Ray Dickerson

Ray Cletus Dickerson


Born:
June 15, 1908
Keota, OK

Died:
April 9, 1993



Career
NE Oklahoma / Tahlequah (College) ??
1928-29 Olson's Terrible Swedes (Indepedent)
1929-30 Cleveland Rosenblums (ABL)
1929-30 Olson's Terrible Swedes (Indepedent)
1930-31 Olson's Terrible Swedes (Indepedent)
1932-33 Akron Firestone (NPBL)
1933-34 Ritz Pennsylvanians (Independent)
1934-35 Akron Firestone (Independent)
1935-36 Akron Firestone (Independent)
1936-37 Akron Firestone (MBC)

Dickerson grew up in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Ray was married to Vera Salome

Source:



Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/ray-dickerson/

Shang Chadwick

Maurice Wilson "Shang" Chadwick


Born:
June 9, 1901
New Richmond, IN

Died:
October 3, 1973
Millersberg, OH


Career
1919-20 Crawfordsville High School - Indiana (High School)
1922-23 Wabash College - Indiana (College)
1923-24 Wabash College - Indiana (College)
1924-25 Wabash College - Indiana (College)
1925-26 New York Original Celtics (Independent)
1925-26 Fort Wayne Caseys (ABL)
1926-27 Fort Wayne Hoosiers (ABL)
1927-28 Fort Wayne Hoosiers (ABL)
1928-29 Fort Wayne Hoosiers (ABL)
1929-30 Fort Wayne Hoosiers (ABL)
1930-31 Fort Wayne Hoosiers (ABL)
1931-32 Toledo Red Men (Independent)
1932-33 Akron Firestones (NPBL)
1933-34 Akron Firestones (Independent)
1934-35 Akron Firestone (Independent)
1935-36 Akron Firestone (Independent)
1936-37 Akron Firestone (MBC)

Chadwick was a star player at Wabash College and played with Fort Wayne for six years. He took a job with Firestone in 1932 and also played on their basketball team through 1937 when he quit the game. He stayed employed at Firestone in 1946 when he co-founded his own companny, Rice-Chadwick Rubber Company, and retired in 1961.

He was married to Evelyn Bales (1908-1983) and they had one daughter.

Source:
Akron Beacon Journal October 9, 1973


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/shang-chadwick/
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/Shang-Chadwick/

1936-37 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (MBC)

1936-37 AKRON FIRESTONE NON-SKIDS
MIDWEST BASKETBALL CONFERENCE
Eastern Division
Finished: 13-5 .722, 2nd place

Semi-finals - Lost to Akron Goodyear, 2-0

• Head Coach: Paul Sheeks (October 18, 1889 – September 17, 1968) 

Known as "Pepper," Sheeks was an Akron-area athlete, playing for Akron in the NFL in 1922 and '23. He played college football and basketball at the University of South Dakota. 

PLAYERS: 

• Wes Bennett (March 31, 1913 - August 20, 2002)

Biography

• Bernie Berens (February 26, 1913 - May 29, 1979)

Biography

• Soup Cable (April 4, 1913-February 19, 1995)

Biography

• Shang Chadwick (June 9, 1901 - October 3, 1973)

Biography

• Ray Dickerson (June 15, 1908 - April 9, 1993)

Biography

• Ed Garner (March 27, 1911 - October 9, 1997)

Biography

• Ward Myers (April 19, 1908 - April 6, 1987)

Biography

• Bill Reeves (December 5, 1904-December 6, 1983)

Biography

• Jack Shaffer (August 13, 1909 - June 17, 1963)

Biography

• Milas Shoun (October 4, 1904 - October 10, 1983)

Biography

• Paul Tobin (November 23, 1909-September 6, 2003)

Biography

Thomas Joseph and Annie Elizabeth Tobin

Lefty Haas

Arthur S. "Lefty" Haas


Born:
March 15, 1906
Reading, PA

Died:
May 20, 1994
Brownstown, PA


Career
1925-26 Harrisburg Academy - Pennsylvania(High School)
1928-29 Gettysburg College - Pennsylvania (College)
1929-30 Gettysburg College - Pennsylvania (College)
1930-31 Gettysburg College - Pennsylvania (College)
1931-32 Reading Pretzels (Independent)
1931-32 Reading Car Shops (Independent)
1932-33 Womelsdorf Big Five - Harrisburg, PA (Independent)
1933-34 Womelsdorf Big Five - Harrisburg, PA (Independent)
1934-35 Akron Firestones (Independent)
1935-36 Akron Firestones (MBC)

Born to Frederick and Elizabeth Haas in Reading, Pennsylvania, Lefty atteneded Gettysburg College and played professional and semi-pro basketball around the eastern side of the state before joining up with the Akron Firestones. He was also a decent baseball player, pitching in the Mid Atlantic League with an 11-4 record in 1931. His 1935-36 basketball season was cut short due to appendicitis.

