In Memoriam: Johnny Oldham

 John Oldham (1923-2020)

WKU Hilltopper Basketball legend John Oldham – a fixture on The Hill as a player, coach and administrator – passed away Monday morning (Novemebr 23, 2020) in Bowling Green. He was 97.

Oldham's impact on WKU was so far-reaching that the court at E.A. Diddle Arena was named in his honor on Dec. 27, 2012.

"We are very saddened to learn of the passing of John Oldham," WKU Director of Athletics Todd Stewart said.  "Coach Oldham is one of the all-time iconic figures in Western Kentucky University Athletics history who impacted the Hilltoppers as a player, head coach, athletics director and developer of the Red Towel athletics logo.  His outstanding collegiate playing career was interrupted when he left school to serve in the United States Navy during World War II, but he returned to earn All-American honors while leading WKU to national prominence including a No. 5 national ranking in 1949.  He won 78% of the games he coached during his seven years as WKU's head coach while leading the Hilltoppers to the 1971 Final Four.  His impactful 15-year tenure as WKU's Director of Athletics from 1971-86 trails only Ed Diddle for longest service in overseeing WKU Athletics.  A soft spoken and enormously kind man, I truly enjoyed knowing him, visiting with him and learning so much about WKU from him.  It was a special evening on December 27, 2012, when we officially named the court in Diddle Arena 'John Oldham Court' with he and his family in attendance, ensuring him the recognition he never sought but certainly deserved.  It was an honor to have known him, and our thoughts are prayers are with his family."

Oldham left his mark on Hilltopper Basketball in each of his roles, earning All-America accolades as a player in 1949 and later coaching some of the greatest teams in WKU history.

Oldham, a native of Hartford, Ky., came to WKU in 1942 to play basketball for Coach E.A. Diddle after earning All-State honors at Hartford High School. After his freshman season at WKU, Oldham served in the U.S. Navy for three years during World War II.

In four years as a student-athlete (1942-43 before World War II and 1946-47, 1947-48 and 1948-49 after the war) he earned a place in WKU's 1,000-point club, racking up 1,006 career points, and helped the Hilltoppers to three appearances in the NIT, four conference championships and 102 wins. He was named an All-American by both the United Press International and the Associated Press as a senior in 1949, and he was also named to a spot on the first All-Ohio Valley Conference Team that season.

Oldham was selected to the WKU Basketball All-Century Team in 2018 as a player.

After two seasons for the NBA's Fort Wayne (now Detroit) Pistons, Oldham returned to The Hill to coach at old College High School before moving on to Tennessee Tech as the head coach. He returned to WKU in 1964 to take over the Hilltopper Basketball program from the retiring E.A. Diddle.

In seven seasons at his alma mater (1964-71), Oldham compiled an outstanding 142-40 record and led the Hilltoppers to five postseason trips, four conference championships, a Sweet 16 berth and a trip to the 1971 Final Four.

Oldham's .780 winning percentage as a head coach remains the best in WKU's illustrious men's basketball history by a wide margin, and his number 42 from his playing days hangs in the rafters of E.A. Diddle Arena in tribute. He coached two of WKU's three consensus All-Americans (Clem Haskins and Jim McDaniels).

In all, Oldham had a hand in 244 men's basketball victories, eight postseason appearances and nine conference championships in 11 years as a player and head coach. The overall record of those 11 teams was a remarkable 244-53 (82.2 percent).

Oldham was also a pioneer for social change in the sport, putting the Hilltoppers on the forefront of integration in the south in the 1960s.

One of the truly beloved individuals in university history, Oldham also served as athletics director from 1971-86 and, in 1971, conceptualized the Red Towel logo, which has evolved into one of the most easily recognized and historic athletic logos in the country. WKU's Big Red mascot was also created during his tenure.

His time as AD aligned with the creation of Title IX, the revival of women's athletics and the football program's move to Division I-AA, and his coaching hires included some WKU's best in Paul Sanderford (women's basketball), Joel Murrie (baseball) and Curtiss Long (track and field).

During his tenure as athletic director, Western won six OVC All-Sports Championships and one Sun Belt Conference All-Sports Championship.

Oldham has been inducted into the Lions Club Kentucky High School Hall of Fame (1969), Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame (1986), Ohio Valley Conference Hall of Fame (1989), Kentucky High School Hall of Fame (1990), Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame (1990), WKU Athletic Hall of Fame (1991) and WKU Hall of Distinguished Alumni (2002).

- WKU Sports

In Memoriam: Walt "Buddy" Davis

Walt Davis (1931-2020)

The 1950s were very good to Nederland native Buddy Davis.

After building an All-Southwest Conference basketball career and winning an NCAA high jump title at Texas A&M University, Davis set his sights on Olympic gold in Helsinki.

On a cold, damp Finnish day — July 20, 1952 — 21-year-old Davis cleared a 6-foot, 8.32-inch (2.04-meter) bar, beating fellow American Ken Wiesner to win the gold medal. Four years later, Davis played a role on a Philadelphia Warriors team that won the franchise’s second NBA title and first in nine years.

Davis, who spent five seasons in the NBA and added a second championship with the St. Louis Hawks in 1958, died Tuesday (November17, 2020)in Port Arthur. He was 89.

Shaun Davis, one of Buddy’s two sons, said Buddy died peacefully at The Medical Center of Southeast Texas surrounded by family.

“He was just curious about everything,” Shaun said of his father. “He just read all the time, so he was a curious person. He was interested in so many things. He stayed so sharp and active, right until the time he passed. It was a real blessing he passed in a peaceful way.”

Born Walter Francis Davis on Jan. 5, 1931, in Beaumont, the man who grew to be 6 feet, 9 inches tall suffered a bout with polio, which temporarily paralyzed both his legs and arms.

“As far as polio is concerned, I was only 8 years old, so I was not aware of what was going on,” Davis told The News in a July 2016 series highlighting Olympians from Port Arthur and Mid-County. “I just knew my mother was upset and I was being treated like a king. The torture part was having to wear those braces on my leg [and] stay in the bed at all times.”

Davis overcame polio by learning to strengthen his legs. At Nederland High School, Davis became a basketball and high jump standout, scoring more than 60 percent of the basketball team’s points and winning district and region championships in the field event. He did not compete in the state track meet and elected instead to play baseball for the Bulldogs.

