Thursday, December 1, 2022

New updates, identifications, corrections, November 2022

Taking some time and looking back to fill in some holes or close some things out.

DETAILS ADDED:

Gene Stump, NBA - Died in 2014

PROPERLY IDENTIFIED:

Martie Goldstein, ABL

CORRECTED:

Gene Stump, NBA - Birthdate corrected to August 9, 1925

NEW LEADS UNRESOLVED:

Monday, October 31, 2022

New updates, identifications, corrections, October 2022

Taking some time and looking back to fill in some holes or close some things out.

DETAILS ADDED:

Rollie Seltz (NBL, NPBL, NBA) - Died October 13, 2022

PROPERLY IDENTIFIED:

Vernel "Hap" Smith, AABL

CORRECTED:


NEW LEADS UNRESOLVED:

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

New updates, identifications, corrections, September 2022

 Taking some time and looking back to fill in some holes or close some things out.

DETAILS ADDED:

Don Delaney, AABL (AAU)  - Added date of death

Marshall Fox, ABL (AAU) - Added date of death

Don Seidel, ABL (AAU) - Added date of death

PROPERLY IDENTIFIED:

Red Fitzsimmons, ABL

CORRECTED:


NEW LEADS UNRESOLVED:

Al BiolsiABL - Might be living in New York.

Mike DiTomasso, ABL - possibly the player listed simply as "Ditomonsin"

Monday, September 19, 2022

In Memoriam: Red Fitzsimmons (ABL)

Red Fitzsimmons (1932-2022)

James “Red” Fitzsimmons, 89, of Forest City, died Saturday, August 27, 2022, at the Forest City Nursing and Rehab Center. His wife of 55 years, Janet Beautz Fitzsimmons died in 2010.

Born October 2, 1932, in Forest City, he was the son of the late Francis and Alice Walsh Fitzsimmons. Jim graduated from St. Rose High School and attended East Stroudsburg University. At St. Rose, he was an outstanding basketball player who helped advance the team to the 1951 State Championship game. He played semi-professionally for the Scranton Miners and was inducted into the Chic Feldman Foundation Scranton Area Sports Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame for his basketball accomplishments.

Prior to retirement, Jim was the owner of the Fitzsimmons Insurance Agency, starting his career in 1957 and spanning over 50 years. He was a member of Ascension Parish, Forest City, their Holy Name Society, and served as a Eucharistic Minister. Jim enjoyed making chicken on the grill and soups in the kitchen, but his holiday stuffing was a family favorite. His love of travel and camping with his wife, children and friends led him on many trips throughout the U.S. and internationally. Jim was an enthusiastic fan of Drum & Bugle competitions and enjoyed following NCAA basketball. He was a devoted family man that will be greatly missed.

He is survived by three sons James and wife Mary, Browndale; Francis and wife Lorri, Lancaster; and Brian and wife Kristina, Browndale; Two daughters Kathleen and husband Joseph Sterchak, Collegeville, PA; and Maureen and husband Wayne Franco, West Chester, PA; ten grandchildren, Ashley, Logan, Daniel, Matthew, Sara, Benjamin, Emily, Lauren, Jacob and Cooper; four great grandchildren Julianna, Abigail, Owen, and Lucas; several brothers/sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Also preceded in death by four brothers Joseph, Thomas, Robert and Edward; four sisters Rosemary Novak, Ann Turner, Alice Kulick, and Carol Flynn.

Funeral will be Friday at 9:30 from the Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home, 513 Main Street, Forest City, with Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Joseph's Church, Forest City. Interment in St. Agnes Cemetery, Forest City. Viewing on Thursday 5-8 pm and Friday from 9 am until time of funeral.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Jim's name to St. Joseph's Center Foundation, 2010 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.



Monday, August 15, 2022

In Memoriam: Frank Otway (NBL)

Frank Otway (1923-2022)

Frank H. Otway, married to the love of his life, Isabel "Tommie" Otway for 80 years, formerly of Springfield, born 3/1/1923, passed peacefully at home in Orange City, FL, on 4/21/2022, at 99 years old. He joins in Heaven his 5 children, Dale, Gary, Christine, Lyris and Robert, his 3 grandchildren, Glenn, Elaine, Nicole and a great-grandchild, Tori. He leaves behind daughter-in-law, Leigh, 12 grandchildren, 25 great-grands, 2 great-greats and his love of Basketball.

US Marine Corp 1943-1946, Coached Marine's 8th Services basketball team - Won Armed Forces Olympics, losing only one game! Rider Univ. Graduate 1951. Retired from Schaefer's Wholesale Bakery as President and CEO.

Proudly served his community as a member of Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce; Junior Achievement; Ohio Chamber of Commerce; Ohio Bakers Association; Tri-State Bakers Club; Rotary Club of Springfield; American Society of Bakery Engineers; American Bakers Association; VP Tecumseh Council Boy Scouts of America; Oakland Presbyterian Church-Board of Trustees; Springfield Symphony-Board of Trustees; United Way; Director-Banc Ohio/ First National Bank; Director-Sweet Manufacturing Co; St. Johns Nursing Home - Board of Trustees; Chairman Clark County Republican Party; Member - Northminster Presbyterian Church



Friday, August 12, 2022

In Memoriam: Les Rothman (ABL, NBL)

Les Rothman (1926-2022)

Rothman was a captain at LIU and played in both the ABL and NBL as well as playing minor league baseball. He was the last surviving member of the 1946-47 NBL Champion Chicago American Gears.

According to my records, only 7 players from the NBL survive.


ROTHMAN--Lester. August 12, 1926 - July 27, 2022. Beloved son of Sol and Anna Rothman, brother of Lillian Kulick and Ruth Barry, husband of Dr. Beulah Gordon Rothman and Doris Hazelcorn Rothman (all deceased). Captain of the LIU Basketball team, professional basketball and baseball player, Principal of Roslyn Junior High School and Assistant Principal New York City School System, Director of Camp Louemma & Camp Willoway. Dedicated to educating children, a caring mentor to teachers and staff, known for his kind temperament, remarkable intelligence, and warmth. Devoted to daughters Abby M. Rothman and Meah Tell, grandchildren David Tell (Emily) and Shoshana Tell (David Gottlieb), and identical-twin great-grandsons Avi and Ilan Gottlieb-Tell. Survived by loving companion Sydelle Apfel. Burial at 3:00pm, Sunday, July 31, 2022 Mount Hebron Cemetery, Queens, New York. Contributions in his memory can be made to Beulah Rothman Endowed Scholarship Fund. 

