Bill Zirkel

William Frederick Zirkel


Born:
July 20, 1927
New York, NY

Died:
October 24, 2011
Phoenix, AZ ??


Career
1946-47 West Virginia State University (College)
1947-48 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1948-49 Bridgeport Newfield Steelers (ABL)
1949-50 Bridgeport Aer-A-Sols (ABL)
1951-52 Bridgeport Roesslers (ABL)
1952-53 Middletown Guards (ABL)
1952-53 Scranton Miners (ABL)

Zirkel went to WVSU, scoring 262 points as a freshman, but left school after that year.


Source:


Stats:

Bill Zeiss

William Lawrence Zeiss


Born:
June 7, 1925
Philadelphia, PA

Died:
May 2, 1995
Phoenix, AZ


Career
1941-42 Yeadon High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1942-43 St. Joseph's University (College)
1945-46 St. Joseph's University (College)
1946-47 Brookline - Philadelphia (Independent)
1947-48 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1948-49 St. Hedwig - Philadelphia (Independent)

Zeiss' time at St. Joseph's was interrupted by his service in World War 2. He played a couple years of pro basketball after the war.

Bill was married to Elizabeth (1925-2014).

Source:


Stats:

Pete Yousaitis

Peter John Yousaitis


Born:
September 10, 1917
Reading, PA

Died:
December 23, 1995
Reading, PA



Career
1935-36 Reading High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1935-36 Hamburg Coca-Colas - Pennsylvania (Independent)
1937-38 Regar's Sweet Shop - Reading, PA (Independent)
1938-39 Regar's Sweet Shop - Reading, PA (Independent)
1939-40 Reading Republicans (TCL)
1940-41 Reading Republicans (TCL)
1942-43 Catholic Central High School - Reading, PA (High School) Head coach
1945-46 Hazleton Mountaineers (PSL)
1946-47 Hazleton Mountaineers (EPBL)
1947-48 Lancaster Roses (ABL)
1947-48 Lancaster Red Roses (EPBL)
1947-48 Hazleton Mountaineers (EPBL)
1947-48 Pottsville Packers (EPBL)

1948-49 Reading / Allentown Keys (EPBL)  

1949-50 Reading Rangers (EPBL)
1950-51 Hazleton High School - Pennsylvania (High School) Head coach

Pete worked as a postal employee while playing basketball in the 1940's.

Source:


Stats:

Preston Wilcox

Preston R. "Sy" Wilcox


Born:
December 27, 1923
Youngstown, OH

Died:
August 12, 2006
Harlem, NY


Career
Morehouse College (College)
CCNY (College)
1947-48 Brooklyn Gothams (ABL)
1948-49 Brooklyn Gothams (ABL)
1950-51 Bristol Tramps (EBL-Ct)
1950-51 Saratoga Harlem Yankees (ABL)

One of the first black players in the ABL, Wilcox, born in Youngstown, Ohio, would eventually move to Harlem where we would become a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement in the United States in the 1960's. He was a popular speaker and leader in the Harlem community, and would often work with Malcolm X on various black issues. His main focus was on education, working to maintain a high level of education not just in school in predominately-black Harlem, but in other black neighborhoods elsewhere in the country. He had gotten his Masters Degree from Columbia in 1956, and taught there for many years. He founded Afram Associates in 1968 which collected at cataloged thousands of sources of black history and culture for future citizens to read, review and learn. In 1970, he was seriously injured in an auto accident. He had fractures in his spine, and his recovery was slow and painful. He suffered from osteoporosis later in life.

Professor Wilcox died in 2006.

Source:
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, January 17, 1948
History Pin
blackpast.org
Topica.com
Interview with Abdul Alkalimat

Stats:

Red Patrick Walsh

Patrick Maurice "Red" Walsh
also played under the name Red Patricks


Born:
March 17, 1924
Carbondale, PA

Died:
March 26, 2002
Noblesville, IN


Career
1946-47 Carbondale Pioneers (PSL)
1947-48 Elizabeth Braves (ABL)
1947-48 Carbondale Pioneers (PSL) 
1947-48 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1947-48 Scranton Miners (ABL)

1949-50 Berwick Car-Builders (EPBL)
1949-50 St Nicholas High School - Wilkes-Barre, PA (High School) Head coach

First, we have Red Patricks, listed as playing with the Elizabeth Braves and Paterson Crescents of the ABL in 1947-48. Then we have Pat Walsh, who played with the Scranton Miners of the ABL. Turns out it is the same guy. "Red Patricks" or "Red Patrick" lead the PSL in scoring in 1946-47. Oct 6, 1947 issue of Wilkes Barre Record refers to "Red Pat Walsh" trying out with the Barons. Jan 28, 1948 Wilkes Barre Record notes him as Red (Patricks) Walsh. Walsh is also referred to as leading the PSL in the prior season.

Okay, now that we have that straightened out, who is he?

I found a Patrick Walsh of the right approximate age born in Carbondale but dying in Indianapolis. His obituary in the Indianapolis Star lists him as a former phys-ed and health teacher in Carbondale (a good hint) who graduated from East Stroudsburg University in Scranton in 1948. This puts him in the right place at the right time. No mention of playing basketball, however. The obituary also mention his military service, so I went and found his draft papers in ancestry.com. List on his paperwork is his hair color: red. I think we got our man!

Born to Maurice and Ruth Walsh, Red served in the army during World War 2. After the war, he lead the Penn State League in scoring in the 1946-47 season when he played with Carbondale. He worked out with the Wilkes-Barre Barons prior to the 1947-48 season but was not offered a contract. He signed with the Elizabeth Braves, but that franchise folded after just one game. He joined the Paterson Crescents in December, and then in February played with the Scranton Miners (both the Penn State League version AND the ABL version), helping the ABL squad into the playoffs. He graduated from East Stroudsburg University in 1948, and went into teaching. After serving again in the Korean War, he would become a vice-principal and principal in Waymart and West Canaan, Pennsylvania, and would eventually become the superintendent for the Carbondale Area School District.

He married Estalla Osborn (1926-2012) in 1949 and they had one daughter.


