Jerry Otskey

Jerome A. Otskey


Born:
April 9, 1918
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
November 7, 2006
Henderson, NV


Career
1933-34 St. Vincent De Paul - Brooklyn (Independent)
1935-36 St. Francis College - New York (College)
1935-36 St. Vincent De Paul - Brooklyn (Independent)
1936-37 St. Vincent De Paul - Brooklyn (Independent)
1937-38 Dongan Caseys (Independent)
1938-39 St.Lucy’s CC (Independent)
1938-39 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1939-40 St. Vincent De Paul - Brooklyn (Independent)
1940-41 LI King Kullen (Independent)
1941-42 LI King Kullen (Independent)
1941-42 71st Brigade Headquarters Battalion - Vermont (Military)
1941-42 Albany (NYSL)
1942-43 Fort Ethan Allen - Vermont (Military) 
1946-47 Long Island City (NYNJL)
1946-47 Holy Family (LIPL)

Born to Peter and Florence Otskey, Jerry went to St. Francis in New York and played pro and semi-pro basketball for a few years until the advent of World War 2, when Otskey enlisted in the U.S. Army after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was stationed at Fort Ethan Allen in Vermont and while on leave would play some basketball.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/jerry-otskey/

Tony Krygier

Anthony Joseph Krygier


Born:
September 25, 1915
Maspeth, NY

Died:
November 5, 2010
Port St Lucie, FL


Career
1938-39 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1939-40 New York Jewels (ABL)
1940-41 New York Jewels (ABL)
1941-42 New York Jewels (ABL)
1941-42 Albany (NYSL)
1941-42 Pittsfield (NYSL)
1942-43 New York Jewels (ABL)
1942-43 Harrisburg Senators (ABL)
1943-44 Brooklyn Indians (ABL)
1943-44 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1943-44 New York District Coast Guard (Military)
1944-45 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1945-46 New York Gothams (ABL)
1945-46 Hartford Pros (NEBL)
1946-47 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1946-47 Newark Bobcats (ABL)
1946-47 Queens (LIBL)

Aside from a lengthy basketball career, Krygier served in the Coast Guard during World War 2 and became a police officer in New York City. He retired and moved to Florida in 1980.

He married Grace in 1943 and they had at least one son.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/tony-krygier/

1938-39 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)

1938-39 BROOKLYN VISITATIONS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE (II)
7-20 .259, 7th place

• Head Coach: John Donlin (August 26, 1889 - November 22, 1964)

PLAYERS:

• Howie Bollerman (June 9, 1907 - August 15, 1966)

Biography

• Frank Conaty (December 30, 1909 - May 13, 1970)

Biography 

• Allie Esposito (March 23, 1914 - January 3, 2009)

Biography

• Nat Frankel (November 3, 1913 - March 14, 2006)

Biography

• Matt Guokas (November 11, 1915 - December 9, 1993)

Biography

• Tony Kappen (April 13, 1919 - December 18, 1993)

Biography

• Tony Krygier (September 25, 1915 - November 5, 2010)

Biography

• Venty Lieb (April 18, 1912 - February 3, 1990)

Biography

• Bill Nash (January 13, 1913 - April 19, 2003)

Biography 

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

Biography

• Jerry Otskey (April 9, 1918 - November 7, 2006)

Biography

• Joe Polcha (February 24, 1917 - March 27, 1959)

Biography
 

• Bob Synnott (September 27, 1912 - November 19, 1985)

Biography

Joe Polcha

Joseph Francis Polcha Jr.


Born:
February 24, 1917
Yonkers, NY

Died:
March 27, 1959
West Haven, CT


Career
1937-38 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1938-39 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1938-39 Troy Haymakers (ABL)
1938-39 Yonkers Pros (Independent)
1939-40 Troy Celtics (ABL)

1939-40 Danbury Guards (CSL)
1940-41 Baltimore Bullets (ABL)
1940-41 Troy (NYSL)
1942-43 Kaneohe Rangers (Military)
1946-47 Troy Celtics (ABL)

Born to Joseph and Sophie Polcha, Polcha grew up in Yonkers and played basketball in the ABL before being inducted into the U.S. Army in the summer of 1941. He was stationed in Hawaii, and survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that December. He served with honor in various battles in the Pacific, and it was during the battle of Saipan that Polcha was discovered to have a serious lung ailment. He received his medical discharge in late 1945, and returned to Troy and played another season with the Celtics. However, his illness slowly got worse and the athlete had to give up playing. His health declined until 1959, when he finally succumbed to the disease. He was only 42.