In Memoriam: Norm McCool (NPBL)

Norm McCool (1927-2022)


Norman McCool, 94, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, on July 2, 2022. He was born to L.R. and Minnie (Sasse) McCool on September 19, 1927.

An Evansville native, Norm grew up with an innate love of sports, which he shared with his family and community. He attended Bosse High School where he was a proud member of the 1944 and 1945 State Basketball Championship teams. After high school, he was offered a contract with a major league baseball team, the St. Louis Browns. He chose, instead, to play basketball at Purdue. In 1950, Norm played in the National Professional Basketball League. One of his favorite memories was defeating the Harlem Globetrotters in 1951!

Eventually, Norm was called home to work for the family business, Coca-Cola Bottling Works. He was happy to do so, and saw this as an opportunity to make a difference in his community. In 1992, Norm was awarded “Man of the Year” by the Friends of Bosse Field for his many contributions to youth sports in Evansville. From coaching, to building concession stands, to sponsoring the high school soccer programs, Norm was involved. He wanted every child to have the opportunity to play a team sport.

He gave his support to the Evansville Museum, Shanklin Theatre, Evansville Civic Theatre, Carson Center, Special Olympics, and the Deaconess Foundation. His memberships included; Phi Gamma Delta, Tri-State Athletic Club, Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, Tennis Hall of Fame, Central Turners, Rolling Hills Country Club, Roberts Stadium Board, UE Presidents Club, and Aldersgate UMC.

His retirement years kept him busy with wood-working, attending his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s activities, tennis and golf, loving his dogs, and enjoying music. He loved everything from Opera to Bluegrass to Rock and Roll! He was a great storyteller and had a million to tell.

Norm’s greatest joy was creating wonderful memories for his family and the city he loved. He was a generous man, a great Dad, and a loyal friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, David; sister, Eleanor Fisher; and brother, Ralph McCool.

He is survived by his bride of 73 years, Maxey (McGowan); sons, Michael (Belle Anne) and Jim; daughter, Cary Gray (Michael); grandchildren, Christopher, Jason, Patrick, Jessica, Nick, John, Sara, Daniel, Ryan, and Olivia; 23 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.



In Memoriam: Bill Butterfield (NPBL)

Bill Butterfield (1928-2022)

Butterfield played for Evansville of the short-lives National Professional Basketball League in 1950-51.

---------------------------

William “Bill” Butterfield, 94, peacefully passed away on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at his home surrounded by his family. An Evansville native, son of the late Sidney and Ruth (Lane) Butterfield, Bill loved and served the community that raised him. To that end, he started businesses, chaired charitable boards, and fought hard to keep Evansville and all of Indiana a safe haven for the unborn. An early advocate for Civil Rights, Bill cared that the rights of all people, born and unborn, were protected, and he faithfully and passionately lived out that belief. Even in his last weeks of life, his family and friends were receiving emails from him keeping them informed on local and state issues of importance. His faith in Jesus Christ and deep love for his family inspired him, and he will be fondly remembered for his heart of gold and engaging sense of humor. Bill attended Bosse high school and served as the president of the Student Council for 2 years. He received his undergraduate degree at Purdue University where he was president of the senior class, president of the alumni class, president of Delta Rho Kappa, a Purdue Science Scholastic Honorary, graduated with the highest distinction, and was a member of the Century Club. He received his masters degree at Harvard Business School with the HBS Honorary. As a businessman, Bill left his mark as the prior owner/president of Tri-State Athletic Club, Tri-State Satellite, Smith and Butterfield, Ambassador Travel, Snap Photo, and Evansville Basketball Academy. As a humanitarian and philanthropist, he served as chairman of the board for Vanderburgh County Right to Life, WNIN Public Broadcasting, Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana, United Way of Southwestern Indiana, and the March of Dimes Polio Campaign. He also served as a board member for Life Issues Institute and Indiana Right to Life, campaign chairman for the United Way of Southwestern Indiana, and the president and treasurer of the Mayor’s Human Relations Committee. He received the Vanderburgh County Right to Life Notable Achievement Award and the Jaycee Distinguished Service Award. Bill loved sports, particularly Purdue University sports! An avid tennis and basketball player, he was a champion athlete: a member of the 1945 Bosse High School state championship team, member of the 1946 Indiana Basketball High School All Stars, a Purdue University basketball letterman, played one year in the National Professional Basketball League and defeated the Harlem Globe Trotters, and he was a member of the Robert’s Stadium Basketball Hall of Fame. He served on the board of Evansville Area Tennis Patrons and was chairman of the board for the National Indoor Tennis Association. Keeping his family close was a high priority for Bill. He blessed his children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren with frequent trips together and family reunions so that they could know and love each other as he knew and loved them. He is survived by a son, James (Barbara) Butterfield of Evansville, IN; daughters, Kathy (Rev. David) Brooks of Manchester, NH, Betsy (Fred) McGarvey of Indianapolis, IN, Sarah (Gerd) Budden of Lake Oswego, OR., Tracy (Phil) Kessler of Evansville, IN, Rhonda (Tim) Dame of Evansville, IN, Kelly Butterfield of Evansville, IN, and Jama (Jeff) Bannister of Evansville, IN; grandchildren, Sarah Cox, Jon Brooks, Courtney Hahn, Daniel Brooks, Caleb Brooks, Andrea Prisk, Megan McGarvey, Elizabeth McGarvey, Anna Budden, Sidney Waddington, Amy Giorgio, William Brooks, Sarah Morris, Jan Budden, Logan Dame, Katarina Budden, David Butterfield, Hilary Scott, Christian Budden, Mackenzie Santos, Harrison Parchment, Mia Parchment, Bjorn Budden, Eric Budden, and Vivecka Heinke; 37 great-grandchildren; sister, Dr. Mary Butterfield of Pompano Beach, FL.; nephew, William Thomas; and nieces, Mary Thomas Lentz, Julie Thomas Cohen, and Sarah Thomas Petro. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ruth Thomas; and his former wife, Connie Butterfield. Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at Alexander Funeral Home-East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714. Funeral Services will begin at 1:30 p.m. June 19, 2022 at Bethel Church, 4400 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714 with Pastors Steve and Dave Schwambach officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Bill’s funeral service will be livestreamed beginning at 1:15 p.m., please visit the following link, www.facebook.com/FuneralStreamUSA. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to Right to Life of Southwest Indiana, 20 NW Third Street, Suite 810, Evansville, IN 47708; Indiana Right to Life, 9465 Counselors Row, Indianapolis, IN 46240; 1 on 1 Church 5177 Rosebud Lane, Evansville, IN 47630; Bethel Church 4400 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714. The family would love to hear your favorite story of Bill. Please visit www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.