Source:
Wilkes-Barre Record, October 6, 1947
Wilkes-Barre Record, January 28, 1948
Noblesville Ledger, March 28, 2002


Stats:

Warrick

Warrick


Born:



Died:




Career
1947-48 Brooklyn Gothams (ABL)

Supposedly played on game for Brooklyn, scoring six points. Cannot find much else, but there was a Duane Warrick who was a good player at Lafayette College 1946-48. Fairly certain it is not him, though.

Source:


Stats:

Bill Wade

William Joseph Wade


Born:
January 31, 1927
Hartford, CT

Died:
August 30, 1991
Hartford, CT


Career
1944-45 East Hartford High School (High School)
1946-47 Anderson Jewels - Connecticut (Independent)
1947-48 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL)
1948-49 Burnside Eagles - Hartford (Independent)
1950-51 Bristol Tramps (EBL-Ct)
1951-52 Burnside Eagles - Hartford (Independent)

Wade entered the U.S. Marine Corps after high school, and was discharged in 1946 as the troops continued to come home. We played pro and semi-pro basketball around Hartford for a couple years.

Source:


Stats:

Vince Verdeschi

Vincent Felix Verdeschi


Born:
March 24, 1925
New York, NY

Died:
August 16, 1965
Peekskill, NY


Career
1944-45 Long Island University (College)
1945-46 Long Island University (College)
1946-47 Long Island University (College)
1947-48 Bridgeport Springwoods (EBL-Ct)
1947-48 Mohawk Indians (NYSL)
1947-48 Pottsville Packers (EPBL)
1947-48 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1948-49 Mohawk Indians (NYSL)
1948-49 New Haven Hulls Red Devils (EBL-Ct)
1948-49 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1949-50 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1950-51 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1952-53 Scranton Miners (ABL)

1953-54  Williamsport Billes (EPBL) 
1954-55 Hudson High School - Montrose, NY (High School) Head coach
1955-56 Hudson High School - Montrose, NY (High School) Head coach
1956-57 Hudson High School - Montrose, NY (High School) Head coach
1957-58 Hudson High School - Montrose, NY (High School) Head coach
1958-59 Hudson High School - Montrose, NY (High School) Head coach
1959-60 Hudson High School - Montrose, NY (High School) Head coach
1960-61 Hudson High School - Montrose, NY (High School) Head coach
1961-62 Hudson High School - Montrose, NY (High School) Head coach
1962-63 Hudson High School - Montrose, NY (High School) Head coach
1963-64 Hudson High School - Montrose, NY (High School) Head coach
1964-65 Hudson High School - Montrose, NY (High School) Head coach

He served in the Army during World War 2, coaching the base basketball team.

Verdeschi suffered a heart attack at home in August of 1965 and was pronounced dead upon arrival to the hospital. He was 40 years old.



Source:
Poughkeepsie Journal, August 17, 1965

Stats:

Aaron Tanitsky

Aaron Tanitsky


Born:
January 14, 1926
Hazleton, PA

Died:
September 13, 2019
Eagleville, PA


Career
1941-42 Southern High School - Philadelphia (High School)
1942-43 Southern High School - Philadelphia (High School)
1942-43 Neighborhood Center - Philadelphia (Independent)
1943-44 University of Pennsylvania (College)
1943-44 New Cumberland Center - Harrisburg, PA (Independent)
1945-46 Valley Forge Hospital - Pennsylvania (Indpendent)
1945-46 Ohev Shalom - Chester, PA (Indpendent)
1947-48 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1948-49 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1949-50 Sunbury Mercuries (EPBL)


Tanitsky later wound up being a policeman and detective in Philly. He married Renee Berger and they had one daughter and two sons.

Source:


Stats:

Joey Thomas

Joseph "Whitey" Thomas


Born:
November 12, 1919
Dunmore, PA

Died:
November 24, 1997
Fairless Hills, PA


Career
1935-36 Technical High School - Scranton, Pennsylvania (High School)
1936-37 Technical High School - Scranton, Pennsylvania (High School)
1937-38 Technical High School - Scranton, Pennsylvania (High School)
1938-39 St. Thomas College - now University of Scranton (College)
1939-40 University of Scranton (College)
1940-41 University of Scranton (College)
1941-42 University of Scranton (College)
1942-43 White's Cafe - Wilkes-Barre (Independent)
1942-43 Jefferson Barracks - Missouri (Military)
1946-47 Scranton Miners (PSL)
1946-47 University of Scranton (College) Assistant coach
1947-48 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1947-48 Williamsport Billies (EPBL)
1947-48 Scranton Miners (ABL)

How to find a guy with such a common name?

Knowing that he went to the University of Scranton, I was able to locate a questionnaire he filled out in his senior year that listed his address in Scranton (3317 Pittston) and that he was born in 1919. A search of old Scranton city directories showed a Mary and Frank Thomas living there in 1949. Turns out Frank is his brother (born March 22, 1917) and Mary was his mother. His father, Frank (born 1886) died in 1947. With this information, I was able to search census records and narrow it down


The 5'8, 155-pound player enlisted in the army in January of 1943. He played a couple seasons of pro basketball as well as assistant coaching at his alma mater.




Source:


Stats:

Bob Sherman

Robert Vincent Sherman


Born:
January 12, 1920
Los Angeles, CA

Died:
December 23, 2016
Santa Barbara, CA


Career
Alhambra High School - California (High School)
1940-41 Santa Barbara State College (College)
1941-42 Santa Barbara State College (College) 
1945-46 Santa Barbara State College (College)
1946-47 Santa Barbara State College (College)
1947-48 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL)
1947-48 Utica Olympics (NYSL)
Santa Maria Dukes - California (Independent)

Sherman was a basketball and track star at Santa Barbara State College (now UCSB), with his education interrupted by World War 2 and his three years in the Merchant Marines. He played pro basketball after graduating, but would take up tennis and become a very talented player. He played at Wimbledon twice, and won 95 singles titles and 30 doubles titles, the most total wins in UTSA history. He defeated famous players such as Bobby Riggs. He won his last title at the age of 93. In December of 2016, Sherman fell at his home and hit his head. About a week later, he succumbed to his injuries.

