Stan Weber

Stanley Ray Weber


Born:
July 28, 1925
Pettssville, OH

Died:
January 8, 2011
Rossford, OH


Career
1946-47 Bowling Green State University (College)
1947-48 Bowling Green State University (College)
1948-49 Bowling Green State University (College)
1949-50 Bowling Green State University (College)
1950-51 Waterloo Hawks (NPBL)
1951-52 Toledo Mercuries (Independent)

Born in Pettisville, Ohio, to Andrew and Inez Weber, Stan and the family moved to German Ohio around 1930, and Stan joined in the U.S. Army after high school. He served in Hawaii during World War 2 as a cook. Returning from the war, Weber went to Bowling Green wher ehe played basketball. He was drafted by the Knicks in 1950, but chose to play for the Waterloo club in the NPBL. After the league folded, he joined the Toledo Mercuries, who were a touring opponent of the Harlem Globetrotters. After a year on tour, he returned to Ohio and worked for many years as a teacher and coach in Rossford, Ohio.

He married Avelda "Dolly" Johnson (1926-2016) in 1948 and they had two sons and a daughter.

Source:
Grave and Obit

Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=weberst01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/stan-weber/

Bob Vollers

Robert Charles Vollers


Born:
May 15, 1928
Keokuk, IA

Died:
February 4, 1978
Minneapolis. MN


Career
1943-44 Keokuk High School - Iowa (High School)
1944-45 Keokuk High School - Iowa (High School)
1945-46 Keokuk High School - Iowa (High School)
1946-47 University of Iowa (College) Freshmen
1947-48 University of Iowa (College)
1948-49 University of Iowa (College)
1949-50 University of Iowa (College)
1950-51 Waterloo Hawks (NPBL)

Born to Charles and Christina Vollers, Bob grew up in Keokuk, Iowa, and went to the University of Iowa. He played for the Waterloo Hawks in the NPBL. Bob was 49 years old when he died in 1978.

He and his wife, Kaye, had two daughters.

Source:


Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=vollebo01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/bob-vollers/

Bill Tom

William Edward Tom


Born:
August 20, 1927
Harlingen, TX

Died:
June 29, 2004



Career
Highland Park High School - Dallas (High School)
1946-47 Rice University (College)
1947-48 Rice University (College)
1948-49 Rice University (College)
1949-50 Denver Chevrolet (AAU)
1950-51 Louisville Alumnites (NPBL)
1950-51 Fort Sam Houston (Military)
1950-51 Brook Medical Center  (Military)
1951-52 Brook Medical Center  (Military)


On September 19, 1950, Tom signed with the Anderon Packers on the NPBL, but on October 27, just a week before the season opener, he was sold to Louisville. He stayed with Louisville for a couple weeks, but on November 14 he left to serve in the U.S. Army, helping to fight the Korean War.

Source:


Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=tombi01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/bill-tom/

Warren Switzer

Warren Candler Switzer, Jr. 


Born:
July 4, 1925
Houston, TX

Died:
May 10, 1972
Houston, TX


Career
1942-43 Jefferson Davis High School - Houston, TX (High School)
1943-44 Southwestern Louisiana (College)
1946-47 Rice University (College)
1947-48 Rice University (College)
1948-49 Rice University (College)
1949-50 Rice University (College)
1950-51 St. Joseph Ponies - Missouri (Independent)
1950-51 Anderson Packers (NPBL)
1957-58 Rice University (College) Freshmen head coach
1960-61 Rice University (College) Freshmen head coach

After graduating from Jeff Davis HS in Houston, Switzer served in the U.S. Navy during World War 2 (I am assuming his naval training is why he was at SW Louisiana in 1943-44. After his release from the service in August of 1946, Switzer enrolled at Rice. After 4 years at Rice where he scored over 1000 points, Switzer signed with the St Paul Lights on July 26, 1950.

At some point he was let go by the Lights prior to the start of the season, and played with the independent Ponies of St. Joseph. He signed with the Anderson Packers, making his debut with the club on November 4, 1950. He wound up coaching the freshmen basketball team at Rice a  couple of seasons, and was working as an insurance agent when he died of a heart attack in 46 years of age.

Warren was married to Ursula.

Source:
Corsica Daily Sun, July 26, 1950
Brownwood Bulletin, May 11, 1972

Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=switzwa01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/warren-switzer/

Mack Suprunowicz

Makary E. Suprunowicz


Born:
January 17, 1927
Schenectady, NY

Died:
June 4, 2010
Bay City, MI


Career
1943-44 Mont Pleasant High School - Schenectady, NY (High School)
1944-45 Mont Pleasant High School - Schenectady, NY (High School)
1946-47 University of Michigan (College)
1947-48 University of Michigan (College)
1948-49 University of Michigan (College)
1949-50 University of Michigan (College)
1950-51 Denver Refiners (NPBL)

Born to Makary and Ida Suprunowicz, "Mack" grew up in Schenectady and enlisted in the USMC after high school. Discharged because of the end of World War 2, Mack went to the University of Michigan where he teamed with Bob Harrison to form one of the most prolific tandem in Wolverine history. He signed with the Denver Refiners of the NPBL and played with them until the team disbanded.