In Memoriam: Joe Casey (SPBL)

 Joe Casey (1926-2022)

Casey is the last confirmed survivor of the old Southern Professional Basketball League which ran two seasons from 1947-1949.

-------------------------------------------------------

Retired Chief Joe D. Casey of MNPD passed away July 31, 2022 on his 96th birthday. Born July 31, 1926 in Cheatham County, TN. Preceded in death by his wife, Jewell; his parents Charley and Ethel Casey; daughters, Lynn Casey and Minka Perry, granddaughter, Kelly Jo Herrman, sisters, Imogene Noe, Mary Elizabeth Womack, brothers Owen and Charles Casey. Survived by his children Starr Herrman, son in law J.R. Perry, Karen (David) Torr and Mike (Teresa) Casey; grandchildren Brent (Kim) Dorris, Amy (Matt) Reagan, Jimmy (Donna) Torr, Casey (Anne) Torr, Michelle Casey; ten great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.

Graduate of North High School. Participated in all sports. All City in Baseball and basketball. Played 5 years of professional baseball in the Boston Braves farm system. Played two years of professional basketball for the Nashville Vols in the Southern League. Worked one year for Dupont. Officiated high school and college basketball for over 23 years. 1951 employed by Nashville Police Department. He rose through the ranks and was Chief of Police 1973-1989. Charter member and lifetime member of 100 club. Helped start Crime Stoppers. Started MNPD Christmas basket program for needy. Instrumental in starting Police Advocacy Support Services (PASS). Assigned first female officers to patrol and motorcycle traffic squad. Promoted first African American to rank of Assistant Chief. Enacted the process of getting the MNPD accredited. He used modern technology and hands on skills to elevate the MNPD to one of the best in the 20th Century. Served 7 years as President of the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police. As President, was instrumental in getting several laws passed to enhance law enforcement in the state of Tennessee, including mandatory training for all law enforcement officers and the Post Commission and supplemental pay for in service training. Lifetime member of Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police. TACP honored him by naming two awards for him. In 1987, elected president of International Association of Chiefs of Police. Lifetime member of IACP. He loved all sports. Officiated Russian girls vs. Nashville Business College and the first black-white basketball game in TN high school sports. Coached Nashville police department Babe Ruth Team. A charter member of Babe Ruth League in Nashville. In 1959, coached Babe Ruth All Star team to compete for national title. Avid golfer with 4 holes in one. Inducted into 5 Halls of Fame. Incredible ice cream and chocolate fudge maker. On October 2, 2012, Metro Council passed Resolution naming the new West Police Precinct the Chief Joe D. Casey Building. Dedication was May 16, 2013. September 1,1989 he was employed by Tennessee Wholesale Drug Company as Director of Personnel and Security. Promoted to Vice President in 1990. Chief Joe wore many hats and he tried hard to wear them to the best of his ability. He loved his family, friends, co-workers, city of Nashville, TACP, IACP, his church his Encouragers Sunday School class and most of all his Lord Jesus Christ. He wants to thank the people of Nashville and members of the MNPD for their help and support fighting crime. He said, "With your help, we made a difference." His belief was to treat everyone as you would want them to treat you if your roles were reversed. As a born again Christian, he has joined his wife, Jewell, along with other family members and friends in Heaven with his Heavenly Father.

Pallbearers: Brent Dorris, Jimmy Torr, Casey Torr, Tim Casey, Bill Noe, George Womack, Mark Anderton, Kevin Anderton

Honorary Pallbearers: Members and retirees of MNPD, TACP, IACP, 100 Club Board members, Old Timers Baseball Association Board of Directors, Boy Scouts Middle TN Council, Metro Council members active and retired, other Metro Officials and Judges, members of Encouragers Sunday School class, members of Police Babe Ruth baseball teams, Haymes Snedeker, Brandt Snedeker, Howard Runyon.

Visitation will be at Phillips-Robinson Funeral Home Thursday, August 11th from 12-2pm and 4-8pm, and Friday, August 12th from 4-8pm. Funeral services will be conducted at Parkway Baptist Church, 505 Cunniff Parkway, Goodlettsville, TN 37072, Saturday, August 13th at 12noon with visitation 2 hours prior. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

Those desiring may make memorials to Parkway Baptist Church, RSD Foundation, MNPD Christmas Basket Program, Special Olympics

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, caregivers and Alive Hospice for their care and compassion. Phillips-Robinson Funeral Home, 2707 Gallatin Pk. 615-262-3312.


Published by Phillips-Robinson Funeral Home - Nashville Chapel from Aug. 2 to Aug. 8, 2022.

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

New updates, identifications, corrections, May 2022

Taking some time and looking back to fill in some holes or close some things out.

DETAILS ADDED:

Bill Arnett, PBLA - Added middle name, place of death

Jude Baesman, ABL - Exact death date added

Jim Baker, ABL - Exact death date added

Tom Berry, ABL - Added birthplace and exact date of death

Whitey Bernot, ABL - Corrected birth date, date of death, added birthplace, place of death

Jack Curtin, ABL - Added month and date of death, place of death

Teddy Feldt, ABL - Year of death 1984, not 1982

Eddie Fredericks, ABL - Birth and death dates added

Freddie Gerken, ABL - Exact death date added

George Goldsmith, ABL - Exact birthdate and place of birth added

Jimmy Gordon, ABL - Added birthdate, death according to SSDI occured in March 1966

Carl Hartelius, ABL - Corrected birth date, confirmed exact date of death

Bill Johnson, ABL (1925-26) - Middle name, exact date of death added

Mooney Levine, ABL - Exact death date added

Mickey McNiff, ABL - Exact death date added

Trixie Messenger, ABL - Added date of death

Sam Moorehead, ABL - Exact death date added

Frank Stuchbury, ABL - Exact death date added

Hank Thomas, ABL - Added date and location of death

PROPERLY IDENTIFIED:

Percy Jenkins, ABL

Ed Kantor, ABL

Bill McCleary, ABL

CORRECTED:


NEW LEADS UNRESOLVED:

Thursday, April 28, 2022

New updates, identifications, corrections, April 2022

Taking some time and looking back to fill in some holes or close some things out.