Sherman was competing in the USTA Seniors Clay Court Tournament in Arlington, Virginia, on the morning of September 11, 2001, when a low-flying plane passed over the courts, disrupting play. About 10 seconds later, that plane, American Airlines Flight 77, crashed into the Pentagon.

Source:
Super Senior Obituary
Southern California Tennis Obituary

Stats:

Seekant

Seekant


Born:



Died:




Career
1947-48 Elizabeth Braves (ABL)

Appears in the box score for the Braves only game, scoring zero points in the clubs November 30, 1946, game against Brooklyn.

Name could be Seekamp, which is more common than Seekant.

There was an Arthur Seekamp who played basketball at Colgate on the freshman team in 1941-42 and on the varsity team 1942-43. He was born in 1922 and died in 2006. Possibly him.

Source:


Stats:

Johnny Rusinko

John Rusinko


Born:
March 1, 1925
Berwick, PA

Died:
October 23, 2013
Elmira, NY



Career
1941-42 Berwick High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1942-43 Berwick High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
Penn State University (College) ??
1945-46 Berwick Weavers (Independent)
1946-47 Hazleton (Independent)
1947-48 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1947-48 Sunbury Mercuries (EPBL)
1948-49 Bridgeport Newfield Steelers (ABL)

1948-49 Sunbury Mercuries (EPBL)

1949-50 Berwick Car-Builders (EPBL)

1949-50 Williamsport Billies (EPBL)
1950-51 Allentown / Carbondale Aces (ABL)
1950-51 Berwick Car-Builders (EPBL)

1951-52 Williamsport Billies (EPBL)

1951-52 Hazleton Mountaineers (EPBL)

1952-53 Williamsport Billes (EPBL)

Mansfield State College - Pennsylvania (College) Assistant coach
1960-61 Troy High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1961-62 Troy High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1962-63 Troy High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1965-66 Thomas Edison High School - Elmira Heights, NY (High School) Head coach
1966-67 Thomas Edison High School - Elmira Heights, NY (High School) Head coach
1967-68 Troy High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1968-69 Troy High School - New York (High School) Head coach
1969-70 Sayre High School - Pennsylvania (High School) Head coach
1970-71 Sayre High School - Pennsylvania (High School) Head coach
1971-72 Sayre High School - Pennsylvania (High School) Head coach
1974-75 Thomas Edison High School - Elmira Heights, NY (High School) Head coach
1975-76 Thomas Edison High School - Elmira Heights, NY (High School) Head coach
1976-77 Thomas Edison High School - Elmira Heights, NY (High School) Head coach
1977-78 Thomas Edison High School - Elmira Heights, NY (High School) Head coach
1978-79 Thomas Edison High School - Elmira Heights, NY (High School) Head coach
1979-80 Thomas Edison High School - Elmira Heights, NY (High School) Head coach
1980-81 Thomas Edison High School - Elmira Heights, NY (High School) Head coach
1981-82 Thomas Edison High School - Elmira Heights, NY (High School) Head coach
1982-83 Thomas Edison High School - Elmira Heights, NY (High School) Head coach

A basketball star at Berwick HS, Rusinko spent one year at Penn State and then went to play the game professionally. After a few seasons in the ABL and Eastern League, Rusinko emrolled at Mansfield State to finish his schooling and took a job as an assistant coach while there as well as coaching the freshmen team. From there, he went into teaching and eventually became the coach for Troy HS. He wad to resign in 1963 when it was discovered he was a few credits shy of the state requirement for accreditation. He was able to rectify that situation and started teaching and coaching at Edison HS in Elmira Heights, New York. From there he moved to Troy HS and Sayre HS before returning to Edison.

He married Marilyn Erwin and they had a son and a daughter.

Source:
Star-Gazette (Elmira, NY) May 14, 1974
Star-Gazette (Elmira, NY) June 7, 1983
Obituary, Star-Gazette (Elmira, NY)

Stats:

Sam Roth

Sam Roth
also played under name "Sam Barucci"


Born:



Died:




Career
1943-44 New York University (College)
1944-45 Camp Satico (Military)
1945-46 New York University (College)
1946-47 New York University (College)
1947-48 Cohoes Mastadons (NYSL)
1947-48 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1948-49 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1949-50 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1949-50 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL)

Not Sam Roth (1921-2009)

Possibly Sam Roth (1923-2015)

News paper article refers to him as "Sam (Barucci) Roth"

Source:


Stats:

Cass Rosenman

Cass Rosenman


Born:



Died:




Career
1944-45 Prospect Park YMCA - New York (Independent)
1945-46 Prospect Park YMCA - New York (Independent)
1946-47 Coney Island A.C. - New York (Independent)
1946-47 Brooklyn Visitations (Independent)
1947-48 Brooklyn Gothams (ABL)



Source:


Stats:

Bill Pless

William Gustav Pless


Born:
June 3, 1928
Far Rockaway, NY

Died:
October 25, 2001
Bellmore, NY


Career
Cortland State Teachers College - New York (College)
1947-48 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1947-48 Brooklyn Gothams (ABL)
1948-49 Troy Celtics (NYSL)
1948-49 Danbury Fedoras (EBL-Ct)
1948-49 Cohoes Mastadons (NYSL)
1949-50 Schenectady Packers (ABL)
1949-50 Meriden Sons of Italy (EBL-Ct)
1950-51 Allentown / Carbondale Aces (ABL)
1950-51 Meriden Sons of Italy (EBL-Ct)
1951-52 Carbondale Aces (ABL)
1951-52 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1952-53 Pawtucket Slaters (ABL)

The 6'6 athlete was one of the many youngsters signed during World War 2 to play baseball with the diluted talent pool. He was 17 when he made his debut for the Phillies' farm team in Wilmington in 1945, and would pitch over the next few seasons. He never got higher than Class A. During the off-season in this period, he would play pro and semi-pro basketball, including three seasons in the ABL.

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

Source:


Stats:

Ben Pagliaroli

Bernado Anthony Pagliaroli, Jr.