He was married to Lorraine

Source:
Obituary, Daily Gazette, June 10, 2010

Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=supruma01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/mack-supronowicz/

Jim Stone

James Edward "Boxhead" Stone


Born:
March 29, 1924
Nashville, TN

Died:
June 11, 2005
Winter Haven, FL


Career
1942-43 East High School - Nashville (High School)
1946-47 Austin Peay (College)
1947-48 Austin Peay (College)
1948-49 Austin Peay (College)
1949-50 Austin Peay (College)
1950-51 Louisville Alumnites (NPBL)

Born in Nashville to Clarence and Nelda Stone, Stone went to East High School. After high school, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War 2. He played four years at Austin Peay before being signed by the Alumnites in 1950. He was released on November 14, just two weeks into the season.

He moved to Florida not long after, where he was an avid golfer.

Jim married Alice "Louise" Kaylor (1929-2011) in 1951

Source:
Obituary, The Ledger, June 14, 2005
Leaf Chronicle (Clarksville, TN), June 13, 2005

Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=stoneji01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/jim-stone/

Jack Shelton

John Earl "Jack" Shelton


Born:
August 7, 1928
Stillwater, OK

Died:
July 23, 2003
Stillwater, OK


Career
1944-45 Stillwater High School - Oklahoma (High School)
1945-46 Stillwater High School - Oklahoma (High School)
1946-47 Oklahoma A&M (College)
1947-48 Oklahoma A&M (College)
1948-49 Oklahoma A&M (College)
1949-50 Oklahoma A&M (College)
1950-51 St Paul Lights (NPBL)
1950-51 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)

Born in Stillwater to Earl and Katherine Shelton, Jack was a natural athlete who played both football and basketball at Stillwater HS, named All-State in both sports in his senior year. Growing to a height of 6'7, Shelton was recruited by Coach Hank Iba to play basketball at Oklahoma S&M (now Oklahoma State University), where he played four seasons. He was drafted by the Boston Celtics of the NBA, but chose to sign with the St. Paul Lights in the NPBL instead. When they folded, Shelton joined the Wilkes-Barre Barons in the ABL to finish out the 1950-51 season.

Figuring there was not much of a future for him in professional basketball, Shelton returned home and enlisted in the Air Force, and was station at Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, New Mexico. When his time was up in 1955, he returned to Stillwater to work at the family lumber company. He would eventually take over the company from his father, and became a skilled builder and designer of houses.

He was married Marguerite Goodpaster in 1952.

Source:
Stillwater HS Memorial

Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=sheltja01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/jack-shelton/

Chuck Share

Charles Edward Share


Born:
March 14, 1927
Akron, OH

Died:
June 7, 2012
Chesterfield, MO


Career
1945-46 Western Hills High School - Cincinnati (High School)
1946-47 Bowling Green State University (College)
1947-48 Bowling Green State University (College)
1948-49 Bowling Green State University (College)
1949-50 Bowling Green State University (College)
1950-51 Waterloo Hawks (NPBL)
1951-52 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1952-53 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1953-54 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1953-54 Milwaukee Hawks (NBA)
1954-55 Milwaukee Hawks (NBA)
1955-56 St Louis Hawks (NBA)
1956-57 St Louis Hawks (NBA)

1957-58 St Louis Hawks (NBA)

1958-59 St Louis Hawks (NBA)

1959-60 St Louis Hawks (NBA)

1959-60 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)

Share was the first pick overall in the 1950 NBA draft, selected by the Boston Celtics, but Share chose to play with the Waterloo Hawks in the NPBL instead. After the league collapsed, Share had his NBA property rights with the Celtics transferred to the Fort Wayne Pistons. In December of 1953, the Pistons sent him to the Milwaukee Hawks for Max Zaslofsky. He spent seven seasons with the Hawks, following them when the team relocated to St. Louis. Share was an important part of the 1958 NBA Champion Hawks, and was one of the more popular players on the squad. He was dealt to the Lakers on February 15, 1960 in exchange for Larry Foust, and initially refused to go and was going to quite the game, but he reconsidered and went to Minneapolis in time for the playoffs. At the end of the season, he retired from the game for good..

He started a corrugated container company whichi he sold in 1985, and then he and his wife purchased a farm. Share was 85 when he died in 2012 following a brief illness.

He and his wife, Rose, had two daughters.


