1949-50 OSHKOSH ALL-STARS
WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE1st 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:
PLAYERS:
- 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.