He married Gemaine Touzen (1908-1992) and moved to Connecticut in 1938, later returning to Pennsylvania where he died in 1994.


Minor League Baseball Stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=haas--001art

Source:
Harrisburg Telegraph, April 26, 1926
Reading Times, June 10, 1931
Reading Times, February 14, 1936

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/lefty-haas/

Jack Gebbie

John Henry Gebbie

Born:
January 14, 1912
Chicago, IL

Died:
April 30, 1979

Naperville, IL



Career
1929-30 Roosevelt High School - Chicago (High School)
Geneva College - Pennsylvania (College) ??
University of Chicago (College)
1934-35 Bankes Deans - Akron (Independent)
1934-35 Akron Firestones (Independent)
1935-36 Akron Firestones (MBC)


Allegedly played at Geneva College, but his name does not appear on the school's all-time lettermen roster. He is listed in Akron newspaper article as Jack and Bill Jack Gebbie. From Chicago, and attended University of Chicago.



Source:
Akron Beacon Journal, February 7, 1936


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/john-gebbie/

Ed Garner

James Edwin Garner


Born:
March 27, 1911
Grand Rapids, MI? Ohio?

Died:
October 9, 1997
Gering, NE


Career

1931-32 University of Michigan (College)
1932-33 University of Michigan (College)
1934-35 Akron Firestones (Independent)
1935-36 Akron Firestones (MBC)
1936-37 Akron Firestones (MBC)




Source:



Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/ed-garner/

Russ Estey

Russell George Estey


Born:
May 31, 1910
Ohio

Died:
June 17, 1988
Akron, OH


Career
1928-29 East High School - Akron, OH (High School)
1929-30 East High School - Akron, OH (High School)
1930-31 East High School - Akron, OH (High School)
1932-33 University of Akron (College)
1933-34 University of Akron (College)
1934-35 University of Akron (College)
1935-36 Akron Firestones (MBC)
1937-38 East High School - Akron, OH (High School) Head coach
1938-39 East High School - Akron, OH (High School) Head coach
1939-40 East High School - Akron, OH (High School) Head coach
1940-41 East High School - Akron, OH (High School) Head coach
1941-42 East High School - Akron, OH (High School) Head coach
1942-43 East High School - Akron, OH (High School) Head coach
1945-46 East High School - Akron, OH (High School) Head coach
1946-47 East High School - Akron, OH (High School) Head coach
1947-48 East High School - Akron, OH (High School) Head coach
1948-49 East High School - Akron, OH (High School) Head coach
1949-50 East High School - Akron, OH (High School) Head coach
1950-51 East High School - Akron, OH (High School) Head coach
1951-52 East High School - Akron, OH (High School) Head coach
1952-53 East High School - Akron, OH (High School) Head coach
1953-54 East High School - Akron, OH (High School) Head coach
1954-55 East High School - Akron, OH (High School) Head coach
1955-56 East High School - Akron, OH (High School) Head coach
1956-57 East High School - Akron, OH (High School) Head coach
1957-58 East High School - Akron, OH (High School) Head coach
1958-59 East High School - Akron, OH (High School) Head coach
1959-60 East High School - Akron, OH (High School) Head coach

Estey starred on the court at Akron before taking the head coach job at the high school he attended. He had to leave the post in 1943 to serve his country in World War 2, but returned to the helm after the war and stayed there until 1960 when he quit coaching (but stayed on as a teacher.)

Russ married Mary Miller in 1941.

Source:
Akron Beacon Journal, May 22, 1960

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/russ-estey/

Bill Brandy

William Sangster Brandy


Born:
July 23, 1909
Scotland

Died:
June 3, 1990



Career
North High School - Akron (High School)
1930-31 Heidelberg College - Ohio (College)
1931-32 Heidelberg College - Ohio (College)
1932-33 Akron Firestone (NPBL)
1933-34 Akron Firestone (Independent)
1934-35 Akron Firestone (Independent)
1935-36 Akron Firestone (MBC)

Born to William and Jessie Brandy in Maryland, Brandy was a great golfer and basketball player in high school and college. While working at Firestone, he played both sports on the company's teams. He died in 1990.