He accepted a basketball scholarship to Texas A&M, but under NCAA rules at the time had to sit out his freshman year (1948-49). The next three years, Davis made All-Southwest Conference twice, All-District Six twice and selected third-team All-America in 1951 by the Helms Athletic Foundation.

A Texas A&M teammate named Jim Dimmett, Davis said, taught him a form of jumping that Davis later developed into the “Western roll.” The jumper, Davis explained, takes his left foot and puts it under the right hip on takeoff, makes a “semi-dive” over the bar, curls over and rolls over on the hip, then hits the sand in a three-point stance.

He finished as NCAA runner-up in 1951 with a 6-foot, 6½-inch jump, and then won the national championship the next year jumping 6-9. His qualifying jump for the Olympics was 6-10½, higher than his winning attempt in Finland.

Davis said he cleared the 7-foot bar in the 1952 Southwest Conference championships, but added the attempt was lost “on mistake by SMU officials.” His 6-11 5/8 jump in 1953 set the last world record under 7 feet.

“Twice in an exhibition he jumped 7 feet, but they didn’t count it because it wasn’t an official meet,” Shaun Davis said. “He would open up a car dealership, and they would ask him to put on jumping exhibitions. They would fly him out to California and they would set up a high jump deal. He would do those jumps and attract a crowd.”

As an NBA player, Buddy Davis averaged 4.8 points and 4.3 rebounds in five seasons. His celebrity would carry into the 1960s, when he became a national spokesperson for Kent cigarettes, according to his son.

During the NBA offseason, Davis served as a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy. After his career, he had a long career in banking, starting at Groves State Bank, then in Wharton and Texarkana.

Following retirement, Shaun said, Buddy was a civilian employee with the U.S. Coast Guard. He and his wife, the former Margaret Tynan, moved to Puerto Rico, and then came back to Texas as Buddy went to work for the Federal Emergency Management Agency for nearly two decades until he almost turned 80.

Buddy Davis was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1964. He was honored during the Golden State Warriors’ ring ceremony at the start of the 2015-16 season as a past champion, and in January 2016 went into the Texas Track & Field Hall of Fame along with Carl Lewis, Sanya Richards-Ross and Jeremy Wariner.

Margaret Davis preceded Buddy in death in 2018 after 68 years of marriage. Together they raised nine children and had “dozens” of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Shaun said.

 - IC Murrell, Port Arthur News -

In Memoriam: Chuck Mrazovich

 Chuck Mrazovich (1924-2020)

Hialeah, Florida - Charles 'Chuck' Mrazovich, 96, of Hialeah, Florida, passed away on November 8, 2020.

The funeral service will be held at 6 pm, November 13, 2020 at Fred Hunter's Funeral Home, Hollywood Florida. Reverand Bobby McCann will be officiating. Visitation will be held at 6pm. Burial will follow the funeral in Sebring, Florida for family only.

Chuck was born in Ambridge, Pennsylvania on February 26, 1924. He graduated from Ambridge High School and continued on to receive a Master's Degree in Fine Arts from Eastern Kentucky University.

Chuck was married to Mary Lorraine Neely in 1949; they were married 71 years.

Chuck, a combat war veteran served in the 44th Infantry Division for three years and received a Bronze Star and four Battle Stars for his service including the Battle of the Bulge. After the war he was an NBA player for the Indianapolis Olympians. He went on to become a teacher and basketball coach in Kentucky, and retired from Hialeah High School. He enjoyed playing the Brac in his Tamburitzan band, art, and antiquing. Of his many accomplishments, his joy was coaching his grandchildren and teaching them to play and sing Croatian music.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Mary Neely Mrazovich, son, Vincent Mrazovich (Bette), daughter Vickie Clark (Scott), grandchildren, Timmy King (Nikki), Steve King (Katy), Celine Watson (Dale), Zane Mrazovich, and 7 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, John Mrazovich.

In Memoriam: Wayne Kaeding

Wayne Kaeding (1920-2020)

Wayne Ehlers Kaeding, 99, passed away Aug. 19, 2020 in Lincoln, Nebr. Wayne was born on a farm northeast of York, Nebr. on Sept. 14, 1920. He was the tenth of 11 children born to Frederick Wilhelm and Johanna W. (Ehlers) Kaeding.

A graduate of Benedict High School, Wayne earned a bachelor’s degree from York College in 1947. He joined the Navy V-7 program in January 1942 and received his commission in April 1944. His duty took him to the Pacific theater, where he served until the war ended. He was discharged in July 1946. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in secondary school administration in 1953.

On Jan. 25, 1947 he married Ellen Marie Meyer in York. He was devoted to her throughout years of ill health. She passed away in January 1996. The couple had one daughter, Barbara.

Wayne spent his career in Beatrice, Nebr., where he positively impacted the lives of thousands of young people as a coach, teacher, principal and sports official for 37 years. He came to Beatrice in 1948 after teaching math for one year in North Platte. He taught social studies, physical education, and math and monitored study hall at Beatrice High School for four years.

He then moved to Beatrice Junior High School in 1952 where he taught algebra for 14 years. In 1966 he became the principal of the junior high school, a position he held for 19 years. In 2013 he was inducted into the Beatrice Educational Foundation Hall of Fame as a Friend of Education.

Wayne believed strongly in the power of participation in athletics to build character, motivate students to succeed academically, and teach life lessons in teamwork, self-discipline and persistence. He lived this belief through his many contributions to athletics in the Beatrice schools, the community and the state.

During his tenure at Beatrice High School, he coached varsity basketball. As a junior high school teacher, he started football and basketball programs for seventh- and eighth-graders and coached both sports. He also coached track for grades 7, 8 and 9. To give more students an opportunity to experience the benefits of athletic competition, he started a popular noon-hour volleyball program. For several summers, he managed the Youth Recreation baseball program in Beatrice, also serving as umpire and groundskeeper.

Wayne contributed to athletics on a larger stage as a basketball and football official in eastern Nebraska from 1952 to 1965. He refereed the boys state basketball tournament for six years and officiated the Shrine Bowl football game in 1963.

During the 1930s, ‘40s and into the ‘50s, Wayne was well-known throughout the state for his baseball and basketball prowess. A basketball stand-out at York College along with his brother Jim, he was twice named player of the year and was a conference all-star all four years he was in college. He helped the school to a berth in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics tournament, where the team defeated the University of Akron in the first round and lost to the University of North Texas University by one point in the second round. After graduating from York College, he briefly played professional basketball with the Omaha Tomahawks.