Born:
November 29, 1921
Philadelphia, PA

Died:
April 11, 1985
Summit, NJ


Career
Orange High School - New Jersey (High School)
1942-43 Providence College (College)
1943-44 Scott Field (Military)
1945-46 Seton Hall University (College)
1946-47 Seton Hall University (College)
1947-48 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1947-48 Scranton Miners (EPBL)
1949-50 College All-Stars (Independent)
1949-50 Scranton (uncertain)

Born in Philadelphia, Ben Pagliaroli went grew up in Orange, New Jersey, playing baseball and basketball at Orange HS. He was teammates with future baseball great Monte Irvin. After high school, we enrolled at Providence, playing basketball before World War 2 interrupted. He would be awarded three bronze stars during his service. He would finish his education at Seton Hall and play with the Scranton Miners.

He and his wife, Annamaria, had one son.

Source:
Courier News (Bridgewater, NJ), April 13, 1985

Stats:

Tommy O'Connell

Thomas A. O'Connell II


Born:
November 10, 1923
Philadelphia, PA

Died:
February 5, 2011
Philadelphia, PA


Career
1940-41 Northeast Catholic High School - Philadelphia (High School)
Albright College - Reading, PA (College)
1946-47 Reading Keys (EPBL)
1946-47 Chester Ukrainians - Pennsylvania (Independent)
1946-47 Chester Ukrainians - Pennsylvania (Independent)

1947-48 Lancaster Roses (ABL)
1947-48 Lancaster Red Roses (EPBL)
1946-47 Chester Ukrainians - Pennsylvania (Independent)

1948-49 Lancaster Red Roses (EPBL)
1948-49 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)

1948-49 Pottsville Packers (EPBL)  

1949-50 York Victory (EPBL)

1949-50 Reading Rangers (EPBL)

From Philadelphia, O'Connell had a lengthy career as a shortstop in the minor leagues, including being a player/manager in the 1950's. I cannot find much for him after 1955, when he was named manager for the Erie baseball club.

He served in the army during World War 2.

O'Connell married Anna Kramer (1928-2006) in 1950.

6'5 or 6'2, depending on source


Minor League Baseball Stats:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=oconne001tho

Source:
Delaware County Daily Times, March 27, 1947

Stats:

Jack McGaffney

John Joseph "Red" McGaffney


Born:
April 1, 1924
Atlantic City, NJ

Died:
February 3, 2020
Egg Harbor Township, NJ


Career
Atlantic City Trade Scbool -  NJ (High School)
1947-48 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1947-48 Reading Keys (EPBL)
1948-49 Atlantic City (Independent)

McGaffney played basketball for the SPHA's and the Reading Keys before joining the USMC. After hisservice, he worked for Swift and Company in Egg Harbor, New Jersey, for many years until retiring.

John married Virginia (d. 2012) in 1950 and they had four children.

Source:
Obituary

Stats:

Don Markward

Donald Richard Markward


Born:
April 2, 1919
Coatesville, PA

Died:
June 14, 1985
Coatesville, PA ??


Career
Coatesville High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1939-40 Coatesville - Pennsylvania (Independent)
1944-45 Luken Steel - Coatesville, PA (Independent)
1945-46 Luken Steel - Coatesville, PA (Independent)
1946-47 Lancaster Red Roses (EPBL)
1947-48 Lancaster Roses (ABL)
1946-47 Lancaster Red Roses (EPBL)
1947-48 Coatesville - Pennsylvania (Independent)
1948-49 Allentown / Reading Keys (EPBL)
1948-49 Lancaster Rockets (EPBL)

1949-50 Lancaster Rockets (EPBL)

1950-51 Lancaster Rockets (EPBL)

1951-52 Lancaster Red Roses (EPBL)



Source:


Stats:

Bink Manning

William Green "Bink" Manning


Born:
August 29, 1920
Philadelphia, PA

Died:
April 7, 1986
Doylestown Township, PA


Career
Overbrook High School
1938-39 Ardmore - Pennsylvania (Independent)
1938-39 Banks BC - Philadelphia (Independent)
1941-42 Brown Prep (Prep School)
1941-42 Broadline - Philadelphia (Independent)
1945-46 Narberth - Pennsylvania (Independent)
1946-47 Broadline - Philadelphia (Independent)
1946-47 Lower Merion - Pennsylvania (Independent)
1946-47 Lancaster Red Roses (EPBL)
1947-48 Lancaster Roses (ABL)
1947-48 Hazleton Mountaineers (EPBL)

1948-49 Lancaster Red Roses (EPBL)
1949-50 Berwick Car Builders (EPBL)

Updated 12/13/19

I was looking into Philadelphia-native basketball player Bink Manning, seeing if I could identify him. He went to Overbrook HS in Philly and attended Brown Prep before a length semi-pro career around the Pennsylvania with an interruption by World War 2. He had seen him referred to as Bink, Dink and Bill, but mostly as Bink. Then I saw an article about the Lancaster Roses who signed him and referred to him as W. G. Manning. Since he has been referred to as Bill, I decided to look into William Mannings from Philadelphia and found William Green Manning, who was born in 1921. This Manning served in the army at the same time as Bink Manning and was 6' in height which fits the information I have on his height. Not conclusive, but I felt pretty good about it. I then looked a little further and found W.G. Manning's obituary and although it doesn't mention basketball, it does mention his time in World War 2 as well as his education at Overbrook HS and Brown Prep. Another successful identification!

Manning worked for many years in construction before dying in 1986. He and his wife, Helen, had three daughters.

Source:


Stats:

Barry Kreisberg

Barrett Gerald Kreisberg


Born:
January 7, 1925
Manhattan, NY

Died:
December 29, 1997
White Plains, NY


Career
1940-41 James Madison High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1941-42 James Madison High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1945-46 George Washington University (College)
1946-47 George Washington University (College)
1947-48 Brooklyn Gothams (ABL)
1948-49 Utica Olympics (NYSL)
1948-49 Cohoes Mastadons (NYSL)
1949-50 Wallingford Veterans (EBL-Ct)
1949-50 Washington All-Stars (Independent)
1949-50 Brooklyn Paramounts (Independent)
1950-51 York Victory AC (EPBL)
1950-51 Meriden Sons of Anrachy (EBL-Ct)  

Born in Manhattan to Davis and Beatrice Kreisberg, Barry graduated from James Madison HS in Brooklyn and served in the military during World War 2. He graduated from George Washington where the 6'5 athlete played basketball, and he played pro basketball for a few years following. He would practice law, working in civil rights and was also the president of the Harkness Foundation for Dance. He died of a heart attack in 1997.