Polcha never married, but he was engaged to Alice Reynolds for seven years but died before nuptials could take place

Source:
Obituary, Herald Statesman (Yonkers, NY), March 30, 1959

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/joe-polcha/

Jack O'Hare

John O'Hare


Born:



Died:




Career
1937-38 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)

Joined Brooklyn in March of 1938. Maybe played college ball in 1937-38 and joined Brooklyn after they college season ended.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/jack-ohare/

Bill Nash

William D. Nash


Born:
January 13, 1913
New York, NY

Died:
April 19, 2003
Point Lookout, NY


Career
1930-31 Newtown High School - Queens, NY (High School)
1931-32 Newtown High School - Queens, NY (High School)
1933-34 Columbia University (College)
1934-35 Columbia University (College)
1935-36 Columbia University (College)
1937-38 New York Celtics (ABL)
1937-38 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1938-39 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1939-40 Baltimore Bullets (ABL)

Nash lettered in three sports at Newtown, High School in Queens, New York. He played baseball and basketball at Columbia, and was the basketball team captain in his senior year. He served in World War II, and later had a trucking business in New Jersey.


Source:


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

1937-38 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)

1937-38 BROOKLYN VISITATIONS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE (II)
First Half:
13-10 .565, 3rd place
Second Half:
2-15 .118, 6th place

• Head Coach: John Donlin (August 26, 1889 - November 22, 1964)

PLAYERS:

• Howie Bollerman (June 9, 1907 - August 15, 1966)

Biography

• Frank Conaty (December 30, 1909 - May 13, 1970)

Biography 

• Allie Esposito (March 23, 1914 - January 3, 2009)

Biography 

• Nat Frankel (November 3, 1913 - March 14, 2006)

Biography

• Freddie Gerken (November 1, 1911 - March 14, 1984)

Biography

• Rip Gerson (April 6, 1906 - March 2, 1961)

Biography

• Matt Guokas (November 11, 1915 - December 9, 1993)

Biography

• Dick Lee (c. 1912 - ????)

Biography
 

• Venty Lieb (April 18, 1912 - February 3, 1990)

Biography

• Frank McGuire (November 8, 1913 - October 16, 1994)

Biography

• Bill Nash (January 13, 1913 - April 19, 2003)

Biography 

• Jack O’Hare 

Biography

• Joe Polcha (February 24, 1917 - March 27, 1959)

Biography
 

• George Slott (June 9, 1912 - February 22, 1962)

Biography

• Bob Synnott (September 27, 1912 - November 19, 1985)

Biography

Frank Moylan

Francis Aloysius Moylan


Born:
July 6, 1913
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
April 1, 1997
Bellmore, NY


Career
1936-37 Brooklyn Prospects (Independent)
1936-37 Loughlin Lyceum - Brooklyn (Independent)
1936-37 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1936-37 Teresians - Brooklyn (Independent)



Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/frank-moylan/

Frank McGuire

Francis Joseph McGuire


Born:
November 8, 1913
Greenwich Village, NY

Died:
October 16, 1994
Columbia, SC


Career
1931-32 St. Francis Xavier High School - New York (High School)
1932-33 St. Francis Xavier High School - New York (High School)
1933-34 St. John's University (College)
1934-35 St. John's University (College)
1935-36 St. John's University (College)
1936-37 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1936-37 St. Francis Xavier High School - New York (High School)
1937-38 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1937-38 St. Francis Xavier High School - New York (High School)
1938-39 St. Francis Xavier High School - New York (High School)
1939-40 St. Francis Xavier High School - New York (High School)
1940-41 St. Francis Xavier High School - New York (High School)
1941-42 St. Francis Xavier High School - New York (High School)
1942-43 St. Francis Xavier High School - New York (High School)
1943-44 St. Francis Xavier High School - New York (High School)
1944-45 St. Francis Xavier High School - New York (High School)
1945-46 St. Francis Xavier High School - New York (High School)
1946-47 St. Francis Xavier High School - New York (High School)
1947-48 St. John's University (College) Head coach
1948-49 St. John's University (College) Head coach
1949-50 St. John's University (College) Head coach
1950-51 St. John's University (College) Head coach
1951-52 St. John's University (College) Head coach
1952-53 University of North Carolina (College) Head coach
1953-54 University of North Carolina (College) Head coach
1954-55 University of North Carolina (College) Head coach
1955-56 University of North Carolina (College) Head coach
1956-57 University of North Carolina (College) Head coach
1957-58 University of North Carolina (College) Head coach
1958-59 University of North Carolina (College) Head coach
1959-60 University of North Carolina (College) Head coach
1960-61 University of North Carolina (College) Head coach
1961-62 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA) Head coach
1964-65 University of South Carolina (College) Head coach
1965-66 University of South Carolina (College) Head coach
1966-67 University of South Carolina (College) Head coach
1967-68 University of South Carolina (College) Head coach
1968-69 University of South Carolina (College) Head coach
1969-70 University of South Carolina (College) Head coach
1970-71 University of South Carolina (College) Head coach
1971-72 University of South Carolina (College) Head coach
1972-73 University of South Carolina (College) Head coach
1973-74 University of South Carolina (College) Head coach
1974-75 University of South Carolina (College) Head coach
1975-76 University of South Carolina (College) Head coach
1976-77 University of South Carolina (College) Head coach
1977-78 University of South Carolina (College) Head coach
1978-79 University of South Carolina (College) Head coach
1979-80 University of South Carolina (College) Head coach 

NATIONAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME, 1977

Frank was a star basketball player at St John's, and after graduating in 1936, he returned to his high school, St. Francis Xavier, as a teacher and basketball coach. He would also play for a couple season with the Brooklyn Visitations. After eleven seasons at the high school helm, he was hired to be the head basketball coach back at St. John's University as well as baseball coach. While there, he lead ST. John's to both the Final Four and the College World Series. In 1952, he was hired by North Carolina, leading them to a perfect 32-0 record and the NCAA title in 1957. In this spring of 1961, in the midst of a point shaving scandal at UNC, McGuire was forced to resign his position.

McGuire moved to the pros, being named the head coach of the Philadelphia Warriors in 1961. Wilt Chamberlain was a member of the Warriors, and that season would score an NBA record 100 points in a single game as well as average 50.4 point per game. At the end of the season, it was announced that the Warriors were going to move across the country to San Francisco. McGuire, not wanting to move, resigned. A couple years later, he took the head coaching job at South Carolina, staying there sixteen seasons until retiring in 1980. His career record as a college coach is 549-237. He was elected to the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1977.

In 1992, McGuire suffered a series of strokes, and over the next couple years his health slowly faded until dying in 1994 at the age of 80.

Frank had two daughters and a son.

Source:
Chicago Tribune, March 18, 1990
Obituary, N.Y. Times, October 12, 1994

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/frank-mcguire/

Milt McDermott

Milton George McDermott


Born:
October 23, 1911
Whitestone (Queens), NY

Died:
July 7, 1996
Flushing, NY


Career
1929-30 Whitestone Separates (Independent)
1932-33 College Point Nomads (Independent)
1933-34 Long Island Whirlwinds (Independent)
1936-37 Paterson/Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1937-38 New York Gaels (Independent)

Born in Whitestone, New York (a neighborhood of Queens), Milt is the older brother of fellow cager and Naismith Hall of Fame Bobby McDermott. He played some pro basketball over the 1930's but never attained a level anywhere near his brother.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/milt-mcdermott/

Venty Leib

Aaron Venty Leib


Born:
April 18, 1912
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
February 3, 1990
Lake Worth, FL


Career
1928-29 Franklin Lane High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1929-30 Franklin Lane High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1931-32 New York University (College)
1932-33 New York University (College)
1933-34 New York University (College)
1936-37 Atlantic City Sandsnipers (ABL)
1936-37 New York Jewels (ABL)
1936-37 New York Dux (Independent)
1937-38 Kingston Colonials (ABL)
1937-38 New York Yankees (ABL)
1937-38 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1937-38 Larksville (NYPA)
1938-39 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1943-44 Brooklyn College (College) Head coach
1948-49 Lincoln High School - Brooklyn (High School) Head coach
1948-49 Lincoln High School - Brooklyn (High School) Head coach
1948-49 Lincoln High School - Brooklyn (High School) Head coach
1948-49 Lincoln High School - Brooklyn (High School) Head coach

Leib was a star basketball player and tennis player in high school and playing both at NYU, he want on to play professional basketball before focusing full time to teaching and coaching. He took Lincoln HS to a state title as a coach a mere twenty years after playing on Lane HS's championship team.
He married Esther Sherman (1915-2010) in 1940 and they had two children.

Source:
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, April 6, 1949

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/venty-leib/

Dick Lee

Richard Lee


Born:
1912??