DETAILS ADDED:

Sam Askowitz, MBC - death date added, alternate identity added

Tommy Birch, ABL - Corrected death date, added location

Duke Cumberland, NBL - Added birth date, corrected birthplace

Harry Foley, ABL - death date confirmed

Frank Garcia, NBL - birth date and location added

Howie McCarty, NBL, BAA - Birthdate and birthplace confirmed,long-believed year of death was 27 years off. 

Jimmy Nolan, ABL - Birthdate, birthplace added, birthname corrected

Mike O'Neill, NBA - died 1993

Maybury Schweizer, MBC - birthdate added

Gordy Sykes, PCBL - death date confirmed

Harry Thom, MBC - birthdate added

Connie Toomb, ABL, NYSL - Exact death date and location added

PROPERLY IDENTIFIED:

Dick Anderson, PCBL

Bill Anton, PCBL

Julian Ardziejewski, MBC (formerly listed as Artie Artejuski)

Tom Baer, ABL

Wally Beck, PCBL

Ron Bowen, PCBL

Jack Brophy, ABL

Jimmy Carr, NYSL

Pete Farina, NYSL

Dave Fox, ABL, EBL 

Jack Gebbie, MBC

Ed Golub, ABL, NYSL, EBL-Ct

Bill Griffin, NYSL

Jimmy Griffin, ABL

Dave Howard, PCBL

Ole Johnson, PCBL

Jerry Lewis, SPBL

Frank Martello, ABL EBL NYSL

Tony Orlando, ABL, NYSL

Harry Parrish, PCBL

Bill Pennebaker, SPBL

Jack Riggin, PCBL

Bill Ryan, NYSL

Red Skurnick, ABL

Don Sorenson, PCBL

Chuck Stewart, ABL

Jack Vaughn, PBLA

Bob Warren, PCBL

Jimmy White, ABL, EBL-Ct, NYSL

ADDED:

Baker, PCBL

Jack Baker, PCBL

John Kaminsky, PCBL

Frank Shone, PCBL

Bob Smith, PCBL

Ted Thompson, PCBL

Hank Vallee, PCBL

Curley Weeks, PCBL

CORRECTED:

Morrie Helser was on the Spokane Orphans of the PCBL, not his brother Roy Helser as previously listed.

Ducky Moore was previously identified as an imposter who claimed to be the Globetrotter star. 

Al Wark does not exist and did not play for Tacoma Mountaineers. Removed from PCBL and page deleted..

Leo Kane, who played in the New England League after World War 2, was NOT on the 1946-47 Albany Senators. That was Robert Richard (Bob) Kane of Brooklyn, who played at Eastern District HS '37 and attended LIU prior to WW2.

Player listed simply as Ryan for Troy in the NYSL in 1946-47 was determined to be the same Ryan who played earlier that season for Albany. He was also identified as William James Ryan.

Removed the following players from the roster of the 1947-48 Portland Indians (PCBL) - They appear in no league box scores with the club: Jack Butterworth, Don Durdan, Mike Hafenecker, Ken Hays, Ted Sarpola

NEW LEADS UNRESOLVED:

Bill Anderson, PBLA - from Trenton, NJ

Harry Johnson, PBLA - from Long Island / Queens. Andrew Jackson HS, maybe St John's Prep,  too

Gene Stump, NBA/BAA - various address sites list him as "deceased" but no obituary can be found

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Milestone #5.1 - Pacific Coast Basketball League Updated

Five years since I first looked at the Pacific Coast League, I returned to go over the league better, finding as many box-scores as I could (only missing 11 over the two season of existence). This is, as far as I know, the most in depth research done on this league.  This time around, I found more players that were previously registered, removed a few who did not exist, and identified a handful whose previously were a mystery.

So the NEW numbers on the PCBL (and you can go back to the original postings in June 2017 which have been updated with new information where applicable) are as follows:

Number of PCBL players:  125 (originally was 118 after 2017 research)
Unidentified/unknown whereabouts: 7 (down from 21 after 2017 research)
Surviving PCBL players: 0  (Ty Lovelace was the last surviving player and he passed away last month)

Longevity:
Of the 125 players, 19 players (15.20%) lived to see the age of 90. Three men (2.40%) died before the age of 50.


Baker

Baker


Born:



Died:




Career
1948-47 Astoria Chinooks (PCBL)

Played one game for Astoria, scoring one point for Astoria against Bellingham on December 17, 1947. He is not Norm Baker or Jack Baker, who both also played in the PCBL this season.

Source:

Jack Baker

Jack Baker

Born:
August 31, 1923
Arlington, WA

Died:
November 14, 1994
Bellingham, WA


Career
1938-39 Bellingham High School - Washington (High School)
1939-40 Bellingham High School - Washington (High School)
1940-41 Bellingham High School - Washington (High School)
1941-42 Fircrest Dairy- Bellingham, WA (Independent)
1947-48 Bellingham Fircrests (PCBL)

Born to Cecil and Grace Baker, Jack was a basketball and ran track at Bellingham High School. He attended Western Washington College before enlisting in the U.S Navy to serve the country in World War 2. After serving in the South Pacific, he returned home where he would play basketball for the Bellingham Fircrests in 1947-48. He would become a fireman in Bellingham, and after 19 years became Fire Chief, a job he held for 12 years until retiring in 1978. He died in 1994.

Jack married Irene Chetwood in 1947 and they had two sons and a daughter. 


Source:
Bellingham Herald, November 14, 1994

Ted Thompson

Theodore Dewitt Thompson, Jr.


Born:
April 26, 1920
Anaconda, MT

Died:
January 3, 1993
Portland, OR


Career
1937-38 Lewis & Clark HS - Spokane, WA (High School)
1939-40 University of Idaho (College) - Freshmen
1940-41 University of Idaho (College)
1941-42 University of Idaho (College)
1947-48 Bellingham Fircrests (PCBL)

Standing 6' and 170 pounds, Thompson starred for the Idaho Vandals before enlisting in the army for World War 2. After the war, he signed to play with the Bellingham Fircrests of the Pacific League, but was released on New Years Eve, 1947, after appearing in three games and scoring six points.