Source:
St Louis Post-Dispatch, June 10, 2012
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/celtics-no-1-pick-draft-1950-didn-article-1.3172878

Stats:
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sharech01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=sharech01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/chuck-share/

John Pilch

John A. Pilch


Born:
August 11, 1925
Sheridan, WY

Died:
June 14, 1991
Wyoming


Career
Thermopolis High School - Wyoming (High School)
1947-48 University of Wyoming (College)
1948-49 University of Wyoming (College)
1949-50 University of Wyoming (College)
1950-51 Sheboygan Redskins (NPBL)
1951-52 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)

Pilch graduated from Thermopolis HS and entered the U.S. Army for World War 2. After the war, he went to the University of Wyoming, where he was the team's leading scorer. Drafted by the NBA's Baltimore Bullets in 1950, he chose the play the the Sheboygan Redskins instead. After the demise of the Redskins, he signed with the Minneapolis Lakers in the NBA.

Pilch later became a very successful entrepreneur in the insurance industry.

Source:
Salt Lake Tribune, May 4, 1968
Wyoming Cowboys Hall of Fame

Stats:
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pilchjo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=pilchjo01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/john-pilch/

Gene Peterson

Arthur Gene Peterson 


Born:
September 21, 1927


Died:
March 3, 2004



Career
1943-44 Millard High School - Nebraska (High School)
1944-45 University of Nebraska (College)
1945-46 Kansas University (College)
1948-49 Kansas University (College)
1949-50 Kansas University (College)
1950-51 Kansas City Hi-Spots (NPBL)

After his freshman year at Nebraska, he transferred to Kansas to play under Phog Allen, as well as pursue his education in veterinary medicine. His entered the U.S. Army in 1947, and after two years was back at Kansas.

Hailing from Millard, Nebraska, Peterson is listed in newspapers as Art through 1945, but chose to go by Gene around the time he transferred to Kansas.

Source:
Lincoln Journal Star, December 27, 1943
Lincoln Evening Journal, December 29, 1943

Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=peter01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/gene-peterson/

Claude Overton

Claudell S. Overton


Born:
December 16, 1927
Temple, OK

Died:
April 29, 1996
Norman, OK


Career
McAlester High School - Oklahoma (High School)
1946-47 East Central Oklahoma (College)
1947-48 East Central Oklahoma (College)
1948-49 East Central Oklahoma (College)
1949-50 East Central Oklahoma (College)
1949-50 College All-Stars (Independent)
1950-51 Waterloo Hawks (NPBL)
1950-51 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1952-53 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1955-56 Edmond Memorial High School - Oklahoma (High School) Head coach
1956-57 Bacone Junior College - Muskogee, Oklahoma (College) Head coach
1957-58 Bacone Junior College - Muskogee, Oklahoma (College) Head coach
1958-59 Bacone Junior College - Muskogee, Oklahoma (College) Head coach
1959-60 Bacone Junior College - Muskogee, Oklahoma (College) Head coach

Claude was a baseball and basketball player at East Central Oklahoma, and played minor league baseball in the the Sooner League in 1948 and 1949. Overton was drafted by the Washington Capitols but did not make the team. He played for the Waterloo Hawks and the Wilkes-Barre Barons in 1950-51, and finally made the NBA in 1952 when he signed with the Philadephia Warriors.

Minor League Baseball Stats
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=overto001cla

Source:


Stats:
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/overtcl01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=overtcl01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/claude-overton/

Cas Ostrowski

Kasmer Martin "Cas" Ostrowski


Born:
July 24, 1924
West Wyoming, PA

Died:
March 2, 2000
Wyoming, PA


Career
1939-40 West Wyoming High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1940-41 West Wyoming High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1941-42 University of Scranton (College)
1942-43 University of Scranton (College)
1946-47 Wilkes-Barre Barons (EPBL)
1947-48 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1948-49 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1949-50 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1950-51 Allentown Aces (ABL)
1950-51 Grand Rapids Hornets (NPBL)
1950-51 Carbondale Aces (ABL)
1951-52 Carbondale Aces (ABL)
1951-52 Pottsville Packers (EPBL)

1952-53 Wilkes-Barre Aces (EPBL)
1952-53 Berwick Carbuilders  (EPBL)
1954-55 Williamsport Billies (EPBL)

Ostrowski enrolled at the University of Scranton, and after his sophomore year, he entered the U.S. Navy to serve during World War 2. After the war, he signed with Wilkes-Barre and played them for four seasons, including one on the Eastern League before the team moved to the American League.

Cas was sold to the Aces on October 20, 1950. I am not sure how or exactly when, but he moved to play the Grand Rapids Hornets of the NPBL, appearing in the November 16 and November 17 games. He was injured on November 18 along with fellow Hornets Blackie Towery and Bobby McDermott in a car accident traveling to a game in St. Paul. Ostrowski played only two games for the Hornets before returning to the Aces in the ABL, but the team moved to Carbondale on December 2. He played for other teams out east before retiring from the court.

Cas' brother Joe pitched for the New York Yankees.