Source:
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 4, 1998

Stats:

Bobby Knight

Robert Fred Knight


Born:
April 30, 1929
Hartford, CT

Died:
May 23, 2008
Springfield, MA


Career
Weaver High School - Hartford (High School)
1947-48 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL)
1948-49 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1948-49 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL)
1949-50 Nelton Park - Hartford (Independent)
1950-51 Manchester Nassiff Arms (EBL-Ct)
1951-52 Bridgeport Roesslers (ABL)
1951-52 Manchester British Americans (ABL)
1952-53 Manchester British Americans (ABL) 
New York Broadway Colored Clowns (Independent)
1953-54 Nassiff Arms (Independent)
1953-54 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1954-55 Nassiff Arms (Independent)
1954-55 New York Knicks (NBA)
1955-56 Connecticut Yankees (Independent)

Knight was a very popular player in the Hartford area. Unable to go to college due to the difficulty at the time for black kids to go to college, Knight played semi-pro and pro basketball around Connecticut. He was a talented scorer, and he would eventually find his way to the NBA, playing a couple games for the Knicks in the 1954-55 season.

He was a generous and modest man, working with youths in Hartford for many years, volunteering at the local YMCA for years. He died in 2008 at 79 years of age.

Source:
http://articles.courant.com/2008-05-28/sports/knight0528.art_1_basketball-genius-naismith-memorial-basketball-hall-bobby-knight

Stats:
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/knighbo01.html
https://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=knighbo01

Paul Klapprodt

Paul Klapprodt


Born:
July 10, 1923
Killingworth, CT

Died:
April 21, 2011
West Hartford, CT


Career
1939-40 Bulkeley High School - Hartford (High School)
1940-41 Bulkeley High School - Hartford (High School)
1946-47 Hartford Hurricanes (NEBL)
1947-48 Hartford Hurricanes (NEBL)
1947-48 Meriden Spurs (Independent)
1947-48 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL)
1948-49 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL)
1948-49 Bridgeport Newfield Steelers (ABL)
1949-50 Middletown Guards (EBL-Ct)
1950-51 Hartford Hurricanes (EBL-Ct)

Klapprodt played baseball and basketball in high school and served in the U.S. Navy during World War 2 after graduating. He would play basketball with the Hartford Hurricanes in 1947-48, averaging 9.6 points per game. He was averaging 8.7 ppg in 1947-49 before being sold to Bridgeport on February 16, 1949. Klapprodt was a successful insurance agent in the Hartford area, and died in 2011.

Paul married Ingrid Anderson in 1949 and they had one son and one daughter.

Source:
Obituary, Hartford Courant, April 23, 2011

Stats:

Bob Kelty

Robert Patrick Kelty


Born:
July 20, 1921
Trenton, NJ

Died:
November 24, 1991
Yardley, PA


Career
1938-39 Trenton Catholic High School - New Jersey (High School)
1940-41 Villanova University (College)
1941-42 Villanova University (College)
1942-43 Villanova University (College)
1947-48 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1948-49 Sayreville Rams (Independent)

The 6'2, 186-pound player from Trenton played at Villanova. He played briefly with the Trenton Tigers in the ABL and with the Sayreville Rams. He also worked as an industrial relations agent in Trenton.

Kelty and his wife had triplets in 1947

Source:


Stats:

Ed Kassler

Edward George Kassler
(Also played under the name Artie Edwards)


Born:
July 21, 1923
New York, NY

Died:
March 7, 2011
Homestead, FL


Career
1942-43 Long Island University (College)
1946-47 Long Island University (College)
1946-47 Cohoes Mastadons (NYSL)
1946-47 Gloversville Glovers (NYSL)
1947-48 Bridgeport Springwoods (EBL-Ct)
1947-48 Mohawk Redskins (NYSL)
1947-48 Jersey City Atoms (ABL)
1947-48 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1948-49 Mohawk Redskins (NYSL)
1948-49 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1949-50 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1950-51 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1951-52 St. Rose High School - Carbondale, PA (High School) Head coach
1952-53 Scranton Miners (ABL)

1952-53 Wilkes-Barre Aces (EPBL)

1952-53 St. Rose High School - Carbondale, PA (High School) Head coach
1953-54 St. Rose High School - Carbondale, PA (High School) Head coach
1954-55 St. Rose High School - Carbondale, PA (High School) Head coach
1955-56 St. Rose High School - Carbondale, PA (High School) Head coach
1956-57 St. Rose High School - Carbondale, PA (High School) Head coach
1957-58 St. Rose High School - Carbondale, PA (High School) Head coach
1958-59 St. Rose High School - Carbondale, PA (High School) Head coach
1959-60 St. Rose High School - Carbondale, PA (High School) Head coach
1960-61 St. Rose High School - Carbondale, PA (High School) Head coach
1961-62 St. Rose High School - Carbondale, PA (High School) Head coach
1962-63 Oneonta State University (College) Head coach
1963-64 Oneonta State University (College) Head coach
1964-65 Oneonta State University (College) Head coach
1965-66 Oneonta State University (College) Head coach
1966-67 Oneonta State University (College) Head coach
1967-68 Oneonta State University (College) Head coach
1968-69 Oneonta State University (College) Head coach
1969-70 Oneonta State University (College) Head coach
1970-71 Oneonta State University (College) Head coach 

While playing at LIU, Kassler played pro basketball in the New York State League under the name "Artie Edwards." When Coach Bee found out about this in March of 1947, he was kicked off the team permanently.

After a decent ABL career, Kassler, a World War 2 veteran who served in the Pacific, had coaching success first at St. Rose HS and then at Oneonta State.

Ed married Geraldine Dockery in 1947 and they had five daughters and a son.