As a semi-professional baseball player, he played center field on several town teams, often with some of his six brothers, all accomplished baseball players. He retired from semi-pro baseball in 1955. In 2012, Wayne was inducted into the Nebraska Baseball Hall of Fame.

Wayne was an avid golfer, serving a term as president of the Beatrice Country Club, and a loyal Husker fan. He also enjoyed watching major league baseball, especially the St. Louis Cardinals. “I think it’s a great game – it’s one of the best games there is,” he said of baseball in an interview with the Hastings Tribune in 2012. “A lot of people don’t understand what’s going on. There’s something going on all the time in the minds of the players. It’s really a big part of the game, along with the ability of the individuals.”

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, ten siblings and their spouses: Myrtle (Fred) Wolf, Walter (Myrtle Dyrseth), Lula (Humphrey) Knight, Larry (Violet Akerman), Irene (John) Smalldon, William (Frances Ramsey), George (Ruth Osborne), Opal, Merle (Evelyn Chrisman), and James (Arlene Johnson). Special friend Wanda Riddington also preceded him in death.

He is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Ian Duncanson, Lincoln; grandsons Ian (Maria Aguirre) Duncanson, Jr., Portland, Ore., and Geoffrey Duncanson, Lincoln; and numerous nephews and nieces.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home on Sept. 14, the 100th anniversary of Wayne's birth. Enter at Gate 2. The service will be followed by a casual lunch at Lincoln Memorial. Masks are required. The service also will be live-streamed on Lincoln Memorial's Facebook page; "like" the page to access.

In Memoriam: Red Hultberg

 Red Hultberg (1926-2020)

Dr. James Eldon Hultberg, D.D.S. passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at 4:30am at East Jefferson General Hospital at the age of 93 years. He was born October 2, 1926 in Burlington, Iowa to the late Frank Oscar Hultberg and Alice Peterson Hultberg. He was preceded in death by his wife Marion Simmons Hultberg; brother John Hultberg; son-in-law Robert Meadows; and grandson Joshua Meadows. He was the beloved and faithful husband of Marion, the love of his life for 63 years. They were married August 14, 1949 in New Orleans, Louisiana. They traveled extensively and especially enjoyed cruises. They successfully completed five Crescent City Classics and were members of the Let's Dance Club and the Plimsoll Club. He is survived by his daughters, Jan Hultberg Meadows of Elgin, Texas and Joanne Hultberg Gordon and her husband Joseph of Boca Raton, Florida; and his son Jordan Phillip Hultberg of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is the grandfather of Erin Meadows of Elgin, Texas; Kelly Gordon Zemil and her husband Nick Zemil of McLean, Virginia; Scott Gordon of Miami, Florida; Jordan Hultberg and his wife Michelle of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Richard Hultberg and his wife Kelsey of Houston, Texas; Mary Katherine Hultberg of Houston, Texas; and Catherine and Caroline Grace Hultberg of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is also survived by daughter-in-law Angela Meadows Paltadakis; and great- grandchildren Olivia Meadows, Emery and Josh Hultberg and Lane, Ben and Charlie Zemil. He leaves behind Juanita Dusse, his loving companion of six years who was with him in the hospital at the time of his passing, as well as many friends who loved him dearly. James graduated from Warren Easton High School and earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Loyola University in 1948. He served three years in the Navy during WWII and was stationed in San Diego, Whidbey Island, Marshall Islands and Pensacola, attaining the rank of LTJG. He practiced dentistry for 43 years in New Orleans. He was affectionately called "Big Jim" by his family, but known to many in his younger years as Red Hultberg. He was a resident of River Ridge (formerly Little Farms). Big Jim played basketball at Warren Easton and earned a basketball scholarship to Loyola University in New Orleans. He played for the 1945 National Championship team, was inducted into Loyola's Hall of Fame and earned Second-team All American honors. 

Larry Matthews

Frank Lawrence "Larry" Matthews III

Born:
January 12, 1934
Elmira, NY

Died:
October 18, 2005
Chattanooga, TN


Career
1949-50 Horseheads High School - New York (High School)
1950-51 Horseheads High School - New York (High School)
1951-52 Horseheads High School - New York (High School)
1952-53 Elmira Colonels (ABL)
1971-72 Notre Dame High School - Elmira (High School)  Head coach - freshmen
1972-73 Notre Dame High School - Elmira (High School)  Head coach - freshmen
1973-74 Notre Dame High School - Elmira (High School)  Head coach - freshmen

Larry Matthews was a prep star from Horseheads, New York, earning 11 letters at Horseheads HS. The football and basketball star played one game for the ABL's Elmira Colonels in November of 1952. After serving in the USAF, he would work for many years as a teacher, coach and administrator. He eventually accepted a post in Nashville, and died in Tennessee in 2005.



Source:


Stats:

1947-48 Zanesville Pioneers (AABL)

1947-48 ZANESVILLE PIONEERS
ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Finished: 6-15 .286, 6th place

Zanesville managed to claw their way out to a 5-5 start, but then hit the skids, dropping ten of 11 to finish in a distant last place.

Head Coach:

• Manny Hyatt (December 17, 1916 - December 10, 1986) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

• Harold Augsberger (March 27, 1920 - April 23, 2006)

• Bill Cope (October 24, 1923 - March 21, 2014)

• Bill Feeney (February 7, 1924 - January 31, 1990)

• Whitey Fowle (September 30, 1914 - June 1, 1998)

• Manny Hyatt (December 17, 1916 - December 10, 1986)

• Ed Janicki (November 4, 1918 - July 10, 2011)

• Roger Jorgenson (September 2, 1920 - October 3, 2010)

• John Kolodziek (January 24, 1926 - May 12, 1969)

• Hap Smith (November 12, 1924 - c. 2015-16)

• Ed Strall (January 1, 1919 - October 29, 1996)

• Straw  

• Kenny Walters (April 29, 1922 - February 13, 1992)

• Bill Ziemer (May 8, 1923 - May 22, 2015)

(I know you might think Straw is probably a typo for Strall, but they both played in the Feb 1, 1948 game)

1947-48 Youngstown Cubs (AABL)

1947-48 YOUNGSTOWN CUBS
ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Finished: 20-8 .714, 1st place

Semi-finals: Defeated Wheeling, 3-1
AABL Finals: Lost to Dayton, 3-1

When the NBL's Youngstown Bears disbanded following the 1946-47, the end of professional basketball in the Ohio town was short-lived. The town was granted a franchise in the smaller All-American League, and the team took the Cubs moniker, aware that the scope of play was smaller than the NBL. Paul Birch, whose 1946-47 season was his first withut playing, had been the coach of the BAA's Pittsburgh Ironmen but he team folded prior to the 1947-48 season, and Birch would head to Youngstown where he would be the head coach for the Cubs, as well as an active player.