Source:
Akron Beacon Journal, June 15, 1990

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/bill-brandy/

1935-36 Akron Firestone (MBC)

1935-36 AKRON FIRESTONE
MIDWEST BASKETBALL CONFERENCE
Eastern Division
Finished: 11-7 .611, 1st place

Semi-finals - Lost to Chicago, 33-30

• Head Coach: Paul Sheeks (October 18, 1889 – September 17, 1968) 

Known as "Pepper," Sheeks was an Akron-area athlete, playing for Akron in the NFL in 1922 and '23. He played college football and basketball at the University of South Dakota. 

PLAYERS: 

• Bernie Berens (February 26, 1913 - May 29, 1979)

Biography

• Bill Brandy (July 23, 1909 - June 3, 1990)

Biography

• Soup Cable (April 4, 1913-February 19, 1995)

Biography

• Russ Estey (May 31, 1910 - June 17, 1988)

Biography

• Ed Garner (March 27, 1911 - October 9, 1997)

Biography

• Jack Gebbie (January 14, 1912 - April 30, 1979)

Biography

• Lefty Haas (March 15, 1906 - May 20, 1994)

Biography

• Bill Reeves (December 5, 1904-December 6, 1983)

Biography

• Jack Shaffer (August 13, 1909 - June 17, 1963)

Biography

• Milas Shoun (October 4, 1904 - October 10, 1983)

Biography

Jack Jennings

Jack Leroy Jennings


Born:
April 2, 1918
Walla Walla, WA 

Died:
February 8, 1982
Seattle, WA


Career
1937-38 Washington State University (College)
1938-39 Washington State University (College)
1939-40 Washington State University (College)
1940-41 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)
1945-46 Yakima High School - Washington (High School) - Asst. coach
1946-47 Yakima Ramblers (PCL)
1946-47 Yakima High School - Washington (High School) - Head coach
1947-48 Yakima High School - Washington (High School) - Head coach
1948-49 Yakima High School - Washington (High School) - Head coach
1949-50 Yakima High School - Washington (High School) - Head coach
1950-51 Yakima High School - Washington (High School) - Head coach
1951-52 Yakima High School - Washington (High School) - Head coach
1952-53 Yakima High School - Washington (High School) - Head coach
1953-54 Yakima High School - Washington (High School) - Head coach
1954-55 Yakima High School - Washington (High School) - Head coach

According to an article in the Eugene Register Guard from December 5, 1962, his son, Bill, was on the Oregon Ducks freshman basketball team, and Jack was living in Yakima.
https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19621205&id=Iv9VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1uIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3659,924020&hl=en

So from here, found an obscure article.

In a blurb in the Daily Chronicle, Centralia (WA) 5/22/73, I think it mentions the death of Jack's wife, Mary Lou Jennings (3/7/73 in Yakima). His father is named Frank (1889-1958), mother is Elsie (1890-1982), and lists two sons, William R Jennings of Albany, Oregon (which matches the Oregon Ducks player) and Scott E. Jennings (b. 1948) of Vancouver. Jack's brother, Bill, died in 1951 at 36 years of age.

Then buried on this genealogy page for the the Pettijohn family, I find the Jennings family, and fill in birthday and complete name. This Locate Ancestors link gives us his date of death. Hooray!

Jennings served in the army during World War 2. He was a long time head coach at Yakima High School. He may have coached beyond the 1954-55 season, I am not certain.

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VMSS-DPB



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/j/jennija01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=jennija01

Paul DuCharme

Paul Edmund DuCharme


Born:
August 27, 1917
St. Anne, IL 

Died:
October 12, 1985
Akron, OH


Career
Mt. Carmel - Chicago (High School)
1936-37 Notre Dame (College)
1937-38 Notre Dame (College)
1938-39 Notre Dame (College)
1940-41 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)

Born to Lawrence and Lucille DuCharme in Illinois, he headed to Akron to start a career at Firestone as a labor relations manager, playing basketball for a season as well. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War 2.
Paul married Katharine Graham in 1944, and remarried to Florence in 1950. He had two sons, Paul and Dennis, and two daughters, Diane Galbraith and Anne DuCharme.