Died:




Career
Bryant High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1936-37 Brooklyn St. Lucy CC
1936-37 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1937-38 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1937-38 New York Yankees (ABL)
1938-39 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1939-40 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1939-40 Washington Brewers (ABL)
1940-41 Albany (NYSL)
1940-41 Glens Falls (NYSL)
1940-41 Brooklyn Dodgers (Independent)
1941-42 Albany (NYSL)
1946-47 Long Island (NYNJ)

From Brooklyn

I saw one article where his name is spelled "Lea"

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/dick-lee/

Allie Esposito

Albert J. "Arby" Esposito


Born:
March 23, 1914
Brooklyn. NY

Died:
January 3, 2009
Holmdel, NJ


Career
1936-37 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1937-38 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1937-38 Plymouth (NYPA)
1938-39 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1938-39 New York Yankees (Independent)
1939-40 Baltimore Clippers (ABL)
1940-41 Baltimore Clippers (ABL)
1941-42 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1941-42 Troy (NYSL)
1942-43 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1942-43 Brooklyn Jewels (Independent)
1943-44 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1946-47 Trenton Tigers (ABL)

Born in Brooklyn to Panteleone and Madalena Esposito, Allie would play for many years in the ABL, with an interruption during World War 2 where he served in the Pacific Theater. He would return from the war and play a little more basketball, but would go on to a lengthy career with the post office.

He married Antoinette Carnevale and they had one son and one daughter.

Source:
Obituary, Asbury Park Press, January 5, 2009

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/allie-esposito/

1936-37 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)

1936-37 PATERSON / BROOKLYN VISITATIONS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE (II)
First Half:
4-12 .250, 5th place
Second Half:
10-9 .526, 3rd place

The team began play in Paterson, New Jersey, but returned to Brooklyn on November 23, 1936.

• Head Coach: John Donlin (August 26, 1889 - November 22, 1964)

PLAYERS:

• Howie Bollerman (June 9, 1907 - August 15, 1966)

Biography

• Frank Conaty (December 30, 1909 - May 13, 1970)

Biography 

• Larry Dodick (August 15, 1914 - February 11, 1999)

Biography

• Allie Esposito (March 23, 1914 - January 3, 2009)

Biography 

• Nat Frankel (November 3, 1913 - March 14, 2006)

Biography

• Freddie Gerken (November 1, 1911 - March 14, 1984)

Biography

• Nat Lazar (January 10, 1910 - February 13, 1996)

Biography

• Dick Lee (c. 1912 - ????)

Biography
 

• Bobby McDermott (January 7, 1914 - October 14, 1963)

Biography

• Milt McDermott (October 23, 1911 - July 7, 1996)

Biography

• Frank McGuire (November 8, 1913 - October 16, 1994)

Biography

• Frank Moylan (July 6, 1913 - April 1, 1997)

Biography 

• George Slott (June 9, 1912 - February 22, 1962)

Biography

• Bob Synnott (September 27, 1912 - November 19, 1985)

Biography

Rip Andrews

Adam "Rip" Andrews
born Adam Androwski


Born:
October 5, 1910
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
July 28, 1993
St. Petersburg, FL


Career
1930-31 Columbus Council - Brooklyn (Independent)
1931-32 Brooklyn Americans (Independent)
1931-32 Columbus Council - Brooklyn (Independent)
1932-33 Brooklyn Americans (Independent)
1932-33 Brooklyn Americans (MBL)
1935-36 Brooklyn Visitation (ABL)
1936-37 St. Peter's - Brooklyn (Independent)
1936-37 Columbus Caseys - Brooklyn (Independent)
1937-38 St. Peter's - Brooklyn (Independent)
1939-40 St Mary's All-Stars (Independent)


Here is how I came up with this information. Connecting a lot of dots. I would like confirmation, but feel pretty good about it.

Through various newspaper articles in the 1930's, I found that Rip Andrews first name was Adam, and his real name was Androwski. A Daily Eagle article mentioned that he worked at a brewery by day, played basketball at night. Birth Certificate gave me his parents name, and approximate birth year (1910).