The Bears, playing with a lot of NBL/BAA castoffs, rolled to a regular season title and advanced through the semi-finals before falling to the red-hot Dayton Metros in the AABL Championship series.

Head Coach:

• Paul Birch  (January 4, 1910 - June 5, 1982) Also played. See below.

PLAYERS:

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

• Charlie Butler (August 15, 1920 - October 5, 2014)

• Rudy Debnar (May 9, 1916 - May 29, 1982)

• Ned Endress (March 2, 1918 - June 19, 2010)

• Lou Gabriel (December 13, 1923 - January 4, 1973)

• Bob Henshaw (September 15, 1918- May 29, 2011)

• Charlie Joachim (July 21, 1920 - March 17, 2002)

• Harry Miller (July 28, 1923 - April 18, 2007)

• Leo Mogus (April 13, 1921 - May 31, 1971)

• George Naples (June 6, 1924 - November 26, 1992)

• Fred Paine (December 7, 1925 - October 26, 2004)

1947-48 Wheeling Puritans (AABL)

1947-48 WHEELING PURITANS
ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Finished: 13-14 .481, 3rd place
Semi-Finals: Lost to Youngstown, 3-1


Wheeling pretty much hovered around the .500 mark all season, making the playoffs but losing to Youngstown in the semi-finals. Jimmy Quinlan was the team's high scorer, averaging 15.5 point in the 14 games I could find stats for.

Head Coach:

• 
  

PLAYERS:

• Irv Barnett (October 19, 1920 - April 18, 1999)

• Joe Baron (October 5, 1919 - May 22, 1991)

• Gene Britt (October 13, 1921 - November 29, 2004)

• Al Campeti (October 7, 1923 - December 10, 1992)

• Albert DeVeechis (October 14, 1925 - October 14, 1995)

• Bob Doughty (November 18, 1925 - December 30, 1983)

• Hank Ellis (August 18, 1921 - October 29, 2015)

• Bill Hall (January 19, 1925 - July 15, 1987)

• Paul Herman (July 5, 1921 - July 20, 1972)

• Roger Jorgenson (September 2, 1920 - October 3, 2010)

• Jim Quinlan (May 29, 1922 - July 13, 2003)

• Joe Rodak (May 24, 1923 - June 19, 1996)

• Jim Ruch (August 15, 1920 - July 2, 1984)

• Lou Spicer (November 12, 1922 - June 23, 1981)

1947-48 Cumberland Dukes (AABL)

Coach Bobby Cavanaugh

1947-48 CUMBERLAND DUKES
ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Finished: 10-15 .400, 5th place

The Cumberland Dukes were one of the teams in the AABL that did well at the ticket office, but despite a few talented players, they couldn't get it together to make the playoffs.

Head Coach:

• John J. "Bobby" Cavanaugh (November 23, 1903 - January 1984)

PLAYERS:

Lou Bell

• Lou Bell (August 10. 1922 - August 16, 1993)

• Chick Cubbage (January 1, 1917 - June 27, 1994)

• Eddie Diehl (January 13, 1915 - April 1, 2003)

• Gus Frizzell (January 12, 1921 - January 8, 2005)

• George Geatz (January 26, 1924 - March 9, 1995)

• Norm Mason (February 11, 1920 - November 15, 1999)

• Johnny Meyers (August 29, 1917 - February 20, 1998)

• Paul Oberhaus (September 7, 1920 - December 3, 1974)

• Walt Orndorff (December 18, 1921 - August 25, 2019)

• Bob Pence (August 10, 1922 - August 17, 1991)

• Jim Roby (February 7, 1921 - August 31, 2004)

  

  Walt Orndorff

• Joe Wagner (October 1, 1918 - February 26, 2003)

1947-48 Columbus Mariners / Dayton Metropolitans

1947-48 COLUMBUS MARINERS / DAYTON METROPOLITANS
ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Finished: 16-11 .593, 2nd place
Semi-Finals: Defeated Altoona, 3-0
AABL Championship: Defeated Youngstown, 3-1


After their January 14 win over Zanesville, the Mariners found themselves to deep into the red financially to continue. The league looked to add a team to take their place for the season, and found the Dayton Metropolitans to be receptive. The Mets were a popular barnstorming team at thetime with several flashy players like Sweetwater Clifton and Duke Cumberland. Introduced into league play on January 25, and inheriting the 5-7 record the Mariners had, the Mets won six of their first 8 games (with the only two losses coming at the hands of the front-running Youngstown Cubs). Playing a league schedule while still engaged in a very-full exhibition schedule, the workhorse Mets went 11-4 in the AABL to finish the season at 16-11. Two of the Mets' losses were by a single point.

Rolling into the playoffs, the Mets swept Altoona in the semi-finals to face the powerful Youngstown club in the league championship. Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, the high scorer for the Mets who averaged 16.2 points in regular season league play, lead the Mets to a victory over the Cubs in 4 games.