Source:
Chicago Times, October 15, 1985

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/d/duchapa01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=duchapa01

Fred Beretta

Fernando Frederick "Fred" Beretta


Born:
January 24, 1917
Proctor, VT 

Died:
November 17, 1962
Indianapolis, IN


Career
1933-34 Bedford High School - Indiana (High School)
1934-35 Bedford High School - Indiana (High School)
1935-36 Bedford High School - Indiana (High School)
1937-38 Purdue University (College)
1938-39 Purdue University (College)
1939-40 Purdue University (College)
1940-41 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)


He served in the U.S. Army during World War 2.
He married Helen Pattison (1917-2008) on October 2, 1948. They had two daughters, Susan Clark and Diane Conley.

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/b/beretfr01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=beretfr01

1940-41 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)

1940-41 AKRON FIRESTONE NON-SKIDS
NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Finished: 13-11 .542, tied for 2nd place

Semifinals - Lost to Oshkosh, 2-0


Head Coach: Paul Sheeks (October 18, 1889 – September 17, 1968) 
 

PLAYERS: 

• Fred Beretta (January 24, 1917 - November 17, 1962)

Biography

• Jerry Bush (September 6, 1914 - October 27, 1976)

Biography

• Howard Cable (April 4, 1913-February 19, 1995)

Biography

• Paul DuCharme (August 27, 1917 - October 12, 1985)

Biography

• Robert Hassmiller (December 17, 1916 - September 8, 1980)

Biography

• Jack Jennings (April 2, 1918 -February 8, 1982) 

Biography

• John Moir (May 22, 1917 - November 15, 1975)

Biography

• Paul Nowak (March 15, 1914 - January 10, 1983)

Biography

• Tommy O'Brien (February 16, 1916 - November 17, 1955)

Biography

• Jack Ozburn (January 4, 1913-February 14, 1969)

Biography

• Harry Sorensen (March 27, 1914 - April 28, 1991)

Biography

• Irving Terjesen (March 4, 1915 - April 12, 1990)

Biography

• Thomas Wukovits (February 4, 1916 - November 12, 1991)

Biography

Tom Wukovits

Thomas William Wukovits



Born:
February 4, 1916
South Bend, IN

Died:
November 12, 1991
Charlotte, FL


Career
1931-32 Riley High School - South Bend, IN (High School)
1932-33 Riley High School - South Bend, IN (High School)
1933-34 Riley High School - South Bend, IN (High School)
1935-36 Notre Dame (College)
1936-37 Notre Dame (College)
1937-38 Notre Dame (College)
1938-39 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)
1939-40 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)
1940-41 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)
1941-42 Toledo Jim White Chevrolets (NBL)
1944-45 Cleveland Allmen Transfers (NBL)
1945-46 Cleveland Allmen Transfers (NBL)

From South Bend, it seemed natural that Wukovits would play basketball at Notre Dame. The Irish were a dominant basketball powerhouse during Wukovits time there. He went on the play five seasons in the NBL, with a interruption that I think might be military service, but not certain.

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/w/wukovth01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=wukovto01

Harry Sorensen

Harry Louis Sorensen


Born:
March 27, 1914    
Hardy, NE

Died:
April 28, 1991
Quincy, IL


Career
Hardy High School  - Nebraska (High School)
1934-35 Nebraska University (College)
1935-36 Nebraska University (College)
1936-37 Nebraska University (College)
1939-40 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)
1940-41 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)

Born to Thomas (1874-1939) and Magdalena Simonsen (1883-1974) Sorensen, Harry played at Nebraska before joining Firestone. He left to serve in the Army during World War 2, and upon return, we rejoined Firestone as an industrial relations manager in Ravenna, Ohio. He transferred to Decatur, Illinois, where he stayed employed until he retired in 1976.
He married Virginia Martin on June 13, 1942, and had a son, Mark, and a daughter, L. Lee.



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/sorenha01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=sorenha01

Tommy O'Brien

Thomas William O'Brien 


Born:
February 16, 1916   
NY 

Died:
November 17, 1955  
El Paso, TX


Career
1933-34 Union Hill High School - New Jersey (High School)
1935-36 George Washington University (College)
1936-37 George Washington University (College)
1937-38 George Washington University (College)
1938-39 Jersey Reds (ABL)
1939-40 Jersey Reds (ABL)
1939-40 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)
1940-41 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)
1941-42 Akron Shulan (semi-pro)


Born to Michael and Mary O'Brien in New York, Tommy O'Brien was an all-American at GW. He played pro basketball in the ABL, signing ith the Jersey Reds on November 20, 1938, before moving to Akron to join the Firestones. After serving in the South Pacific during World War 2, O'Brien worked as a zone truck manager for General Motors in Texas. He died in Texas at the age of 39 of Nephrosclerosis.