So searching Ancestry.com for all combinations of his name, I found a Adam Andrews born in 1910 who died in Florida in 1983. From there, I found his obituary, which named his wife (Olga) and son (Robert G. and Dennis J. ). It also said he was from Brooklyn and was later a deputy sheriff in Suffolk Country for many years before retiring to Florida. Circumstantial so far, but worth looking deeper. I searched for any news on Andrews' career in law enforcement, but didn't find anything. I searched for Olga's obituary, but also nothing. I went back to Ancestry a search the 1940 census records. I found the man Adam Andrews who would later be Deputy Sheriff; census lists wife as Olga, son Robert G. His occupation listed in 1940? Compressor engineer. An occupation found at...... (wait for it....) BREWERIES!  That ties in to the 1933 article, and is enough for me to call this guy identified.

Born to Benjamin and Mary Andowski.

Source:
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, January 27, 1933

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/rip-androwski/

1935-36 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)

1935-36 BROOKLYN VISITATIONS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE (II)
First Half:
10-10 .500, 3rd place
Second Half:
12-8 .632,1st place


ABL Championship: Lost to Philadelphia, 4-3

• Head Coach: John Donlin (August 26, 1889 - November 22, 1964)

PLAYERS:

• Rip Andrews (October 5, 1910 - July 28, 1993)

Biography

• Pete Berenson (October 16, 1912 - January 6, 2000)

Biography 

• Howie Bollerman (June 9, 1907 - August 15, 1966)

Biography
 

• Frank Conaty (December 30, 1909 - May 13, 1970)

Biography 

• Rody Cooney (May 17, 1902 - September 29, 1965)

Biography

• Bob Grody (April 25, 1900 - June 21, 1982)

Biography

• Carlie Johnson (October 9, 1909 - January 20, 1997)

Biography 

• Bobby McDermott (January 7, 1914 - October 14, 1963)

Biography

• Bob Synnott (September 27, 1912 - November 19, 1985)

Biography

Jim Timoney

James G. Timoney


Born:
January 5, 1910
Ireland

Died:
February 25, 1990
New York


Career
1934-35 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1936-37 Columbus Caseys - Brooklyn (Independent)
1937-38 Columbus Caseys - Brooklyn (Independent) 
1938-39 Columbus Caseys - Brooklyn (Independent)
1941-42 Pfizer - Brooklyn (Independent)

Born in Ireland, the Timoney family moved to the USA in 1913. Jim played basketball for the Visitations and then for a few more years with the Caseys from Brooklyn

His younger brother, Hugh (1913-1989), played with Jim for Pfizer.


Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/jim-timoney/

Taxi Tackach

John Joseph "Taxi" Tackach


Born:
February 11, 1911
New Jersey

Died:
February 3, 1989
West Palm Beach, FL


Career
1930-31 East Rutherford High School - New Jersey (Independent)
1934-35 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1935-36 Passaic Reds (ABL)

Raised in Passaic, Tackach own a tool company in West Hartford, Connecticut, before retiring to Florida.

He and his wife, Eugenia, had one son and one daughter.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/taxi-tackach/

Danny Sexton

Daniel Francis Sexton


Born:
November 1, 1913
New York, NY

Died:
April 6, 1959
New York, NY


Career
Manhattan College (College)
1934-35 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1935-36 Columbus Council K of C (Independent)
1935-36 Alabama Pitts All-Stars (Independent)
1936-37 Brooklyn Americans (Independent)
1936-37 Flatbush Boys Club (Independent)
1937-38 House of David (Independent)

Sexton played semi-pro football and baseball around New York City as well as basketball.

He apparently had some serious back injury. He was hospitalized in September of 1945 with a back injury not long after leaving the military. He served as an MP in the army, assigned to be General Mark Clark's personal bodyguard. He also was a guard for King George VI, General Dwight Eisenhower and the Sultan of Morocco.

In February of 1959, Sexton was hospitalized at Veterans Hospital in Camden with a back injury. Not even two months later, he was dead.Not sure of the circumstances.

He was married to Eve Lucas (1917-2008).

His brother Jackie was a referee with the ABL.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/danny-sexton/

Sid Gross

Sidney Joseph Gross


Born:
November 18, 1912
New York, NY

Died:
March 28, 1988
Boca Raton, FL


Career
1931-32 Berkeley Irving School - Manhattan (High School)
1932-33 NYU (College)
1933-34 NYU (College)
1934-35 NYU (College)
1934-35 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)


Updated 6/16/20

Fixed up thanks to some new information. Thank you to the poster for their help!

Born to Joseph and Annie Gross, Sid played basketball while at NYU. He would play for the Visitations and later served in the US Navy..


Gross was married to Edna (1914-2001) and they had three daughters.

Source:
Jews In Sports


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/sid-gross/