Source:
Sheboygan Press, November 20, 1950
Morning Call (Allentown, PA), December 3, 1950
Mauch Chunk Times-News, December 19, 1950
Pittston Gazette, December 18, 1951,

Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=ostroca01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/cas-ostrowski/

Wally Osterkorn

Walter Raymond Osterkorn


Born:
July 6, 1928
Chicago, IL

Died:
January 11, 2012
Scottsdale, AZ


Career
1944-45 Amundsen High School - Chicago (High School)
1945-46 Amundsen High School - Chicago (High School)
1947-48 University of Illinois (College)
1948-49 University of Illinois (College)
1949-50 University of Illinois (College)
1950-51 St. Paul Lights (NPBL)
1950-51 Sheboygan Redskins (NPBL)
1951-52 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1952-53 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1953-54 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1954-55 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)

Drafted by the Chicago Stags of the NBA after graduating from Illinois, Osterkorn chose to play with the St Paul Lights on the NPBL instead. When the Lights folded in mid-season, Osterkorn was reassigned to the Redskins for the remainder of the season. After the NPBL dissolved, Osterkorn went to the Syracuse Nationals in the NBA, where he played four seasons. After quitting basketball, he moved to Phoenix where he worked for Encyclopaedia Brittanica. He died in 2012 after suffering from Alzheimer's Disease.


Source:
Grave and Obit

Stats:
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/osterwa01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=osterwa01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/wally-osterkorn/

Buckshot O'Brien

Ralph Eugene "Buckshot" O'Brien


Born:
April 28, 1928
Henshaw, KY

Died:
August 22, 2018
Clearwater Beach, FL


Career
1943-44 George Washington High School - Indianapolis (High School)
1946-47 Butler University (College)
1947-48 Butler University (College)
1948-49 Butler University (College)
1949-50 Butler University (College)
1950-51 Grand Rapids Hornets (NPBL)
1950-51 Waterloo Hawks (NPBL)
1951-52 Indianapolis Olympians (NBA)
1952-53 Indianapolis Olympians (NBA)
1952-53 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1952-53 Baltimore Bullets (NBA)
1953-54 Indianapolis / Noblesville Mercuries (Indiana Pro Basketball Assoc) Head Coach / Player


The youngest of 13 children, O'Brien set scoring records at Butler before embarking on a professional basketball career. First playing with the Hornets in the NPBL, his contract was reassigned to Waterloo when the Grand Rapids club folded. That summer, with the NPBL being dead, O'Brien headed back home to Indianapolis, signing with the Olympians. In January of 1953, O'Brien was waived and picked up by the Fort Wayne Pistons. His time in Fort Wayne was short, because on February 17, 1953, Fort Wayne traded him along with Jack Kerris and cash to Baltimore for Freddie Scolari and Don Boven. He later worked as an insurance salesman.

Source:
Indianapolis News, December 19, 1982

Stats:
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/obriera01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=obriera01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/ralph-obrien/

Lee Nichols

Lee Nichols


Born:



Died:




Career
1950-51 Kansas City Hi-Spots (NPBL)

Played three games for Kansas City.

Source:


Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=nichole01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/lee-nichols/

Joe Nelson

Joseph Arthur Nelson


Born:
March 16, 1927 
Richfield, UT

Died:
July 20, 2009
Payson, UT


Career
1944-45 Spanish Fork High School - Utah (High School)
1946-47 Brigham Young University (College)
1947-48 Brigham Young University (College)
1948-49 Brigham Young University (College)
1949-50 Brigham Young University (College)
1949-50 College All-Stars (Independent)
1950-51 St. Paul Lights (NPBL)
1950-51 Waterloo Hawks (NPBL)

A graduate of Spanish Fork HS, where he played football and basketball, and also ran track, Nelson joined the army right out of high school. He returned to BYU after his service, and signed with St. Paul of the NPBL after graduating. When St. Paul folded, his contract was reassigned to Waterloo.

He returned to Utah where he too a job at Dugway Proving Ground for a bit before landing at USS Geneva Steel, where he stayed for 31 years.

He married Phyllis Mae White (1929-2004) in 1949 and they had two daughters and a son.

Source:
Obituary


Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=nelsojo01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/joe-nelson/