Source:

Hank Vallee

Henry William Vallee
born Henry William Valentin

Born:
April 24, 1917
San Anselmo, CA

Died:
October 8, 1994
Cle Elum, WA


Career
1943-44 Camp McQuiade (Military)
1944-45 Camp Ross (Military)
1946-47 Navy Site Sailors - Tacoma, WA (Independent)
1947-48 Tacoma Mountaineers (PCBL)

Born to Henry and Minini Valentin, Vallee served in the U.S. Army during World War two and played minor league baseball for a few years, including a couple years with the Tacoma Tigers which is what brought him to playing basketball with the Mountaineers in December of 1947. He would go on to work in structural steel and involved in many construction projects in the Pacific Northwest.

Monday, April 11, 2022

Bob Smith (Robert Cecil Smith)

Robert Cecil Smith


Born:
November 27, 1917
Burns, OR

Died:
October 4, 1977
King, WA


Career
1946-47 Yamika Ramblers (PCBL)


His brother, Tom, also played briefly with Yakima Ramblers in the 1946-47 season, but they were not on the team at the same time.


Source:

Frank Shone

Frank Estel Shone

Born:
June 10, 1917
Granite City, IL

Died:
December 2, 1949
Albuquerque, NM


Career
1946-47 Salem Trailblazers (PCBL) General Manager / player

Frank Shone was born in Granite City, Illinois, and was a baseball player with eyes on the major leagues. He was signed in 1939 by Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics and was assigned to the Johnstown club in the Class-D Pennsylvania State League. He moved on to the Cincinnati farm system on 1940, playing for Reds' Lenoir , Ogden and Columbia affiliates. 1943 found him out west, signing on with the Portland Beavers of the PCL. A quick baserunner and decent hitting outfielder, Shone stuck with the Beavers for 4 seasons, hitting .304 in 1945 with 39 stolen bases. At this time, the PCL's caliber of play was so great that they petitioned to be recognized as a third major league, but were denied and classified as AAA, or the highest ranking of a minor league. In his four years in Portland, Shone had become quite popular in the town and surrounding areas, and in the fall of 1946 was offered the job of being the general manager for the Salem Trailblazers basketball team, giving him a job during baseball's off-season. The Salem club quickly ran into attendance problems, and therefore financial problems. He found himself pressed into duty in two games by head coach Len Yandle, scoring no points in his brief appearance on the floor. On January 28, 1947, Shone was optioned to Beaumont (Texas) in the New York Giants farm system, getting him even closer to major league baseball. Not long after leaving the Trailblazers, the basketball team merged with Spokane and eventually failed to finish the 1946-47 season.
When Salem merged with Spokane in February of 1947, Shone found himself out of basketball. Looking forward to baseball season, Shone batted only .243 at Beaumont and was let go by the Giants. He wound up signing with the Albuquerque Dukes in 1948, and played sparingly in 1948 and 1949. In December of 1949, a few months after the close of the Dukes season, Shone was killed in a one-car accident just outside of Albuquerque. He was 32 years old.

Morrie Helser

Morris Rodney Helser


Born:
July 17, 1913
Portland, OR

Died:
November 9, 1996
Tigard, OR


Career
1931-32 Benson High School - Portland, Oregon (High School)
1932-33 Benson High School - Portland, Oregon (High School)
Linfield College - McMinnville, Oregon (College)
1936-37 Portland Packards - Portland, Oregon (Independent)
1937-38 Portland Packards - Portland, Oregon (Independent)
1939-40 Portland Packards - Portland, Oregon (Independent)
1943-44 Albina's Hellships - Portland, Oregon (AAU)
1946-47 Spokane Orphans (PCBL)

Six-foot Helser was a regular in basketball circles around Portland. He briefly played for the Spokane Orphans in the PCBL.



Source:
Spokane Spokesman, Dec 18, 1946

Curley Weeks

Curley Weeks


Born:



Died:



Career
1946-47 Salem Trailblazers (PCBL) 
1946-47 Spokane Orphans (PCBL)

from portland. there is a Nolan "Curly" Weeks mention in a article on hunting, but it doesn't appear Nolan was near Portland at the time




Source:

John Kaminsky

John Eugene Kaminsky


Born:
February 14, 1921
Vegrerville, Alberta, Canada

Died:
June 16, 1984
Vancouver, WA


Career
1941-42 Mt. Angel College - St. Benedict, OR (College)
1946-47 Salem Trailblazers (PCBL) Head coach / player
1949-50 Lacey Merchants - Olympia, WA (Independent)

Canadian-born John Kaminsky was a scoring ace at Mt. Angel College back when it was a college. (After the 1946-47 school year, the college reverted to being solely a monastery for Benedictine monks.) Kaminsky appeared in one game for the Salem Trailblazers of the Pacific Coast League, scoring no points in limited action against Yakima on January 11, 1947.


Source:

Monday, March 21, 2022

1950-51 Two Rivers Seals (WSBL)

1950-51 TWO RIVERS SEALS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 2-8, .200, 6th place
2nd Half: 2-8, .200, 6th place

Two Rivers never could get it going, finishing in last place with a 2-8 record in each half.

Head Coach:
  • Hilary LeClair (December 18, 1918 - September 22, 2003)
PLAYERS:
  • Dean Cameron (June 4, 1931 - July 3, 1989)
    Dick Wilsman

  • Carl Domenoski (October 29, 1930 - August 9, 2018)
  • Charlie Erban (October 20, 1926 - May 15, 1995)
  • Vic Gauthier (February 4, 1922 - January 13, 2001)
  • Art Klabunde (April 1, 1926 - October 19, 2003)
  • Carl Kuehl (b. March 14, 1927)
  • Hilary LeClair (December 18, 1918 - September 22, 2003)
  • Rube LeClair (September 7, 1923 - January 18, 2009)
  • Ernie Lupie (August 19, 1917 - March 23, 1995)
  • Dick Wilsman (June 9, 1929 - May 8, 2016)
  • Chet Wisniewski (January 31, 1927 - March 24, 2003)
  • Ken Wondrash (December 11, 1921 - February 14, 1981)

Carl Domenoski


1950-51 New Holstein Athletics (WSBL)

1950-51 NEW HOLSTEIN ATHLETICS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 8-2, .800, 1st place
2nd Half: 6-4, .600, 3rd place
Championship: Lost to Fond du Lac, 2-0

New Holstein rolled to the first half title, aided by the addition of professional players like Ed Dancker, Bobby Holm and Dick Schulz. They cooled off in the second half, finishing third before getting swept by Fond du Lac for the WSBL Championship.

