, who, like Proska, was born in 1914. According to the article I read, before Evans became a player in the steel industry, he was a basketball star at Sharon HS. His height in the article is only off an inch from the biographical listing.



Article from the Uniontown Morning Herald refers to him as "Hank Evanoski" from "Westinghouse Airbrake"



Sources:
Article on Henry G. Evans
Henry G's Wife's Obit
Cumberland Evening Times, November 25, 1941
Uniontown Morning Herald, Feb 9, 1939

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/e/evansha01n.html
www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=evansha01

Bill Durkin

William J. Durkin


Born:
April 22, 1922
Illinois

Died:
November 19, 2012



Career
High School - (High School)
1939-40 Loyola University - Chicago (College)
1940-41 Loyola University - Chicago (College)
1941-42 Loyola University - Chicago (College)
1942-43 Loyola University - Chicago (College) 
1943-44 Mt. Carmel High School (Chicago) Head coach
1944-45 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1945-46 Mt. Carmel High School (Chicago) Head coach
1946-47 Mt. Carmel High School (Chicago) Head coach
1947-48 Mt. Carmel High School (Chicago) Head coach
1948-49 Mt. Carmel High School (Chicago) Head coach
1949-50 Mt. Carmel High School (Chicago) Head coach
1950-51 Mt. Carmel High School (Chicago) Head coach
1951-52 Mt. Carmel High School (Chicago) Head coach
1952-53 Mt. Carmel High School (Chicago) Head coach
1953-54 Mt. Carmel High School (Chicago) Head coach
1954-55 Mt. Carmel High School (Chicago) Head coach
1943-44 Mt. Carmel High School (Chicago) Head coach

Played one game for Sheboygan. Was a successful coach at Mt. Carmel for over 10 years. He served in the military during World War 2.


Married to Rosemary Murphy (1923-2014).



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/d/durkibi01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=durkibi01

Freddie Crum

Frederick William Crum


Born:
December 3, 1912
Pittsburgh, PA

Died:
July 11, 1987 
Pittsburgh, PA


Career
1930-31 Schenley High School - (High School)
1931-32 Pittsburgh (AAU)
1932-33 Pittsburgh (AAU)
1933-34 McKeesport Willigs (Independent)
1934-35 Pittsburgh Willigs (Independent)
1934-35 Wilmerding YMCA (Independent)
1935-36 Wilmerding YMCA (Independent)
1935-36 Pittsburgh Preps (Independent)
1936-37 Wilmerding YMCA (Independent)
1937-38 Westinghouse Air Brake Five (Independent)
1938-39 Hyatt Big Five (Independent)
1938-39 McKeesport Big Five (Independent)
1939-40 Cardon Big Five (Independent)
1939-40 Westinghouse Air Brake Five (Independent) - Head coach / player
1940-41 McKeesport Big Five (Independent)
1940-41 Pittsburgh Pirates (Independent)
1941-42 Hagerstown Conoco Oilers (Independent)
1941-42 Cumberland Collegians (Independent)
1943-44 Pittsburgh Corbetts (Independent) 
1944-45 Pittsburgh Raiders (NBL)
1945-46 Pittsburgh Raiders (Independent)
1946-47 Pittsburgh Pirates (Independent)
1946-47 Pittsburgh Pirates (Independent)
1947-48 Pittsburgh Pirates (Independent)
1948-49 Pittsburgh / McKeesport Pirates / Merchants (AABL) Head coach / player

Crum was a very popular and skilled player in Pennsylvania in the 1930's. He was an alternate for the 1936 US Olympic Basketball Team. I didn't find a heck of a lot about him after the 1940's.


Married to Violet Stratton (d. 1971). 



Source:
Cumberland Evening Times, November 25, 1941
Grave

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/c/crumfr01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=crumfr01

Ralph Churchfield

Ralph Lester Churchfield


Born:
January 1, 1918
East McKeesport, PA

Died:
October 7, 1995
North Versailles, PA


Career
1932-33 East McKeesport High School - Pittsburgh (High School)
1933-34 East McKeesport High School - Pittsburgh (High School)
1934-35 East McKeesport High School - Pittsburgh (High School)
1935-36 Washington & Jefferson (College) Freshmen

Switchgear (Independent)
1944-45 Westinghouse AA (Independent)

1944-45 Pittsburgh Raiders (NBL)
1945-46 Pittsburgh Pirates (Independent)
1946-47 Pittsburgh Pirates (Independent)
1946-47 Donora Pirates (Independent) - Head Coach
1948-49 St. Thomas HS - Pennsylvania (High School)
1949-50 St. Thomas HS - Pennsylvania (High School)
1950-51 St. Thomas HS - Pennsylvania (High School)
1951-52 St. Thomas HS - Pennsylvania (High School)



Ralph was married to Martha Merkovsky and later was married to Marjory Mihalco. He had two daughters and four sons. He died of a heart attack in 1995.


Sources:
Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame
Daily Courier, March 4, 1935
Daily Republican, January 13, 1936
Pittsburgh Press, March 10, 1935
Pittsburgh Press, January 30, 1945
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, October 9, 1995


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/c/churcra01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=churcra01

Mike Bytzura

Michael John Bytzura


Born:
June 18, 1922
Duquesne, PA

Died:
January 24, 1989
Duquesne, PA


Career
1940-41 Duquesne High School - Pittsburgh (High School)
1942-43 Long Island University (College)
1943-44 Long Island University (College) 
1944-45 Cleveland Allmen Transfers (NBL)
1945-46 Cleveland Allmen Transfers (NBL)
1946-47 Pittsburgh Ironmen (BAA)
1947-48 Altoona Edwards / Pitts / Railroaders (AABL)
1948-49 Altoona Flyers (AABL)
1949-50 Altoona Flyera (AABL)
1950-51 Altoona Flyers (AABL)

Born in Pennsylvania to John and Mary Bytzura, Mike grew up in Pittsburgh and played a lot of basketball in Pennsylvania and Ohio. He and his brother George both played at Duquesne HS.