Chuck Mrazovich

Charles Mrazovich


Born:
February 26, 1924
Ambridge, PA

Died:
November 8, 2020
Hialeah, FL


Career
Ambridge High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1945-46 Ambridge - Pennsylvania (Indpendent)
1947-48 Eastern Kentucky University (College)
1948-49 Eastern Kentucky University (College)
1949-50 Eastern Kentucky University (College)
1950-51 Indianapolis Olympians (NBA)
1950-51 Anderson Packers (NPBL)
1951-52 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1952-53 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1952-53 Russell County High School - Kentucky (High School) Head coach
1953-54 Russell County High School - Kentucky (High School) Head coach
1954-55 Russell County High School - Kentucky (High School) Head coach
1955-56 Russell County High School - Kentucky (High School) Head coach
1956-57 Russell County High School - Kentucky (High School) Head coach
1957-58 Russell County High School - Kentucky (High School) Head coach
1958-59 Franklin County High School - Frankfort, Kentucky (High School) Head coach
1959-60 Franklin County High School - Frankfort, Kentucky (High School) Head coach
1960-61 Franklin County High School - Frankfort, Kentucky (High School) Head coach
1961-62 Franklin County High School - Frankfort, Kentucky (High School) Head coach
1964-65 Hialeah High School -  Florida (High School) Head coach
1965-66 Hialeah High School -  Florida (High School) Head coach
1966-67 Hialeah High School -  Florida (High School) Head coach
1967-68 Hialeah High School -  Florida (High School) Head coach
1968-69 Hialeah High School -  Florida (High School) Head coach
1969-70 Hialeah High School -  Florida (High School) Head coach
1970-71 Hialeah High School -  Florida (High School) Head coach
1971-72 Hialeah High School -  Florida (High School) Head coach
1972-73 Hialeah High School -  Florida (High School) Head coach

Born to Croatian immigrants, Mrazovich entered the U.S. Army after high School. Following World War 2, he played basketball and ran track at Eastern Kentucky. Drafted by the Olympians in the NBA, he was released by the club in January and signed with the Anderson Packers on January 16, 1951. He played pro basketball with the Anderson Packers and the Indianapolis Olympians before heading east to the Wilkes-Barre Barons in the ABL.

He would then become a teacher and long-time high school basketball coach in his home state of Kentucky as well as in Florida. He finally stepped down from coaching in 1973.

"We weren't allowed to dunk, but we would just to show off before the game. I wish I could play the game now." - Chuck Mrazovich, 2008 -

Source:
Croatia.org
EKU Sports Hall of Fame

Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mrazoch01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/chuck-mrazovich/

McNamara

McNamara


Born:



Died:




Career
1950-51 Kansas City Hi-Spots (NPBL)

Played one game for Kansas City

Source:


Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mcnam01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/mcnamara/

Don McMillen

Donald Dean McMillen


Born:
May 7, 1927
Windsor, MO

Died:
September 23, 1995
Fort Myers, FL


Career
1947-48 University of Missouri (College)
1948-49 University of Missouri (College)
1950-51 St. Joseph Ponies - Missouri (Independent)
1950-51 Kansas City Hi-Spots (NPBL)

McMillen was the star pitcher on the baseball team at Mizzou, and also played on the basketball team for a couple years. He signed with the New York Giants of baseball's National League in June of 1949, and was immediately sent to the Class-B club in Trenton, New Jersey. He stayed in the Giants system through 1952, but never got higher than A level. In the off-season of 1950-51, he played with the St. Joseph Ponies, and when they merged with the financially-strapped Hi-Spots in the NPBL on December 8, 1950, he played five games for them.

Minor League Baseball Stats:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mcmill001don

Source:
Mexico Ledger, June 30, 1949

Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mcmildo01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/don-mcmillen/

In Memoriam: Vic Siegel

Former Tri-Cities Blackhawsk player Vic Siegel died last month.

Biography

Obituary from QC Times

DAVENPORT - Victor A. Siegel, 96, of Davenport, passed away on Friday, July 7, 2017, at home.

He was born on August 24, 1920, in Davenport to Arthur W. Siegel and Selma E. L. Siegel. He married Jane E. Robinson on October 24, 1946 in Melrose Highlands, Massachusetts.

Vic attended Davenport Public Schools (Monroe Elementary, West Intermediate, and Davenport High School). He graduated from Davenport High School in 1938, and was president of his class. He earned All-State Basketball honors and was elected to the Iowa State High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 1976. He was a 3-year member of the high school golf team. Recruited by University of Iowa to play basketball, he enrolled in 1938. He played Varsity ball for 3 years and was elected team captain in 1941 and 1942. Selected on All-Big Ten second team in 1942. Selected for All-Decade team for the 1940’s at the University of Iowa. Named University of Iowa Athlete of the Year in 1941. Named Iowa’s Most Valuable Player by WGN radio, Chicago, in 1941. He was also a member of the University of Iowa golf team in 1942.

Vic graduated from college in May of 1942 and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in June of 1942. He served aboard several ships including LST 327 in the European Theatre of Operations, delivering troops and supplies from England to Omaha Beach in France.  While serving on LST 327 during an operation, it was disabled by an enemy mine on August 27, 1944, with loss of life of 22 crewmen. He was discharged in Boston on March 1, 1946.  

Vic played professional basketball with Fitchburg, Mass., in the New England League in 1946 and with the Tri Cities Blackhawks (now Atlanta Hawks) in the National Basketball League in 1947.