COLUMBUS: (5-7)

Head Coach:

• Gene Scholz (September 28, 1917 - March 9, 2005) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Harold Augsberger



Willie Garland



Glen Golden

Harold Augsberger (March 27, 1920 - April 23, 2006)

• Bob Clindaniel (May 31, 1922 - June 7, 1988)

Bob Whetstone

• Jim Garland (November 17, 1918 - January 30, 1995)

• Willie Garland (June 9, 1928 - July 19, 1996)

• Glen Golden (February 23, 1919 - July, 1986)

• Earl Kelly (March 26, 1921 - September 5, 1996)

• Babe Mazza (February 6, 1922 - September 12, 2008)

• Gene Scholz (September 28, 1917 - March 9, 2005)

• Vernal "Hap" Smith  (November 12, 1924 - c. 2015 or 2016)

• Bob Whetstone (June 27, 1919 - January 31, 2009)

DAYTON: (11-4)

Head Coach:

• Herb Brown (December 1, 1911 - August 21, 1993) 

Don Blanken

PLAYERS:

• Don Blanken (June 21, 1920 - October 21, 2009)

• Johnny Brown (April 9, 1922 - June 1, 2009)

• Nat Clifton (October 13, 1922 - August 31, 1990)

• Joe Colone (January 23, 1924 - July 1, 2009)

• Duke Cumberland (1913 - October 16, 1974)

• Chris Hansen (February 10, 1919 - April 28, 2002)

• Don Harvey (July 29, 1920 - November 26, 2008)

• Les Pugh (September 18, 1922 - February 25, 1979)

• Ollie White (March 27, 1923 - February 25, 2003)

• Roy Witry (September 28, 1923 - October 6. 2010)

Roy Witry

1947-48 Altoona Edwards / Railroaders (AABL)

Coach Chick Davies

1947-48 ALTOONA EDWARDS / RAILROADERS
ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Finished: 9-11 .450, 4th place
Semi-Finals: Lost to Dayton, 3-0

Altoona, listed as going by the Edwards and the Railroaders, had some talented players like Dom Asmonga and Mike Bytzura. The finished in fourth place and made the playoffs, but were swept by eventual champions Dayton.

Legendary Duquesne coach Chick Davies was the named the head coach, but it appears in games that were in conflict with his duties at Duquesne, Wy Paris coached. Hard to say when this happened, by Davies is listed as coach in games in the beginning and end of the season, and Paris is mentions as coach in the middle of the season.

Head Coaches:

Bobby Artman

• Charles "Chick" Davies (April 30, 1900 - April 15, 1985)
• Wy Paris (August 5, 1908 - May 21, 2001) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

• Bobby Artman (February 8, 1922 - April 9, 1975)

• Dom Asmonga (February 15, 1928 - January 13, 2014)

• Jim Atkins (August 25, 1924 - March 10, 2012)

• Moe Becker (February 24, 1917 - January 9, 1996)

Jimmy Atkins

• Johnny Beecham (April 13, 1928 - May 4, 2011)

• Mike Bytzura (June 18, 1922 - January 24, 1989)

• Bill DeVenzio (August 2, 1924 - January 1, 1969)

• Don Graham (August 27, 1925 - April 18, 2009)

• Dave Hornstein (August 16, 1922 - September 25, 1997)

• Al Hruska (June 18, 1929 - July 4, 2001)

• Hurd

• Ed Janicki (November 4, 1918 - July 10, 2011)

• Red Manning (November 17, 1928 - April 27, 2005)

• Red Mihalik (September 22, 1916 - October 25, 1996)

• Walt Miller (July 20, 1915 - January 21, 2001)

• Stan Noszka (September 9, 1920 - November 15, 1991)

• Wy Paris (August 5, 1908 - May 21, 2001) 

• Joe Penzelik (January 13, 1921 - May 13, 1970)

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

• Eddie Strall (January 1, 1919 - October 29, 1996)

Stan Wasik

• Bill Vojtko (August 18, 1921 - May 24, 2012)

• Stan Wasik (December 24, 1919 - November 6, 2005)

• Hank Zeller (July 10, 1919 - September 22, 2004)

Joe Penzelik

Ed Janicki

Bill Vojtko

1947-48 AABL

The All-American Basketball League started their inaugural season in the fall of 1947. The Youngstown Cubs, so-named due to their lower status to the NBL's Youngstown Bears who had folded after the previous season, proved to be the team to beat. The Cubs won 19 of their first 22 before a five-game skid allowed them to finish the season 20-8 and .3.5 games ahead of second place. The owners of the second place finish were the Dayton Metros. A team from Columbus, Ohio, called the Mariners, got off to a mediocre start. In mid January, the entire Columbus team was dismissed and the team was expected to be excised from the league, but the leadership was able to coax the Dayton Metropolitans, a popular barnstorming team, to fill in for Columbus for the remainder of the season.  The Metros went 11-4 and climbed into second place at the end of the season.

The Wheeling Puritans, lead by Jimmy Quinlan's 15.5 points per game*, finished in third place, while the Altoona club finished in fourth and became the last team to qualify for the playoffs. The popular Cumberland (MD) Dukes, who drew well, finished in fifth and missed the playoffs despite two of the leagues better scorers in Lou Bell and Bob Pence.The Zanesville team started the season with a respectable 4-4 record after ten games, but then fell into a 10-game losing skid that sent them deep into the cellar for good.

The playoffs kicked of on March 14, 1948, with Dayton drubbing the Altoona Railroaders 68-44. Altoona came back to give Dayton a couple of tough games but lost the final two games by a total of four points and were swept out of the best-of-five semifinal. Meanwhile, regular season champ Youngstown needed 4 games to dispatch Wheeling. Youngstown and Dayton met for the 1948 Championship, and the teams split the first two game in Youngstown before the Metros pounded the Cubs in games 3 and 4 to win the title.

Teams:
Altoona Edwards / Railroaders
Columbus Mariners / Dayton Metropolitans
Cumberland Dukes
Wheeling Puritans
Youngstown Cubs
Zanesville Pioneers


* based on statistics I was able to cull from boxscores I found, not official league stats

All-American Basketball League (AABL)

The All-American Basketball League was formed in the summer of 1947 and was located geographically mainly in the Mid-Atlantic States, from Maryland to eastern Ohio. The league started in the fall of 1947 with six teams. The league never went beyond six teams, but played with only five squads in the 1949-50 season. The Cumberland (MD) Dukes and the Wheeling Puritans / Blues were the more successful franchises in the AABL. The league lasted four seasons before folding in the summer of 1951.

I will not go into great detail here. I am just going to list rosters and teams. I found a good portion of  the box scores, so the rosters should be fairly complete.

Bill Thompson (NBL) Identified

Researcher Shane Holman found a member of Bill Thompson's family to confirm his identity and birth and death dates, and I tracked down the obituary.

Bill Thompson

Bones Spudic Finally Identified

Shane Holmes found his obiutary, so we know who Bones Spudic(h) was.

Bones Spudic

Willis Young (NBL, MBC) Identity Corrected

Thanks to some input from reader Shane Hoimes, I was able to correct the previous identification of Willis Young from Chicago.