He was married to Gertrude Harcher and had a son.


Source:
Pittsburgh Press, March 16, 1941
Pittsburgh Press, January 25, 1989

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/b/bytzumi01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bytzumi01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=bytzumi01

Irv Brenner

Irving Charles Brenner


Born:
May 30, 1913
Pittsburgh, PA

Died:
January 20, 1991 
North Miami Beach, FL


Career
1927-28 Fifth Avenue High School - Pittsburgh (High School)
1928-29 Fifth Avenue High School - Pittsburgh (High School)
1929-30 Fifth Avenue High School - Pittsburgh (High School)
1930-31 Duquesne University  (College)  Freshmen
1931-32 Duquesne University  (College)
1932-33 Duquesne University  (College)
1933-34 Duquesne University  (College) 
1934-35 Pittsburgh YMHA (Independent)
1935-36 Pittsburgh YMHA (MBC)
1936-37 Pittsburgh YMHA (MBC)
1944-45 Pittsburgh Raiders (NBL)
1945-46 Youngstown Bears (NBL)
1944-45 Pittsburgh Raiders (Independent)
1946-47 Youngstown Bears (NBL)

Brenner was born in Pittsburgh to Harry Brenner and Bessie Martin. He went to Fifth Avenue HS before a successful basketball career at Duquesne.

He was married to Blanche Katz




Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/b/brennir01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=brennir01

Tom Becker

Thomas W. Becker


Born:
May 17, 1923
Dover, OH

Died:
January 24, 1991 
Dover, OH


Career
1939-40 Dover High School - Ohio (High School)
1943-44 Akron Shulans (Independent)
1943-44 Cleveland Summits (Cleveland Industrial)
1944-45 Cleveland Allmen Transfers (NBL)


Played one game for Cleveland.

- Update 8/25/16 -

Found Thomas W. Becker from Dover. He fits the bill, played HS basketball at Dover HS, played around at Akron and found his way to Cleveland. Good fit, declaring it so.

He could also be Thomas George Becker (1923-1993) from Vermilion, Ohio. It's closer to Cleveland, but I don't think it is him. This Tom Becker played HS football, but no sign of basketball anywhere.




Source:
Coshocton Tribune, March 6, 1940
Akron Beacon-Journal, September 14, 1941
Akron Beacon-Journal, March 23, 1944
Akron Beacon-Journal, February 1, 1951



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/b/becketo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=becketo01

Bill Ash

William Ash


Born:



Died:
 



Career
1944-45 Chicago American Gears (NBL)


Played two games for Chicago. Not much to go on. There was a Bill Ash who played football for Iowa in the 1930's. Athletic enough to possibly be our player, but not likely. His name might also be spelled "Ashe"





Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/a/ashwi01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=ashbi01

1944-45 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)

1944-45 SHEBOYGAN REDSKINS
NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Western Division 
Finished: 19-11 .633, 1st place

Western Division Playoff - Defeated Chicago, 2-1
Championship - Lost to Fort Wayne, 3-2

• Head Coach: Dutch Dehnert  (April 5, 1898 - April 20, 1979)

PLAYERS:

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

Biography

• Bill Durkin (April 22, 1922 - November 19, 2012)

Biography

• Bob Holm (January 22, 1919 - April 14, 2002)

Biography

• Tony Kelly (February 18, 1919 - March 1, 1987)

Biography

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

Biography

• Al Lucas (July 4, 1922 - April 26, 1995)

Biography

• Al Moschetti (January 1, 1920 - December 10, 2007)

Biography

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

Biography

• John Posewitz (August 9, 1906 - April 11, 1994)

Biography

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

Biography

• Hal Tidrick (April 4, 1915 - April 2, 1974)

Biography

1944-45 Pittsburgh Raiders (NBL)

1944-45 PITTSBURGH RAIDERS
NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Eastern Division 
Finished: 7-23 .233, 3rd place

Western Division Playoff - Lost to Fort Wayne, 2-0

• Head Coach: Joe Urso (September 17, 1916 - April 27, 1991) Also played, see below

PLAYERS:

• Irving Brenner (May 31, 1913 - January 20, 1991)

Biography

• Ralph Churchfield (January 1, 1918 - October 7, 1995)

Biography

• Fred Crum (December 3, 1912 - July 11, 1987)

Biography

• Hank Evans (December 6, 1914 - January 1, 2000)

Biography

• George Haines (August 2, 1921 - January 14, 2018)
  

Biography

• Huck Hartman (October 23, 1920 - March 25, 1946)

Biography

• Nat Hickey (January 30, 1902 - September 16, 1979)

Biography

• Paul Kessy (May 17, 1915 - January 3, 1971)

Biography

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

Biography

• Sid Levine (July 9, 1918 - June 10, 1999)

Biography

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

Biography

• John Novotny (January 29, 1918 - July 14, 2006)

Biography

• Joe Proksa (June 30, 1914 - October 25, 1999)

Biography

• Jack Scarry (May 29, 1917 - November 33, 1983)

Biography

• Al Schrecker (July 23, 1917 - January 4, 2000)

Biography

• Johnny Stevenson  (March 25, 1913 - April 1998)

Biography

• Joe Urso (September 17, 1916 - April 27, 1991)

Biography

• Matt Vaniel (November 14, 1919 - January 1, 1981)

Biography

• Frank Vukosic (April 8, 1915 - May 17, 1989)

Biography