Employed at International Harvester East Moline Works as a supervisor for 31 years, Vic retired in 1978. He was employed part-time in the pro shops at Emeis and Duck Creek Golf courses for 32 years. Vic was an avid golfer who shot his age or better over 340 times and recorded 6 hole-in-ones. He volunteered as assistant basketball coach at the Friendly House in Davenport and as a basketball and softball coach at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport.  

Vic was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Richard. He is survived by his wife, Jane; daughter, Linda Baldwin, of Golden, Colorado; son, Victor Siegel, Jr. (Elaine), of Tega Cay, South Carolina; son, Mark Siegel (Maricela), of Boerne, Texas; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A private family service will be held. Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport.

Norm McCool

Norman M. McCool


Born:
September 19, 1927
Evansville, IN

Died:
July 2, 2002
Evansville, IN


Career
1943-44 Bosse High School - Evansville, IN (High School)
1944-45 Bosse High School - Evansville, IN (High School)
1945-46 Purdue University (College)
1950-51 Evansville Agogans (NPBL)

Born to Lester and Minne McCool, Norm lead Bosse HS to two state basketball championships. A talented baseball player also, he was offered a contract with the St Louis Browns but chose to go to college instead. After a year of professional basketball with his hometown Evansville Agogans of the National Professional Basketball League, McCool would later work for the family business, the Coca-Cola Bottling Works.

Norm and his wife, Maxey, had three sons and a daughter.

Source:
Obituary

Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mccoono01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/norm-mccool/

Kenny Mauer

Kenneth J. Mauer, Sr.


Born:
August 11, 1927
Hankinson, ND

Died:
February 26, 2019



Career
1944-45 Cretin-Derham Hall High School - St Paul, Minnesota (High School)
1946-47 St. Thomas College - Minnesota (College)
1947-48 St. Thomas College - Minnesota (College)
1948-49 St. Thomas College - Minnesota (College)
1950-51 St. Paul Lights (NPBL)

Born in North Dakota, Mauer and his family moved to St. Paul when Ken was young. There were six Mauers brothers, and all six played professional baseball. Ken was a better baseball player than he was a basketball player, and signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1944 when Mauer was only 17, and played with the St. Paul affiliate. He played minor league baseball through 1948, and attended St. Thomas College, where he starred on the basketball team. He played for the St. Paul Lights in the NPBL.

Mauer and his wife, Thelms, had five sons and two daughters. Mauer's son, Kenneth Jr, was an NBA referee, another son, Tom, was a referee in the WNBA. Kenneth's great nephew is Minnesota Twins' star Joe Mauer.


Minor League Baseball Stats
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mauer-001ken

Source:
http://tommiesports.com/sports/mbkb/2015-16/releases/20160705n2jb5e
http://www.sctimes.com/story/sports/2014/07/25/mauer-comes-foley-head-baseball-clinic/13195169/

Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mauerke01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/kenny-mauer/

Al Madsen

Albert Matthew Madsen


Born:
January 5, 1921
Milwaukee, WI

Died:
February 23, 1988
San Antonio, TX


Career
1939-40 Boys Tech - Milwaukee (High School)
1940-41 Milwaukee (AAU)
1942-43 Corpus Christi Naval Air Station - Texas (Military)
1943-44 Beeville Naval - California (Military)
1944-45 Fleet City - California (Military)
1945-46 University of Texas (College)
1946-47 University of Texas (College)
1947-48 University of Texas (College)
1948-49 University of Texas (College)
1950-51 Anderson  Packers (NPBL)

Madsen grew up in Milwaukee and after high school, he played some AAU basketball before entering the U.S. Navy at the beginning of World War 2. He managed to play at various naval stations between deployments, and was discharged in 1945. Having enjoyed his time in Texas, he decided to stay there for college. He went to the University of Texas, where he was one of the "Mighty Mice," the Final Four Longhorn team with many players, including Madsen, under 6 feet tall.

Source:
Waco Tribune Herald, January 26, 1947

Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=madseal01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/al-madsen/

Leerah

Leerah


Born:



Died:




Career
1950-51 Kansas City Hi-Spots (NPBL)

Probably from Waterloo, Iowa (?), a guy listed in the box score as "Leerah" was one of four locals who suited up to play for the visiting Kansas City Hi-Spots on January 14, 1951, when they were short players for their game in Waterloo.

Name could be a spelling error or typo, since "Leerah" gets no hits when doing ancestry or newspaper searches. Maybe Lira or Leary?