Source:
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/sports/local-coaching-legend-eddie-kassler-dies-1.1115760

Stats:

Tony Karpowich

Anthony B. "Butch" Karpowich


Born:
August 20, 1919
Freeland, PA

Died:
June 3, 1972
Rover Edge, NY


Career
1936-37 Freeland High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1937-38 Freeland High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1938-39 Seton Hall Prep (Prep School)
1939-40 Seton Hall Prep (Prep School) 
1940-41 Fordham University (College)
1941-42 Fordham University (College)
1942-43 Fordham University (College)
1943-44 Fort Knox (Military)
1944-45 Fort Knox (Military)
1945-46 Fort Knox (Military) 
1946-47 Fordham University (College)
1947-48 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1947-48 Xavier High School - New York City (High School) Head coach
1948-49 Brooklyn Gothams (ABL)
1948-49 Xavier High School - New York City (High School) Head coach
1949-50 Xavier High School - New York City (High School) Head coach
1950-51 Xavier High School - New York City (High School) Head coach
1951-52 Xavier High School - New York City (High School) Head coach
1952-53 Xavier High School - New York City (High School) Head coach
1953-54 Xavier High School - New York City (High School) Head coach
1954-55 Xavier High School - New York City (High School) Head coach
1955-56 Xavier High School - New York City (High School) Head coach
1956-57 Xavier High School - New York City (High School) Head coach
1957-58 Xavier High School - New York City (High School) Head coach
1958-59 Xavier High School - New York City (High School) Head coach
1959-60 Xavier High School - New York City (High School) Head coach
1960-61 Xavier High School - New York City (High School) Head coach
1961-62 Xavier High School - New York City (High School) Head coach
1962-63 Xavier High School - New York City (High School) Head coach
1963-64 Xavier High School - New York City (High School) Head coach
1964-65 Xavier High School - New York City (High School) Head coach
1965-66 Xavier High School - New York City (High School) Head coach 

Karpowich set a school record for points in a single game with Fordham, scoring 29 in a game. He served in the Army during World War 2, and then after returning and graduating from Fordham, he played in the ABL for a few seasons before taking a teaching job at Xavier HS in New York City. Aside from teach, he would coach basketball and baseball while there and eventually would oversee the school athletic department. Karpowich died unexpectedly at home in 1972 at the age of 52.

He was married to Mary Rajca and they had five daughters and two sons.

Source:
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, October 25, 1954
Standard Speaker (Hazelton, PA), June 9, 1972
Standard Speaker (Hazelton, PA), January 25, 1977

Stats:

Arnold Jones

Arnold Roy Jones

Born:
March 2, 1921
Worcester, MA

Died:




Career
1941-42 Worcester Tech (College)
1942-43 Worcester Tech (College)
1946-47 Fitchburg PAMCO's (NEBL)
1946-47 Worcester All-Americans (NEBL)
1947-48 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL)
1948-49 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL)
1949-50 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL)
1949-50 Manchester Nassiff Arms (EBL-Ct)
1949-50 Torrington Howards (EBL-Ct)
1950-51 Worcester Tadcaster Brewers (Independent)
1950-51 Hartford Hurricanes (EBL-Ct)
1951-52 Worcester Tadcaster Brewers (Independent)

6'7

Born to William (1895-1983) and Anne Riopel Jones (1894-??)

In 1973, he was appointed divisional vice president at Norton Company in Worcester, a company he started work with in 1946. He was still employed there as of 1978.

Source:
Boston Globe, Aug 3, 1973

Stats:

Jim Hanrahan

James Fox Hanrahan


Born:
September 14, 1923
Waterbury, CT

Died:
May 31, 2006
Oakdale, CT


Career
Crosby High School - Connecticut (High School)
1946-47 Georgetown University (College) Did he play on the team??
1947-48 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL)
1950-51 Fairfield University (College) Head coach
1951-52 Fairfield University (College) Head coach
1952-53 Fairfield University (College) Head coach
1953-54 Fairfield University (College) Head coach
1954-55 Fairfield University (College) Head coach
1955-56 Fairfield University (College) Head coach
1956-57 Fairfield University (College) Head coach
1957-58 Fairfield University (College) Head coach

After graduating from high school, Hanrahan spent seven years at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore before moving over to Georgetown. He would go on to play for the Hartford Hurricanes in 1947 for two games. He would coach at Fairfield University while earning his Master's Degree.

Moving into education, Hanrahan wanted to start a school for underachieving youths and in 1962 opened the St. Thomas More School in Oakdale, Connecticut.



Source:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nytimes/obituary.aspx?n=james-f-hanrahan&pid=17966721

Stats:

Ted Hanauer

Austin Cedric "Ted" Hanauer


Born:
January 1, 1924
Roanoke, IN

Died:
October 1, 2013
Fort Wayne, IN


Career
1942-43 Huntington College - Indiana (College)
1946-47 Binghamton Triplets (EPBL) Head coach / player

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 / Carbondale Aces (ABL)

1952-53 Berwick Carbuilders (EPBL)  

Born to Othal and Grace Hanauer, Ted went to Huntington College before going off to place pro basketball out east for four seasons in the ABL. He returned to Indiana and was a successful insurance entrepreneur.

Ted and his wife, Irene, had one daughter and two sons.


Source:


Stats:

Martie Goldstein

Martie Roy Goldstein


Born:
November 20, 1921
New York, NY

Died:
April 8, 1998
Lauderhill, FL


Career
1943-44 New York University (College)
1944-45 New York University (College)
1945-46 New York University (College)
1946-47 New York University (College)
1947-48 Brooklyn Gothams (ABL)

1948-49 Williamsport Billies (EPBL)

Goldstein played baseball and basketball at NYU (he was a teammate of Ralph Branca). He joined the basketball team in mid-season in 1943-44. After school  and a stint with the Gothams of the ABL, Goldstein worked in the furniture business.