Head Coach:
  • Norm Peterson (September 15, 1912 - July 11, 1986)

PLAYERS:
  • Ed Dancker (March 14, 1914 - October 3, 1991)
  • Ray Heim (June 23, 1926 - November 4, 2011)
  • Bob Holm (January 22, 1919 - April 14, 2002)
  • Casey Koniezcka (December 22, 1919 - June 11, 2007)
  • Rube Lautenschlager (September 7, 1915 - January 5, 1992) 
  • Larry Luft (February 24, 1928 - December 3, 1987)
  • Doug Rogers (December 22, 1927 - September 6, 2007)
  • Ken Ruh (b. May 28, 1932)
  • Charlie Ryan (August 16, 1923 - January 20, 2005
  • Dick Schroeder (December 30, 1928 - January 1, 2023)
  • Hank Schuette (July 5, 1927 - April 10, 2008)
  • Dick Schulz (January 3, 1917 - June 26, 1998)

1950-51 Neenah-Menasha Jaycees (WSBL)

1950-51 NEENAH-MENASHA JAYCEES

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 4-6, .400, T-4th Place
2nd Half: 4-6, .400, 4th place

No longer sponsored by the local police squad, Neenah split their home with Menasha. Vern Wollerman stepped down as head coach on the eve of the start of the season. They never really contended and finished in fourth place in both halves.
Ralph McClone


Head Coach:
  • Chuck Shepard (January 19, 1924 - October 21, 2011) Also played. See below.
PLAYERS:
  • Bob Kloss (November 13, 1921 - October 21, 1988)
  • Fritz Lautenschlager (September 7, 1915 - January 5, 1992)
  • Ralph McClone (December 23, 1925 - May 31, 2008)
  • Claude Peotter (October 14, 1924 - July 15, 2002)
  • Joe Rahn (June 28, 1922 - January 2, 2012)
  • Chuck Shepard (January 19, 1924 - October 21, 2011)
  • Carlton Springer (July 4, 1930 - March 25, 2020)
  • Don Sudkamp (March 10, 1926 - August 6, 2019)
    Joe Rahn
  • Chris Van Cuyk (January 3, 1927 - November 3, 1992)
  • Bob Williams (October 1, 1926 - February 24, 2012)
    Bob Kloss




Friday, March 18, 2022

1950-51 Manitowoc Braves (WSBL)

1950-51 MANITOWOC BRAVES

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 5-5, .500, 5th place
2nd Half: 3-7, .300, 6th place

Bob Sullivan took over as head coach for Manitowoc this year, all the while averaging 17.1 points per game. The Braves were never really a factor, enduring long cold stretches throughout the season.

Head Coach:
  • Bob Sullivan (July 1, 1921 - April 12, 2007) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:
Bob Wessenberg
  • Joe Chavez (June 22, 1922 - October 4, 2014)
  • Stan Check (February 2, 1933 - December 17, 2013)
  • Bill Ciske (b. May 23, 1928)
  • Art Edinger (April 3, 1924 - January 22, 2001)
  • Dick John (October 21, 1919 - September 9, 1983)
  • Stan Kramer (June 3, 1921 - June 23, 1997)
  • Ed Mills (February 23, 1922 - September 27, 2002)
  • Fred Rehm (May 18, 1921 - December 28, 2012)
  • Bob Sullivan (July 1, 1921 - April 12, 2007)
  • Bob Wessenberg (February 25, 1928 - December 13, 1999)


1950-51 Green Bay Majors (WSBL)

Jim Carter
 1950-51 GREEN BAY MAJORS 

(also referred to as the GeeBees)

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 4-6 .400, T-4th place
2nd Half: 7-3, .700, 2nd place


Coached by Art Schroeder who coached New Holstein a couple seasons ago, Green Bay finally put a team together after failing to do so the previous year. Despite some decent players (Ronnie Blomberg, Wimpy Cartier, Joe Meeuwsen and Mel Peterson), Green Bay got off to a poor start, winning only 2 or their first eight games. When they added Jim Carter in late December, the team's fortune changed, winning the last two games of the half and the first two of the second half. They would win 5 of their last six but fell short of first place, missing out on the championship series.
Mel Peterson

Head Coach:
  • Art Schroeder (December 1, 1909 - May 23, 1995) 
PLAYERS:
  • Ron Blomberg (December 17, 1927 - December 7, 2015)
  • Jim Carter (July 29, 1928 - September 14, 2017)
  • Wimpy Cartier (December 9, 1924 - April 23, 2006)
  • Frannie Dashner (b. August 2, 1931)
  • Jug Girard (January 25, 1927 - January 17, 1997)
  • Harvey Jackson (b. November 17, 1928)
  • Patrick Maloney (January 19, 1924 - February 14, 1987)
  • Gene Mathews (November 1, 1925 - November 21, 2004)
  • Joe Meeuwsen (August 29, 1926 - May 15, 2012)
    Wimpy Cartier

  • Mel Peterson (August 30, 1926 - August 13, 2012)
  • Jim Pressentin (November 3, 1927 - May 1, 2000)
  • Herman Reckelberg (October 24, 1927 - July 19, 2019)
  • Billy Reed (November 12, 1922 - December 5, 2005)
  • Joe Schradle (December 27, 1928 - April 10, 1989)
  • Carl Steffin (August 6, 1918 - August 23, 2014)
  • Hal Wenzel (August 8, 1928 - March 25, 2016)
  • Jack Woulf (October 13, 1926 - October 5, 1996)

Gene Mathews

Frannie Dashner
Carl Steffin





Thursday, March 17, 2022

1950-51 Fond du Lac Rockets (WSBL)

 1950-51 FOND du LAC ROCKETS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 7-3, .700, 2nd place
2nd Half: 8-2, .800, 1st place
WSBL Championship: Defeated New Holstein, 2-0

With a new coach in Joe Jaeger, Fond du Lac got off to a mediocre 4-3 start before winning the last three games of the first half to finish in second place behind New Holstein.  They continued winning in the second half, claiming victory in the first six contest to stretch their streak to 9 straight wins.  They would win the second half with an 8-2 record, and swept New Holstein in the best-of-three championship series to be the last champion of the WSBL.