Source:


Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=leera01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/leerah/

Red Latham

George Washington Truitt "Red" Latham


Born:
August 30, 1927
Converse, LA

Died:
February 15, 1999
Point Blank, TX


Career
1945-46 Louisiana Tech (College)
1947-48 Louisiana Tech (College)
1948-49 Louisiana Tech (College)
1949-50 Louisiana Tech (College)
1950-51 Anderson Packers (NPBL)

Sometimes appears in newspaper articles as Truitt Latham.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/george-latham/

Gene Latham

Eugene Gilbert Latham II


Born:
July 17, 1924
Indiana

Died:
May 10, 2014
Evansville, IN


Career
1941-42 Central High School - Evansville, Indiana (High School)
1948-49 Enos Coals - Oakland City, Indiana (Independent)
1950-51 Evansville Agogans (NPBL) Head coach / player

Latham played basketball at Central in Evansville and then went to school at Indiana University, but did not play basketball. He did play basketball with the Agogans in 1951. Gene had a lengthy career in sales for various companies, and died in 2014.

Source:
Obituary

Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=lathage02
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/gene-latham/

Bob Kohlmeyer

Robert Lee Kohlmeyer


Born:
May 24, 1928
Evansville, IN

Died:
December 29, 2007
Evansville, IN


Career
1942-43 Central High School - Evansville, Indiana (High School)
1943-44 Central High School - Evansville, Indiana (High School)
1944-45 Central High School - Evansville, Indiana (High School)
1945-46 Central High School - Evansville, Indiana (High School)
1946-47 University of Evansville (College)
1947-48 University of Evansville (College)
1948-49 University of Evansville (College)
1949-50 University of Evansville (College)
1950-51 Evansville Agogans (NPBL)

A very talented basketball player from Evansville, Bob played for the Agogans when the team entered the NPBL in early 1951. He worked for many years as a salesman for Dale Sales Company and Cooke. Chevrolet

He married Doris McLoughlin in 1949. They had a son and a daughter prior to her death in 1957.

Source:
Grave and Obituary


Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=kohlmbo01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/bob-kohlmeyer/

Walt Kersulis

Walter Thomas Kersulis


Born:
November 8, 1926
Illinois

Died:
April 14, 1973
Richmond, VA


Career
1942-43 East St. Louis High School - Illinois (High School)
1943-44 East St. Louis High School - Illinois (High School)
1944-45 University of Illinois (College)
1947-48 University of Illinois (College)
1948-49 University of Illinois (College)
1949-50 University of Illinois (College)
1950-51 Louisville Alumnites (NPBL)

Kersulis was a two-sport athlete (basketball and football) at East St Louis HS and at Illinois, setting Illini receving records on the gridiron. He served in the U.S. Army after his freshman year but returned to college after the war. After playing some pro basketball for the Louisville club in the NPBL, Kersulis moved to Richmond, Virginia, where he worked at Reynolds Metal as a manager of the data processing department. We died of leukemia in 1973 at the young age of 46.

Source:
Obituary, St Louis Dispatch, April 16, 1973

Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=kersuwa01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/walt-kersulis/

Rallo Johnson

Rallo Ray Johnson


Born:
April 16, 1926
Richmond, UT

Died:
January 19, 2008
Rocklin, CA


Career
North Cache High School - Richmond, UT (High School)
1946-47 Utah State University (College)
1947-48 Utah State University (College)
1948-49 Utah State University (College)
1949-50 Utah State University (College)
1950-51 Kansas City Hi-Spots (NPBL)

After high school, Johnson entered the U.S. Army and served in Europe during World War 2. He went to Utah State and played four years on their basketball team. He played briefly professionally for the Kansas City Hi-Spots before moving into teaching and coaching.

He married ArDean Albiston in 1951 and they had three children.

Source:
Obituary, Logan Herald Journal, January 22, 2008

Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=johnsra02
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/rallo-johnson/

Bob Isaacs

Robert Spencer Isaacs


Born:
September 5, 1927
Bristol, VA

Died:
May 15, 2007
Fort Wayne, IN


Career
1945-46 Central High School - Evansville, Indiana (High School)
1946-47 Central High School - Evansville, Indiana (High School)
1947-48 Arkansas State (College)
1949-50 Enos Coals - Oakland City, Indiana (Independent)
1950-51 Evansville Agogans (NPBL)
Funk Houser Post (Semi-Pro)

Born to William and Lucille Isaacs in Virginia, Bob went to Central High in Evansville where he played basketball and ran track. He attended Arkansas State and returned to the Evansville area where he play pro and semi-pro basketball for a bit, including the Agogans when they joined the NPBL.
Bob and his wife, Jacklyn, had two sons and two daughters.

Source:
Obituary

Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=isaacbo01

Paul Hicks

Paul Desha Hicks


Born:
August 8, 1928
Cynthiana, KY

 :




Career
1947-48 Eastern Kentucky University (College)
1948-49 Eastern Kentucky University (College)
1949-50 Eastern Kentucky University (College)
1950-51 Louisville Alumnites (NPBL)

He graduated from Eastern Kentucky in 1950 and was drafted by Tri-Cities of the NBA. However, Hicks decided to stay close to home and signed with the Alumnites that October.