Willie Young

Harry Lucas Identified

With help from blog reader Shane Holmes, I was able to confirm the identity of the former Chicago Duffy Florals (MBC) player as the man I had suspected. Harry Lucas is Harry William Lucas (born 1910)

Thank you for the help, Shane!

Harry Lucas

In Memoriam: Jack "Red" McGaffney (Philadelphia SPHA's)

Red McGaffney, one of the last remaining members of the Philadelphia SPHA's, died earlier this year.

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John J. McGaffney, 95, passed away Monday, Feb. 5, surrounded by his family at home in Egg Harbor Township.

Affectionately known as “Big Red” or “Reds,” John J. McGaffney was born and raised in the Inlet section of Atlantic City. Despite growing up during the great depression and losing his father at an early age, Reds remembered his early days in the Inlet fondly. Often telling stories of his many friends and adventures.

An avid sports fan, especially basketball and baseball, he loved the Phillies, Sixers, Eagles and the Philadelphia “Big 5” college basketball.

John attended Holy Spirit and Atlantic City Trade School, where he played basketball. He also played basketball in many city leagues as a young man (teams like Hap Farley’s, Keely Democrats). He played briefly for the Philadelphia Sphas prior to enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corp.

Reds married his beloved wife Virginia in 1949. After living in Atlantic City for several years, they moved to Northfield where they raised their family. Most recently residing in Egg Harbor Township with his daughter, Christine. In 1954, he began his career with Swift & Company as branch superintendent where he remained until his retirement.

John was very active in the Northfield All-Sports Association, coaching Little League and Biddy Basketball and serving as President in the early 1960’s.

His greatest pride was his family: Virginia, their four children John (Kathleen), Christine, Nancy Morris (Michael) and Patricia Previti (Anthony); seven grandchildren (Matthew McGaffney, Cari Eckel and Erin Wilkenson, Emily and Anna Previti, Tim and Laura Morris) and nine great-grandchildren (Matthew and Marissa, Shea, Mackie, and Ty, Bailey, Porter, and Harper, and Teddy).

John is predeceased by his wife of 62 years Virginia (1926 - 2012), brother Francis and sisters Elizabeth, Rosemary and Patricia.

In Memoriam: Jim Tucker (Syracuse Nationals)

Jim Tucker, three-year NBA veteran and for 60 years the record holder for the fastest Triple-Double, died last week (May 14, 2020).

Jim Tucker (1932-2020)

John Orr (NBL player, Chicago) identifed and corrected

The John Orr (not the same as the famous Michigan head coach) who played in the NBL in the 1940's was previously not correctly identified here (and is currently still incorrect on the Pro Basketball Encyclopedia). I found a draft registration that listed his career as a baseball player. Since the Johnny Orr who played with the NBL's Chicago clubs was also a minor league baseball player, this pointed away from the previously identification as John R. Orr (1918-1981),  His draft registration gave me his mother's name, which helped me to track Orr to Tucson, Arizona, in the mid 1950's. He died on cancer and his obituary confirmed his athletic endeavors and his attendance at St Rita HS in  Chicago.

Johnny Orr (1918-1982)

In Memoriam: Dick Schnittker

Dick Schnittker (1928-2020)

Dick Schnittker, a three-sport standout at Sandusky High School who went on to star at Ohio State and win a pair of NBA championships, died last week at age 91.

Schnittker died of natural causes at his Green Valley, Arizona, home Jan. 12.

Schnittker was named to Sandusky High’s inaugural hall of fame class in 1990 before playing football and basketball at Ohio State and winning NBA titles with the Minneapolis Lakers. But the seeds for his competitive legacy were planted in northwest Ohio.

Schnittker grew up on Kelly’s Island and had three brothers. Lyle was the youngest, then Dick, Max and Bill, the oldest.

“Bill was the worst. He was the instigator,” Dick’s wife, Barb, remembers Dick saying.

One day, Bill challenged his younger brothers to see who could venture the furthest across iced-over Lake Erie. The brothers fell in.

Knowing their mother would be upset to learn of their game, the brothers built a fire to dry their clothes. Unfortunately, their mom smelled smoke on them when they returned home and sussed out the real story. The Schnittker boys were promptly sent to their rooms without supper.

The competitive nature that drove Dick to walk on the ice eventually drove him to athletic success at Sandusky High. Schnittker became a star in football, basketball and track as a Blue Streak.

In track, he broke the school record in the high jump multiple times between 1941 and 1945. That athleticism transferred to the football field, where Schnittker played tight end well enough to earn a football scholarship offer from Ohio State, and to the basketball court, where he led the Blue Streaks to a Sweet 16 appearance as a 6-foot-5 forward.

Despite the scholarship offer in football, Schnittker opted to try out for basketball at Ohio State. Not only did he make the team, he quickly became the Buckeyes’ best player. He averaged 18.4 points per game in three seasons, leading Ohio State to the Elite Eight in 1950, his final season with the team.

“He’s wonderful,” Ohio State basketball coach Tippy Dye once said of Schnittker. “What else can you say about that guy?”

He even made his mark on the Ohio State football program in 1949. When OSU’s starting tight end was lost for the season due to injury, Schnittker stepped in and caught a touchdown pass against California in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 1950.

The NBA’s Washington Capitols made Schnittker the fourth pick in the 1950 NBA draft, but he was drafted by the military after one season. After two years in the military, he rejoined the NBA as a forward with the Minneapolis Lakers. His first season in 1953 overlapped with the legendary George Mikan, and the Lakers won back-to-back championships in Schnittker’s first two seasons with the team.

That was a few years after he met Barb, to whom he was married for nearly 70 years. They were introduced by mutual friends in the summer of 1949, right before Schnittker’s final college season. Barb went to Stevens College in Missouri but lived in Ohio.

Upon meeting Dick, she immediately noticed his tall, athletic build.

“Where’d you meet your little friend?” Barb quipped at the time to her friend, Nancy.

After Dick was drafted into the military, they quickly married. When Dick became a Laker, they bought their first home in Minneapolis.

Dick’s role with the Lakers was limited at first — in ’53, he didn’t play until the NBA Finals — but he became a reliable scorer as his career progressed. He averaged 10 points per game in his second season and 11 in his third. He averaged eight points per game for his career.

Barb loved being a Laker wife. She particularly enjoyed attending games with the other players’ wives and the local celebrity she accrued.

“The recognition was really special,” Barb said. “I could go to the grocery store and they knew who I was. It was a great time. We had a wonderful time.”