Head Coach:
  • Joe Jaeger (September 23, 1919 - January 27, 1974)
PLAYERS:
Bruce Fossum

  • Ken Buehler (November 19, 1919 - April 18, 2019)
  • John Erickson (June 19, 1927 - March 18, 2020)
  • Bruce Fossum (January 16, 1928 - March 12, 2014)
  • Jim Johnson (March 12, 1929 - August 21, 2004)
  • Bob Krueger (September 8, 1922 - March 8, 2005)
  • Ambrose McTrusty (August 29, 1927 - January 22, 2019)
  • Exner Menzel (September 9, 1922 - October 10, 2016)
  • John Orr (June 10, 1927 - December 30, 2013)
  • Ray Patterson (January 15, 1922 - August 3, 2011)
  • Jed Rashid (January 11, 1930 - September 25, 2006)
  • Doug Richie (April 24, 1926 - January 2, 2015)
  • Francis Stahr (December 30, 1926 - December 5, 1995)
  • Kermit Weiske (May 18, 1929 - March 17, 2016)

1950-51 WSBL

More shuffling in for the Wisconsin State Basketball League heading into its fourth season. Oshkosh and Kimberly disbanded, but after a year where they failed to get a team together, Green Bay joined the fold. Neenah reformed, splitting between Neenah and Menasha. Down to 6 teams, they would still utilize the two-half format, but now just 10 games per half, playing each time twice. 

Although this would be the final year of the league, it went fairly smoothly. New Holstein won the first half by a single game, and Fond du Lac took the second half, with Fondy winning the championship series.

Teams
Fond du Lac Rockets
Green Bay Majors 
Manitowoc Braves
Neenah Bluejackets 
New Holstein Athletics
Two Rivers Seals

1949-50 Two Rivers Seals (WSBL)

 1949-50 TWO RIVERS SEALS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 8-3, .727, 2nd place
Harold Krizizke
2nd Half: 7-4, .636, 3rd place

Two Rivers, under a new sponsor and name, put together a solid team and performed well in both halves, but could not catch the front-runner.

Head Coach:



PLAYERS:

  • Del Burke (September 1, 1927 - December 29, 1980)
  • Dana
  • Ken Wondrash
    Ed Fessler (November 30, 1921 - August 31, 2000)
  • Vic Gauthier (February 4, 1922 - January 13, 2001)
  • Ken Kirchman (March 10, 1930 - May 28, 2023)
  • Art Klabunde (April 1, 1926 - October 19, 2003)
  • Harold Krizizke (March 20, 1925 - April 19, 2018)
  • Carl Kuehl (b. March 14, 1927)
  • Jerry LeClair (July 13, 1929 - February 19, 2016)
  • Rube LeClair (September 7, 1923 - January 18, 2009)
  • Ernie Lupie (August 19, 1917 - March 23, 1995)
  • Russ Smikle (b. December 13, 1926)
  • George Stangel (May 28, 1924 - March 28, 2009)
  • Ken Wondrash (December 11, 1921 - February 14, 1981)
  • Chet Wisniewski (January 31, 1927 - March 24, 2003)


Russ Smikle


Wednesday, March 16, 2022

1949-50 Oshkosh All-Stars (WSBL)

1949-50 OSHKOSH ALL-STARS 

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 9-3, .750, 2nd place
2nd Half: 6-6, .500, 3rd place


When the BAA merged with the NBL to form the NBA in the summer of 1949, the Oshkosh All-Stars, who had just lost the NBL championship series, were left out. The NBA leadership cited the size of Oshkosh's population as well as its home facility as the main reason, although the team ownership considered a move to Milwaukee to pacify the NBA. They were denied entry and joined the Wisconsin State League. Given their pedigree of playing in the much-more talented NBL for years, were expected to runaway with the title. A few players (Gene Berce, Leroy Edwards) had stuck around from the previous year with solid professional experience, while other local players filled in the rest of the roster. Under a new coach, David Leibsenson, who was a star player in the area in the 30's and 40's, Oshkosh had an impressive 9-3 record in the first half, but fell short of first place. They struggled in the second have and finished a distant third. The club disbanded after the season, ending the legacy of the Oshkosh AllStars. One of the more successful teams in the NBL, they had made it to the NBL championship in the first 5 season of the NBL's existence, winning the title in 1940-41 and 1941-42. 

There had been belief over the years the had Oshkosh been allowed to remain as an NBA team, they could have continued to compete in the league. Wisconsin as a state is very supportive of their local teams, drawing from all around, as the Green Bay Packer's success would show over the years.

Head Coach:
  •  Dave Leibenson (December 25, 1910 - February 23, 1981

PLAYERS:
  • Gene Berce (November 22, 1926 - November 17, 2018)
  • Ken Buehler (November 19, 1919 - April 18, 2019)
  • Paul Cloyd (June 13, 1920 - December 26, 2005)
  • Leroy Edwards (April 11, 1914 - August 25, 1971)
  • Gene Englund (October 21, 1917 - November 5, 1995)
  • Charlie Erban (October 20, 1926 - May 15, 1995)
  • Eddie Erban (July 6, 1921 - May 17, 2008)
  • Jug Girard (January 25, 1927 - January 17, 1997)
  • Gil Hertz (May 23, 1922 - December 25, 1999)
  • Bill McDonald (November 5, 1916 - February 7, 1994)
  • Bob Mulvihill (March 9, 1924 - May 17, 2016)
  • Joe Rahn (June 28, 1922 - January 2, 2012)
  • Billy Reed (November 12, 1922 - December 5, 2005)
  • Spencer Van Ess (April 30, 1924 - September 16, 1982)
  • Don Weaver (September 2, 1926 - June 9, 1996)

Uncertain the Hertz and Girard appeared in a game. They were signed, but haven't seen them appears in a league box score. The only league game I do not have boxscores for is the December 28, 1949 game at New Holstein. I will keep them on the roster until this last game is located.