He was married to Mary.



Source:
Asbury Park Press, January 5, 1938
El Paso Herald Post, November 18, 1955




Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/o/obrieto01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=lloydbi01

Bob Hassmiller

Robert Vincent Hassmiller


Born:
December 17, 1916    
Bayonne, NJ     

Died:
September 8, 1980 
Akron, OH     


Career
1936-37 Fordham University (College)
1937-38 Fordham University (College)
1938-39 Fordham University (College)
1939-40 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)
1940-41 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)
1941-42 Toledo Jim White Chevrolets (NBL)
1945-46 Trenton Tigers (ABL)


After serving in the U.S. Army during World War 2, Hassmiller worked in the Dealer Relations Office at Firestone, and later got his law degree from the University of Akron.He retired from Firestone in 1979.

He was married to Ann Javornik and had two sons.

Source:
Akron Beacon Journal, September 9, 1980

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/hassmro01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hassmbo01

1939-40 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)

1939-40 AKRON FIRESTONE NON-SKIDS
NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Eastern Division
Finished: 19-9 .679, 1st place

Eastern Division Championship - Defeated Detroit, 2-1
NBL Championship - Defeated Oshkosh, 3-2 

Johnny Moir, Paul Nowak, Tom Wukovits

• Head Coach: Paul Sheeks (October 18, 1889 – September 17, 1968) 

PLAYERS: 

• Jerry Bush (September 6, 1914 - October 27, 1976)

Biography

• Howard Cable (April 4, 1913-February 19, 1995)

Biography

• Robert Hassmiller (December 17, 1916 - September 8, 1980)

Biography

• John Moir (May 22, 1917 - November 15, 1975)

Biography

• Paul Nowak (March 15, 1914 - January 10, 1983)

Biography

• Tommy O'Brien (February 16, 1916 - November 17, 1955)

Biography

• Jack Ozburn (January 4, 1913-February 14, 1969)

Biography

• Harry Sorensen (March 27, 1914 - April 28, 1991)

Biography

• Irving Terjesen (March 4, 1915 - April 12, 1990)

Biography

• Paul Tobin (November 23, 1909-September 6, 2003)

Biography

Thomas Joseph and Annie Elizabeth Tobin

• Thomas Wukovits (February 4, 1916 - November 12, 1991)

Biography

Rip Terjesen

Irving Bernhard "Rip" Terjesen


Born:
March 4, 1915
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
April 12, 1990
Akron, OH 


Career
1931-32 James Madison High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1932-33 James Madison High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1933-34 James Madison High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1934-35 NYU (College)
1935-36 NYU (College)
1936-37 NYU (College)
1937-38 NYU (College)
1938-39 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)
1939-40 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)
1940-41 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)


Son of Norwegian immigrants Ole (1880-1956) and Anna Berta Terjesen (1882-1975). His brother Ole played basketball in the ABL.

Married Ruth Alice Pedersen (1919-1987). They had one son, Barry Erik Terjesen (b.1941)





Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/t/terjeir01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=terjeri01

Paul Nowak

Paul Thomas "Butch" Nowak



Born:
March 15, 1914    
South Bend, IN

Died:
December 27, 1982 
Saint Petersburg, FL      


Career
1931-32 Central High School - South Bend, Indiana (High School)
1935-36 Notre Dame (College)
1936-37 Notre Dame (College)
1937-38 Notre Dame (College) 
1938-39 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)
1939-40 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)
1940-41 Akron Firestone Non-Skids (NBL)
1941-42 Toledo Jim White Chevrolets (NBL)
1941-42 East Liverpool Fleetwings (Independent)
1941-42 Rochester Seagrams (Independent)
1942-43 Rochester Seagrams (Independent) 
1943-44 Philadelphia SPHAs (ABL)

Born and raised in South Bend, Nowak was a three-time All-American at Notre Dame before joining Akron. After three seasons in Akron, he moved to Toldeo where he played one season. He played for the Philadelphia SPHAs for a season.
He owned a retail package store until he retired and moved to Florida.




Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/n/nowakpa01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=nowakpa01