Source:


Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hickspa01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/paul-hicks/

Paul Hickey

Paul Edward Hickey


Born:
September 20, 1926
Denver, CO

Died:
November 28, 2012
Lake Havasu, AZ??


Career
1942-43 Hoover High School - San Diego (High School)
1943-44 Hoover High School - San Diego (High School)
1946-47 University of Denver (College)
1947-48 University of Denver (College)
1948-49 University of Denver (College)
1949-50 University of Denver (College)
1950-51 Denver Refiners (NPBL)

Born in Denver, Hickey grew up in San Diego and after high school entered the U.S. Navy for World War 2. After the war, he went to the University of Denver where he played basketball. After graduating, he played for the Refiners until the team collapsed. He returned to San Diego where he worked as an accountant and estimator until retiring to Lake Havasu, Arizona.

Paul had six children.

Source:
Obituary, San Diego Tribune, January 9, 2013

Stats:
www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hickepa01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/paul-hickey/

Al Henningsen

Allan Clair "Al" Henningsen


Born:
June 9, 1928
Atlantic, IA

Died:
May 7, 2016
Columbia, MO


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

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

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

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

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

Hal Haskins

Harold Francis Haskins


Born:
October 29, 1924
Page, ND

Died:
May 31, 2003
St. Paul. MN


Career
1941-42 Alexandria High School - Minnesota (High School)
1942-43 Alexandria High School - Minnesota (High School)
1946-47 Hamline University (College)
1947-48 Hamline University (College)
1948-49 Hamline University (College)
1949-50 Hamline University (College)
1950-51 St. Paul Lights (NPBL)
1950-51 Waterloo Hawks (NPBL)

After graduating from Alexandria HS, Hal joined the U.S. Navy where he served his country during World War 2. After the war, he enrolled at Hamline where he lead the school to the NAIA all four years, including the title in 1949. He signed with the St. Paul Lights in the NPBL, and when they folded, he was moved over to the Waterloo Hawks. He returned to St Paul where he worked as a teacher and a coach for 30 years.

He married Cheris Otte in 1949 and they had one son and one daughter.

Source:
Obituary, Star Tribune (Minnpls), June 4, 2003
Grave and Obit

Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=haskiha01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/hal-haskins/

Joe Hafele

Joseph A. Hafele


Born:
June 12, 1928
Tobinsport, IN

Died:
February 20, 2012
Cannelton, IN


Career
1944-45 Cannelton High School - Indiana (High School)
1945-46 Cannelton High School - Indiana (High School)
1946-47 University of Evansville (College)
1947-48 University of Evansville (College)
1948-49 University of Evansville (College)
1949-50 University of Evansville (College)
1950-51 Hawesville Dutchmen (Independent)
1950-51 Evansville Agogans (NPBL)

1951-52 Cannelton High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1952-53 Cannelton High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1953-54 Cannelton High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1954-55 Cannelton High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1955-56 Cannelton High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1956-57 Cannelton High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1957-58 Cannelton High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1958-59 Cannelton High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1959-60 Cannelton High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1960-61 Cannelton High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach

A star basketball player at the University of Evansville, Hafele played some independent basketball before joining the Agogans when they joined the NPBL. Hafele was a long-time coach and teacher who also played a great deal of semi-pro baseball around Indiana.

He married Ida Mae in 1950 and they had two daughters and two sons.

Source:
Obituary

Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hafeljo01
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/joe-hafele/

Johnny Givens

John W. Givens, Jr.


Born:
May 12, 1926
McHenry, KY

Died:
December 8, 2009
Louisville, KY


Career
1941-42 McHenry High School - Kentucky (High School)
1942-43 McHenry High School - Kentucky (High School)
1943-44 McHenry High School - Kentucky (High School)
1946-47 Western Kentucky University (College)
1947-48 Western Kentucky University (College)
1948-49 Western Kentucky University (College)
1949-50 Western Kentucky University (College)
1950-51 Sheboygan Redskins (NPBL)
1952-53 New Albany High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1953-54 New Albany High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1954-55 New Albany High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1955-56 New Albany High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1956-57 New Albany High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1957-58 New Albany High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1958-59 New Albany High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1961-62 Marion High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1962-63 Marion High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1963-64 Marion High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1964-65 Highlands University - Las Vegas, NM (College) Head coach
1965-66 Highlands University - Las Vegas, NM (College) Head coach
1966-67 Highlands University - Las Vegas, NM (College) Head coach
1967-68 Kentucky Colonels (ABA) Head coach

Givens starred on the court at McHenry, being named the team's MVP in his sophomore season. After high school, he served in the military during World War 2 before enrolling at Western Kentucky. He played for the Sheboygan Redskins for one season before heading into coaching. He coached at the high school level for many years before coaching at Highlands University. He coached the ABA's Kentucky Colonels for one season.

Johnny and his wife had a son and a daughter.


Source:
Grave and Obituary


Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=givenjo01