Dick enjoyed his life as a basketball player, but he valued his family’s future above all else. When the Lakers began considering a move, he took a job selling adhesives for H.B. Fuller in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with an eye toward a stable family life.

“He had a opportunity for this job and the future,” Barb said. “He always thought about us first.”

The Schnittkers built that life in Green Bay, where they lived for seven years. They had a son, Richard Jr., nicknamed “Riff,” and discovered their passion for God. The Schnittkers started by hosting bible studies at their home, but eventually Dick bought an old building and turned it into the Green Bay Community Church.

Riff remembers hauling materials while his dad revamped the church’s basement, which was filled with water three feet deep when the Schnittkers bought the building.

All the while, Dick maintained his love for sports. The Schnittkers always made the trip to watch Ohio State’s football team play Wisconsin in Madison. Riff remembers meeting players on the sideline thanks to his dad’s status as a Buckeye legend.

Schnittker also played golf for most of his post-playing days. He was pretty good at that, too. Grandson Kevin said Dick recorded three holes-in-one during his life.

Dick’s status as a former Laker particularly impressed his friends at the golf club in Green Valley, where the Schnittkers moved in the early 1990s to be closer to Barb’s mother. Riff followed suit and brought the three Schnittker grandchildren with him.

As he aged, Dick committed even more time to taking care of his family, but never lost touch with sports. He enjoyed golf until a neuropathy left him unable to play. His family gathered to watch the Ohio State-Michigan game at his house each year. Who he was watching with meant just as much as who won the game.

“Pretty much dad included me in everything he was doing,” Riff said. “He was a very good teacher with tools, with sports, with just about anything.”

That’s how his loved ones will choose to remember him. Not as the star athlete he was in his early days, but the committed family man he grew to be after he called it quits. Even in death, Dick’s surviving family members are confident he’s focused on family. Dick’s grandson, Brian, died of leukemia a few months before his 17th birthday. The Schnittkers are comforted by the idea of Dick and Brian making up for lost time.

“I think we’re all happy (Dick) is up there with (Brian) now,” Kevin said.

The rest of Dick’s friends and family will cherish his memory, whether they remember him catching touchdowns and swishing jump shots or building churches and teaching life lessons.

In Barb’s case, she’ll remember the support he showed her for nearly 70 years. The couple would’ve celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary in February.

“When I think about Dick, I just love him to pieces because he let me be who I was, and he always took care of me,” Barb said. “We were a team — that is what I’ll remember.”

Sandusky High School graduate Dick Schnittker was a standout basketball player at Ohio State who went on to win two NBA championships with the Minneapolis Lakers. He died this week at age 91.

- Jimmy Watkins, Sandusky Register -

1950-51 Wallingford Veterans (EBL-CT)

1950-51 WALLINGFORD VETS
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - CONNECTICUT

Finished: 9-12 .429, T-3rd place

Semi-finals: Lost to Manchester, 2-1

Coached by Jack French, who was also the basketball coach at Meriden High School, Wallingford got off to a slow 2-6 start and never could piece together a good winning stretch despite a fairly talented team. They would lose to eventual champion Manchester in the semi-finals.

Head Coach:

• Jack French (July 30, 1924 - November 29, 2004) Also played. See below.

PLAYERS:

• Ed Anderson  

• Berselli  

• George Feigenbaum (July 2, 1928 - December 25, 2000)

• George Ferrie (March 2, 1928 - October 18, 2011)

• Dick Feurtado (May 20, 1926 - May 9, 1991)

• Danny Finn (May 29, 1928 - February 18, 2007)

• Chuck Foster  

• Jack French (July 30, 1924 - November 29, 2004)

• Walt Geoghan (March 28, 1925 - Mar 22, 1997)

• Albert Gostyla (October 4, 1920 - February 27, 2016)

• Jankowski 

• Kars 

• Don Kotter (December 29, 1920 - November 11, 1985)

• McNeff 

• Nat Miller  

• Dermie O'Connell (April 13, 1928 - October 5, 1988)

• Frank O'Shea

• Johnny Penkrot (February 6. 1927 - June 26, 1978)

• Ed Schwartz 

• Spud Shapiro (January 1, 1925 - March 24, 2000)

• Johnny Slab (May 1, 1920 - August 20, 1980)

• Joe Stanislo 

• Edward Whalen  

• Milt Woolman  

1950-51 Torrington Howards (EBL-CT)

1950-51 TORRINGTON HOWARDS
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - CONNECTICUT

Finished: 9-12 .429, T-3rd place

Semi-Finals: Defeated Meriden, 2-0
Championship: Lost to Manchester, 2-0

Torrington returned to the league after a rough season prior. With a fully revamped line-up, they were slightly improved and surprisingly defeated Meriden in the playoffs. However, they were swept by Manchester in the championship series.


Head Coach:   

• Chili Edelstein (March 16, 1923 - March 19, 2003) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

• Italo Ablondi (August 25, 1925 - June 16, 2001)

• Barrett 

• Camp 

• Johnny Cilfone (December 8, 1930 - March 12, 1973)

• Jack Doherty (February 27, 1921 - November 14, 1995)

• Chili Edelstein (March 16, 1923 - March 19, 2003)

• Gino Fabiaschi (b. March 17, 1931)

• George Feigenbaum (July 2, 1928 - December 25, 2000)

• Slim Garrett  

• Tom Gibbons  

• Ed Golub (December 25, 1922 - November 3, 2000)

• Vic Hanson (February 29, 1928 - October 15, 1988)

• Ken Keller (August 16, 1922 - February 24, 1983)

• Chubby Malinconico (November 16, 1921 - March 14, 2007)

• Hank Massa (July 28, 1925 - May 19, 2015)

• Johnny Michaels 

• Bob Mulvihill (March 9, 1924 - May 17, 2016)

• Murphy  

• Peters  

• Alex Peterson (July 20, 1924 - June 23, 2014)

• Marty Powers (March 27, 1928 - December 21, 1991)

• John Schick (January 6, 1916 - January 8, 1990)

• Al Shiels (August 6, 1928 - May 19, 2005)

• John Tolan (March 26, 1929 - September 2, 2008)

• Tom Tolan (August 15, 1924 - May 17, 2021)

• Jimmy Weston (November 2, 1922 - February 6, 1997)

1950-51 Meriden Sons of Italy (EBL-CT)

1950-51 MERIDEN SONS OF ITALY
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - CONNECTICUT

Finished: 16-6 .727, 1st place


Semi-finals: Lost to Torrington, 2-0


Meriden came into the league last year and quickly turned the heads of the competition. They opted to withdraw from the league in October of 1950, but were coaxed back into the league. This year, couldn't quite gel in the first half, only winning 7 of their first 12 games. At this point, they caught fire and won 8 straight games to jump into first place. However, when the playoffs came around, they ran into Torrington, who dispatched them easily.