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

1949-50 New Holstein Athletics (WSBL)

1949-50 NEW HOLSTEIN ATHLETICS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 6-6, .500, T-3rd place
2nd Half: 9-3, .750, 2nd place

New Holstein started the season with a 4-6 record before adding Glen Selbo. Selbo, who would average 16 points the rest of the year, was a jumpstart to the lineup. They won last last two games of the first half and 9 of 12 in the second half, giving them an 11-3 with Selbo. They fell short of catching the powerful Fond du Lac club, missing out on a possible championship series.

Head Coach:

Kurt Weber


PLAYERS:
  • Ken Buehler  November 19, 1919 - April 18, 2019)
  • Ray Heim (June 23, 1926 - November 4, 2011)
  • Kenny Kurtz (December 15, 1928 - June 28, 1999)
  • Larry Luft (February 24, 1928 - December 3, 1987)
  • John Meier (November 24, 1923 - March 4, 2006)
  • Benny Nord (November 30, 1927 - October 5, 1991)
  • Charlie Ryan (August 16, 1923 - January 20, 2005
  • Hank Schuette (July 5, 1927 - April 10, 2008)
  • Dick Schroeder (December 30, 1928 - January 1, 2023)
  • Glen Selbo (March 29, 1926 - May 29, 1995)
  • Ed Shimon (April 17, 1923 - October 22, 2007)
  • Stephany
  • Bob Vander Putten (November 1, 1924 - December 9, 1996)
  • Kurt Weber (January 9, 1929 - November 6, 1996)

1949-50 Neenah Bluejackets (WSBL)

1949-50 NEENAH BLUEJACKETS

Vern Wollerman

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 6-6, .500, T-3rd Place
2nd Half: 5-7, .417, T-4th place


With a largely revamped roster, the Bluejackets failed to repeat their success from the prior season, falling short of a winning record in either half. Chuck Shepard lead the team with 14 points per game. Following the last game of the season, the Bluejackets announced they were leaving the league.

On February 23, 1950, Neenah didn't have enough players and pulled a couple local players in attendance, Jerry Schmidt and Tom Rosenow, to suit up.
Bob Brandt

Head Coach:
  • Vern Wollerman (March 14, 1926 - January 24, 1992)
PLAYERS:
  • Bob Brandt (May 22, 1930 - July 31, 2015)
  • Bill Ciske (b. May 23, 1928)
  • Bob Kloss (November 13, 1921 - October 21, 1988)
  • Bob Koser (November 21, 1926 - January 2, 2012)
  • Pat McCullough (April 13, 1926 - July 14, 2019)
  • Matt Otte (September 8, 1925 - April 25, 2012)
  • Claude Peotter (October 14, 1924 - July 15, 2002)
  • Jerry Schmidt
    Rube Prunuske (June 21, 1921 - May 26, 1996)
  • Tom Rosenow (b. January 7, 1928)
  • Jerry Schmidt (July 30, 1931 - November 29, 1987)
  • Chuck Shepard (January 19, 1924 - October 21, 2011)
  • Carlton Springer (July 4, 1930 - March 25, 2020)
  • Jim Stern  (December 14, 1931 - February 25, 1996)
  • Bob Wessenberg (February 25, 1928 - December 13, 1999)
  • Jim Young (May 19, 1926 - June 7, 1996)



Jim Stern

Tom Rosenow


Friday, March 11, 2022

1949-50 Manitowoc Braves (WSBL)

1949-50 MANITOWOC BRAVES

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 4-8, .333, 5th place
2nd Half: 4-8, .333, 6th place

The defending champions fell out of contention quick with a 1-4 start. They would finish both halves with an identical 4-8 record and no where near repeating the WSBL championship.  
Fred Biesecker

Head Coach:
  • Adolph Gorychka (April 8, 1911 - October 6, 2004) Also played. See below


PLAYERS:
  • Fred Biesecker (October 3, 1923 - February 1, 2010)
  • Ron Blomberg (December 17, 1927 - December 7, 2015)
  • Joe Chavez (June 22, 1922 - October 4, 2014)
  • Art Edinger (April 3, 1924 - January 22, 2001)
  • Buck Edinger (February 26, 1930 - January 31, 2016)
  • Adolph Gorychka (April 8, 1911 - October 6, 2004)
  • Hal Haberman (December 28, 1927 - November 6, 2009)
  • Dick John (October 21, 1919 - September 9, 1983)
  • Stan Kramer (June 3, 1921 - June 23, 1997)
  • Herman Reckelberg (October 24, 1927 - July 19, 2019)
  • Dewey Rogala (January 21, 1922 - September 17, 2013)
  • Bob Sullivan (July 1, 1921 - April 12, 2007)
  • Gordy Wotruba (November 19, 1928 - April 6, 1999)
  • Jim Young  (May 19, 1926 - June 7, 1996)


1949-50 Kimberly Papermakers (WSBL)

 1949-50 KIMBERLY PAPERMAKERS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 2-10, .167, 7th place
2nd Half: 2-10, .167, 7th place

Kimberly never could get anything going, finishing a dismal 2-10 and mired in last place in both halves of the season. The March 18 game against Oshkosh was a reported victory for Kimberly as a forfeit, but he official standings at the end of the year seemed to indicate Oshkosh got the win. I will stick with a Kimberly victory in the game for now until I can find evidence of it being reversed.


Dick Fieweger

Head Coach:


PLAYERS:
  • Adams
  • John Bartmann (July 26, 1923 0 April 18, 2004)
  • Alan Dietzler (b. October 6, 1928)
  • Dick Fieweger (December 15, 1930 - October 31, 2009)
  • Bill Goffard (June 13, 1929 - May 20, 2013)
  • Elwood Harke (June 18, 1929 - April 15, 1999)
    John Bartmann
  • Cliff Hinkens (January 2, 1931 - October 17, 2020)
  • Pete Valentyne (March 30, 1930 - August 19, 2019)
  • Frank Van Boeckel (May 1, 1929 - April 28, 1995)
  • Carl Vanden Boom (June 29, 1929 - February 8, 2005)
  • Wilfred Vandenberg (March 14, 1931 - November 20, 1992)
  • Don Vander Zenden (November 6, 1930 - September 9, 1980)
  • Francis Vander Velden (January 27, 1922 - February 6, 2008)
  • Driek Van Dyke (November 13, 1920 - March 29, 2011)
  • Nig Van Dyke (June 6, 1922 - September 3, 1990)
  • Bob Wahlers (March 31, 1932 - June 27, 2009)



Cliff Hinkens