Source:


Stats:

Walt Funk

Walter Emery Funk


Born:
October 13, 1922
Phoenixville, PA

Died:
January 13, 2015
West Chester, PA


Career
Phoenixville High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1943-44 Pennsylvania State University (College)
1946-47 Lancaster Red Roses (EPBL)
1946-47 West Lampeter High School - Pennsylvania (High School) Head coach
1947-48 Lancaster Roses (ABL)
1947-48 Lancaster Red Roses (EPBL)
1947-48 Coatesville Steelers - Pennsylvania (Independent)
Scott High School - Coatesville, PA (High School) Head coach
1950-51 Lancaster Rockets (EPBL)
1951-52 Coatesville High School - Pennsylvania (High School) Head coach
1952-53 Coatesville High School - Pennsylvania (High School) Head coach
1953-54 Coatesville High School - Pennsylvania (High School) Head coach
1954-55 Coatesville High School - Pennsylvania (High School) Head coach
1955-56 Coatesville High School - Pennsylvania (High School) Head coach
1956-57 Coatesville High School - Pennsylvania (High School) Head coach
1957-58 Coatesville High School - Pennsylvania (High School) Head coach
1958-59 Coatesville High School - Pennsylvania (High School) Head coach
1959-60 Coatesville High School - Pennsylvania (High School) Head coach
1960-61 Coatesville High School - Pennsylvania (High School) Head coach
1961-62 Coatesville High School - Pennsylvania (High School) Head coach  
1966-67 West Chester University - Pennsylvania (College) Head coach
1967-68 West Chester University - Pennsylvania (College) Head coach
1968-69 West Chester University - Pennsylvania (College) Head coach
1969-70 West Chester University - Pennsylvania (College) Head coach
1970-71 West Chester University - Pennsylvania (College) Head coach
1971-72 West Chester University - Pennsylvania (College) Head coach
1972-73 West Chester University - Pennsylvania (College) Head coach

Born to Horace and Bertha Funk, Walt served in the Merchant Marines and Navy Reserve during World War 2. He graduated from Penn State and played basketball for the Lancaster Roses. He became a teacher, coach and principal at Scott HS in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, before being named the basketball coach at West Chester University.

Funk had four children.

Source:
Obituary
https://wcupagoldenrams.com/news/2015/1/23/MBB_0123155140.aspx?path=mbball

Stats:

Carl Frank

Carl George Frank


Born:
January 28, 1925
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Died:
May 18, 2023
Wilkes-Barre, PA


Career
1940-41 St. Nicholas High School - Wilkes-Barre, PA (High School)
1941-42 St. Nicholas High School - Wilkes-Barre, PA (High School)
1942-43 St. Nicholas High School - Wilkes-Barre, PA (High School)
1946-47 Wilkes-Barre Whirlwinds (PSL)
1946-47 Wilkes-Barre Barons (EPBL)
1947-48 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)

Born to Carl and Adelaide Frank, Carl lead the state in scoring in his senior year at St. Nicholas HS. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War 2.

After a few years of minor league baseball and basketball, he worked as a sheet metal draftsman.  

Carl married Elizabeth Farrell (d. 1996) in 1947 and they had ten children.


Minor League Baseball Stats
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=franks001car

Source:


Stats:

Frank Frascella

Frank J. Frascella


Born:
July 28, 1922
Trenton, NJ

Died:
December 10, 2014
Hamilton, NJ


Career
1940-41 Trenton High School (High School)
1941-42 Trenton High School (High School)
1942-43 Villanova University (College)
1943-44 Villanova University (College)
1944-45 Bainbridge Naval Center (Military)
1945-46 St. John's University (College)
1946-47 St. John's University (College)
1947-48 Williamsport Billies (EPBL)
1947-48 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1948-49 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1949-50 Trenton Tigers (ABL)

Frascella went to Villanova after graduating from high school, but entered the U.S. Navy to serve during the war. After combat ceased, he finished his education at St. John's. He would play three seasons with the Trenton Tigers. He would later work as a liquor salesman and a realtor.

He married Marthea Arbitell in 1949 and they had two sons.

Source:
http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/trenton/obituary.aspx?n=frank-frascella-fish&pid=173449714&fhid=16307

Stats:

Jim Fox

Jim Fox


Born:



Died:




Career
St. John's (College) ??
1945-46 Letchworth - White Plains, NY (Independent)
1945-46 Conger Pirates (Independent)
1946-47 Conger Pirates (Independent)
1947-48 Brooklyn Gothams (ABL)
1947-48 Conger Pirates (Independent) 

The 6'6 center played two games for the Gothams.

Is he James Thomas Fox, Fordahm prep 1938?

Source:


Stats:

Larry Doby

Lawrence Eugene Doby


Born:
December 13, 1923
Camden, SC

Died:
June 18, 2003
Montclair, NJ


Career
1940-41 Eastside High School - Paterson, NJ (High School)
1941-42 Eastside High School - Paterson, NJ (High School)
1942-43 Long Island University (College)
Virginia Union College (College)
1943-44 Great Lakes (Military)
1947-48 Paterson Crescents (ABL)

Born in Camden, South Carolina, Doby would move to Paterson with his mother after his father drowned while fishing. He played baseball, basketball and football in high school, and enrolled at LIU after graduating. With World War 2 underway, Doby transferred to Virginia Unio to join up with the ROTC. He would play baseball in the Negro Leagues, and when the Dodgers signed Jackie Robinson in 1946, Doby saw that he had a chance to make a living as a baseball player. He would sign with the Cleveland Indians and began a long career as a slugger that would wind up with induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He played 13 seasons in the American League, finishing with 253 career home runs. He would also play pro basketball for a brief stint with the Crescents in the ABL.

After retiring as a player, Doby would become a hitting coach for the Montreal Expos, and eventually would become the second black manager in the major leagues when he took over the Chicago White Sox in 1978.

Doby of cancer in 2003.

He was married to Helyn (d. 2001) in 1946 and they had five children.

Major League Baseball Stats
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dobyla01.shtml

Source:
SABR Biography

Stats:

Larry Disque

Lavere Roy "Larry" Disque
Also played under the name Larry Davis


Born:
March 27, 1921
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Died:
March 3, 1994
Elwood, IN


Career
1941-42 State Teachers College - East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania (College)
1946-47 Plymouth (PSL)
1946-47 Wilkes-Barre Barons (EPBL)
1947-48 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1947-48 Williamsport Billies (EPBL)
1948-49 Williamsport Billies (EPBL) Head coach / player
1949-50 Williamsport Billies (EPBL) Head coach / player 
1950-51 Williamsport Billies (EPBL) Head coach / player


Source:


Stats:

Joe Della Monica

Joseph G. Della Monica


Born:
September 28, 1927
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
January 17, 2013
Garden City, NY


Career
1947-48 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)

The shortstop who played at Penn went on to a 7-year minor league baseball career, with an interruption to serve his country in the Korean War. He also played one game for the SPHA's in 1947, failing to score in his short time on the court. He would go on to form Creative Food Corporation which owned 27 Burger King Franchises.