Head Coach: 



PLAYERS:

• Ernie Calverly (January 30, 1924 - October 20, 2003)

• Dipersio 

• Len Doctor (July 23, 1922 - November 10, 2008)

• Bob Fitzgerald (March 14, 1923 - July 23, 1983)

• Francis  

• Gaffney  

• Coulby Gunther (February 5, 1923 - July 14, 2005) ??

• Dick Hole (May 3, 1925 - June 21, 1981)

• George Jarvis (August 6, 1923 - December 1, 2014)

• Don Kotter (December 29, 1920 - November 11, 1985)

• Barry Kreisberg (January 7, 1925 - December 29, 1997)

• Paul Labanowski (March 27, 1928 - March 7, 2002)

• Tom Leverte (September 28, 1927 - May 23, 2011)

• Freddie Lewis (January 6, 1921 - December 27, 1994)

• Ross Merrick (July 20, 1922 - January 24, 2004)

• George Nostrand (January 25, 1924 - November 8, 1991)

• Bill Pless (June 3, 1928 - October 25, 2001)

• Race 

• Ed Readin 

• Pete Rybeck (November 29, 1929 - March 25, 2000)

• Joe Schiopucie (March 20, 1921 - June 12, 2001)

• Ed Schwartz 

• Earl Shannon (November 23, 1921 - July 8, 2002)

• Spira 

• Tom Whipple (December 11, 1927 - December 12, 2002)

1950-51 Manchester Nassiff Arms (EBL-CT)

1950-51 MANCHESTER NASSIFF ARMS
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - CONNECTICUT

Finished: 13-8 .619, 2nd place

Semi-finals: Defeated Wallingford, 2-1
Championship: Defeated Torrington, 2-0

Manchester, winner of the league championship last year, bolted out to a 6-0 start and won 9 of 11. They stumbled a bit in January, dropping three straight, but rebounded to finish 13-8.

In the playoffs, they squared off against Wallingford and beat the Vets in a hard fought series. Facing Torrington for the EBL Championship, the Nassiff Arms beat Torrington in two straight to win their second straight title.

In a bid to bring in some money lost by the shortcomings of the league and cancelled games, Manchester then played a best-of-three series against Meriden, who also claim to win the regular season title. Manchester dropped Meriden with two wins.


Head Coach:

• Earl Yost (August 14, 1921 - September 3, 2005) Also played. See below.

Bruno Bycholski

PLAYERS:

• Jack Allen (April 11, 1923 - August 24, 1966)

• Puggy Bell  (November 26, 1914 - February 19, 1985)

• Joe Bemer (February 21, 1930 - June 3, 2001)

• Frank Bryer (December 12, 1925 - April 11, 2009)

• Bruno Bycholski (September 2, 1916 - May 28, 2010)

• Jack Curran (b. 1924)

• Hank Dezonie (February 12, 1922 - January 2, 2009)

• Jackie Foerst (June 8, 1927 - October 7, 2016)

• Gavdino 

• Leon Golembiewski (August 17, 1923 - December 23, 1988)

• Howland 

• Ernie Johnson (June 16, 1924 - August 12, 2011)

• George Joyce (October 18, 1926 - March 17, 1976)

• Bobby Knight (April 30, 1929 - May 23, 2008)

• Litvinchyk 

• Chuck Muzikevik (March 11, 1922 - November 5, 1972)

• Pete Staum (May 28, 1916 - September 23, 2002)

• Al Surowiec (January 18, 1926 - November 16, 1992)

•  Chuck Tobin (June 12, 1925 - February 19, 2000)

• Fran Walsh (August 8, 1927 - June 29, 2009)

• Tom Whipple (December 11, 1927 - December 12, 2002)

• Young 

• Earl Yost (August 14, 1921 - September 3, 2005)

1950-51 Hartford Hurricanes (EBL-CT)

1950-51 HARTFORD HURRICANES
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - CONNECTICUT

Finished: 8-14 .364, 6th place

Hartford was a late addition to the Eastern League. Having dropped out of the ABL the previous basketball season, the Hurricanes stepped up and joined the EBL when the league pleaded to add a team in the Capital City in order to even start play. Hartford drew very poorly, and the team quit prior to their final game of the season.

Head Coach:

• John O'Brien (July 25, 1916 - June 18, 1994)

PLAYERS:  

• Italo Ablondi (August 25, 1925 - June 16, 2001)

• Bob Anderson (February 15, 1928 - July 23, 1983)

• Frank Bores (October 15, 1920 - January 7, 1982)

• Ed Chenetz (b. January 30, 1931)

• Chick Ciccarello (December 17, 1931 - March 21, 2008)

• Max Cogan (July 14, 1928 - January 1, 1988)

• Verne Cox (January 2, 1920 - September 7, 1991)

• Cliff Crosby (b. September 4, 1928)

• Lou Decsi (February 9, 1923 - November 19, 2018)

• Bill Detrick (July 22, 1927 - September 19, 2014)

• Jack Dineen (September 12, 1926 - April 25, 2010)

• Bob Hubbard (December 27, 1922 - August 27, 2011)

• Arnold Jones (b. March 2, 1921)

• Paul Klapprodt (July 10, 1923 - April 21, 2011)

• Herb Krautblatt (November 19, 1926 - February 10, 1999)

• Joe Kubachka (March 21, 1924 - January 23, 2012)

• Ferd Nadherny (December 12, 1926 - March 12, 2013)

• Ernie Oglesby (June 30, 1931 - April 22, 2015)   

• Bill Pitkin (October 9, 1925 - March 7, 1989)

• Eddie Rosmarin (September 14, 1924 - September 30, 2013)

• George Sella (September 29, 1928 - January 25, 2022)

• Norm Skinner (b. June 15, 1926)

• Ken Walters (April 29, 1922 - February 13, 1992)