Minor League Baseball Stats
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dellam001jos

Source:


Stats:

Chick Craig

Earl C. "Chick" Craig


Born:
July 23, 1922
Pennsylvania

Died:
June 21, 2008
Phillipsburg, NJ


Career
1938-39 Phillipsburg High School - New Jersey (High School)
1939-40 Phillipsburg High School - New Jersey (High School)
1940-41 Phillipsburg High School - New Jersey (High School)
1941-42 Long Island University (College) Freshmen
1946-47 Wilkes Barre Barons (EPBL)
1947-48 Wilkes Barre Barons (ABL)
1948-49 Wilkes Barre Barons (ABL)
1949-50 Lancaster Red Roses (EPBL)
1950-51 Lancaster Rockets (EPBL)
1950-51 Williamsport Billies (EPBL)
1951-52 Williamsport Billies (EPBL)
1952-53 Williamsport Billies (EPBL)
1952-53 Mauch Chunk Pros (Indepedent)
1953-54 Williamsport Billies (EPBL)
1953-54 Mauch Chunk Pros (Indepedent) Head coach
1954-55 Williamsport Billies (EPBL)
1956-57 Easton Madisons (EPBL)
1957-58 Easton Madisons (EPBL) Head coach
1958-59 Easton Madisons (EPBL) Head coach
1959-60 Easton Madisons (EPBL) Head coach
1960-61 Easton Madisons (EPBL) Head coach
1961-62 Wilkes Barre Barons (EPBL) Head coach
1962-63 Wilkes Barre Barons (EPBL) Head coach
1963-64 Wilkes Barre Barons (EPBL) Head coach
1964-65 Wilkes Barre Barons (EPBL) Head coach
1965-66 Wilkes Barre Barons (EPBL) Head coach
1966-67 Trenton Colonials (EPBL) Head coach
1967-68 Scranton Miners (EPBL) Head coach
1968-69 Scranton Miners (EPBL) Head coach
1969-70 Scranton Miners (EPBL) Head coach
1969-70 Binghamton Flyers (EPBL) Head coach
1970-71 Trenton Pat Pavers (EBA) Head coach
1971-72 Trenton Pat Pavers (EBA) Head coach
1972-73 Wilkes Barre Barons (EBA) Head coach
1973-74 Wilkes Barre Barons (EBA) Head coach
1974-75 Allentown Jets (EBA) Head coach
1975-76 Allentown Jets (EBA) Head coach
1976-77 Allentown Jets (EBA) Head coach
1993-94 Hazleton Hawks (Atlantic Basketball League) Head coach

Craig starred on the court at Phillipsburg HS before enrolling at LIU. He left school to serve in the navy during World War 2. After the war, he played basketball in the ABL for the Barons before embarking a long career as a coach and scout.He was a well-known figure around the Eastern Basketball League for years before finally retiring in 1977. He was coaxed out of retirement in 1993 to coach his hometown Hazleton team in the fledgling Atlantic Basketball League.

He married Ethel Lampert on May 9, 1964.

Source:
https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/22/sports/sports-of-the-times-the-league-of-dreamers-is-no-more.html
http://articles.mcall.com/1999-11-14/features/3276308_1_eastern-basketball-league-nba-general-manager

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/chick-craig/

Verne Cox

Vernon William Cox


Born:
January 2, 1920
Baltimore, MD

Died:
September 7, 1991
Springfield, MA


Career
1943-44 Springfield College - Massachusetts (College)
1945-46 Fitchburg PAMCO - Massachusetts (Independent)
1946-47 Fitchburg PAMCO - Massachusetts (Independent)
1947-48 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL)
1947-48 Springfield College - Massachusetts (College) Head coach - Freshmen
1948-49 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL)
1950-51 Hartford Hurricanes (EBL-Ct)
1950-51 Springfield College - Massachusetts (College) Head coach
Lenox Merchants (Independent)
1958-59 Springfield College - Massachusetts (College) Head coach - Freshmen

On December 21, 1947, Cox was playing for Hartford and accidentally tipped in a basket for the opposing Paterson team, so he appears in Paterson stats for that game and that season.

Cox would coach basketball, lacrosse and track at Springfield College for many years.

Source:


Stats:

Steve Chanecka

Steven Robert Chanecka


Born:
February 6, 1918
Binghamton, NY

Died:
February 9, 2000
Wilkes-Barre, PA


Career
Central High School - Binghamton (High School)
1946-47 Wilkes Barre Barons (EPBL)
1947-48 Wilkes Barre Barons (ABL)
1948-49 Wilkes Barre Barons (ABL)
1949-50 Wilkes Barre Barons (ABL) Head coach / player
1950-51 Wilkes Barre Barons (ABL)
1952-53 USMC - Wyoming (Military) Head coach
1959-60 Wilkes Barre Barons (EBL) Head coach / player
1964-65 Wilkes Barre Barons (EBL) Head coach

After graduating from Central HS, Steve served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a surgical technician during World War 2. After the war, he joined his brother Bill to play for the Wilkes-Barre Barons. Steve was a very popular player for the Barons in his five years with the club. A back injury in 1951 ended his playing career. He would return 9 years later as the team's coach, even playing in a game before being fired a month into the season. He was hired again to coach the Barons in 1964.

Steve was also a very talented golfer, and would coach the game at Luzerne County Community College. He suffered through various health ailments in his later years, losing part of his leg to gangrene, two heart bypasses and a broken neck. He had just turned 82 when he died in 2000.

Steve was a long-time teammate with his brother Bill and they were a high-scoring tandem for the Barons.

Steve had two sons and a daughter.

Source:
Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA), February 11, 2000

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/steve-chanecka/