Jimmy Kent

James Edward Kent


Born:
February 8, 1906
Jersey City, NJ

Died:
July 29, 1993
Acworth, GA


Career
1928-29 Hoboken Saints (Independent)
1928-29 Hoboken Germans (Independent)
1929-30 Maspeth Pros (Independent)
1930-31 Honesdale (PSL)
1931-32 Dunmore (PSL)
1932-33 Hoboken Lisas (MBL)
1932-33 Jersey City Palace Diamonds (MBL)
1933-34 Hoboken Thoutots (ABL)
1933-34 Union City Reds (ABL)
1933-34 New York Nationals (Independent)
1934-35 Albany (NYSL)
1934-35 Bridgeton (EBL)
1934-35 Yonkers Caseys (Independent)
1935-36 Yonkers Caseys (Independent)
1936-37 Yonkers Caseys (Independent)
1937-38 Hoboken Germans (Independent)


He married Adelene Mara and they had one son.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/jimmy-kent/

Buddy Hassett

John Aloysius "Buddy" Hassett


Born:
September 5, 1911
New York, NY

Died:
August 23, 1997
Westwood, NJ


Career
1930-31 Manhattan College (College)
1931-32 Manhattan College (College)
1932-33 Manhattan College (College)
1933-34 Union City Reds (ABL)
1933-34 Kingsbridge St.John’s Lyceum (Independent)
1934-35 Cagle All Stars (Independent)
1934-35 Jersey Reds (ABL)
1938-39 New York Yankees (Independent)


Buddy was a very talented athlete who played baseball and basketball professionally. Born to John and Hannah Hassett in Hell's Kitchen, Buddy and his three brothers all played college basketball. Brother Billy would play the game professionally, also. The captain of both the baseball and basketball team at Manhattan, Buddy was signed by the New York Yankees baseball club following his graduation in 1933. In his first three years in the minors, Hassett batted .332, .360 and .337 and even stole 56 bases for Norfolk in 1934. At this time, however, the first baseman realized that the Yankees was not his best option, since Lou Gehrig has holding down the first base job for the Yanks, and Hassett asked to be traded. He was sent to the Dodgers where he would play three seasons, batting .304. By the time he was traded, Hassett had played basketball in the off-season. including two tours in the ABL. Now in baseball's National League, he quit playing hoop (although he would play a little bit for the basketball version of the Yankees in 1938-39). A solid contact hitter who rarely struck out, Hassett found himself back with the Yankees in 1942 after three years with the Boston Braves. The Yankees won the World Series that year, and after the Series, Hassett joined the U.S. Navy and served the country as a physical education instructor and trainer. After the war, he didn't return to athletics and instead took a job at Eastern Freightways and in his 40 years there would reach the level of vice president. He had to work through his 80's due to the lack of pensions for pre-1947 baseball players. Hassett also enjoyed singing and was always ready to belt out favorites such as "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling." Hassett was 85 when he died of bone cancer in 1997.

Buddy married Veronica Mackin in 1942 and they had two daughters.

Major League Baseball Stats:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hassebu01.shtml

Source:
SABR

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/buddy-hassett/

Freddie Gerken

Frederick John Gerken


Born:
November 1, 1911
Union Hill, NJ

Died:
March 14, 1984
Albuquerque, NM


Career
1931-32 Union City Reds (MBL)
1932-33 Union City Reds (MBL)
1933-34 Union City Reds (ABL)
1934-35 Jersey Reds (ABL)
1935-36 Jersey Reds (ABL)
1936-37 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1937-38 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1937-38 New York Celtics (Independent)
1938-39 Brooklyn Visitation (Independent)
1941-42 Saratoga Indians (Independent)
1942-43 Wilmington Clippers (Independent)
1943-44 Brooklyn Jewels (Independent)
1944-45 Hartford Pros (Independent)
1944-45 Long Island Grumans (Independent)

Born to Harry and Evelyn Gerken, Freddie grew up in Union Hill, New Jersey, and would later play pro basketball with the Union City Reds (The town of Union Hill merged with West Hoboken in 1925 to become Union City). After five season with the Reds, including when the team moved from the Metropolitan League to the ABL and being named "Union City Reds" to "Jersey Reds," Gerken went over to play with the Visitations. He would serve in the military during World War 2, and played for a few independent teams around the Atlantic seaboard while serving. Gerken eventually moved to New Mexico, where he died in 1984. Lt. Col. Gerken is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

Freddie was married to Rose Ann.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/freddie-gerken/

Jimmy Collins

James A. "Rip" Collins Jr.


Born:
1907??


Died:




Career

1926-27 St John's University (College)
1927-28 St John's University (College)
1928-29 St John's University (College)
1929-30 Crescent AC - Brooklyn (Independent)
1930-31 Crescent AC - Brooklyn (Independent)
1931-31 Columbus Council K of C - Brooklyn (Independent)
1931-32 St. John's High School - Brooklyn (High School) Head coach
1932-33 Union City Reds (MBL)
1933-34 Union City Reds (ABL)
1934-35 Jersey Reds (ABL)
1934-35 Utica (NYSL)


Collins played basketball and baseball at SJU.

In June of 1931, Collins was named Athletic Director at St. John's High School in Brooklyn, as well as baseball and basketball coach. However, he was let go a year later.

Source:


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

Lou Bender

Louis S. Bender


Born:
March 8, 1910
New York City, NY

Died:
September 10, 2009
Longboat Key, Fl


Career
1926-27 DeWitt-Clinton High School - New York, NY (High School)
1927-28 DeWitt-Clinton High School - New York, NY (High School)
1929-30 Columbia University (College)
1930-31 Columbia University (College)
1931-32 Columbia University (College)
1932-33 NY Original Celtics (Independent)
1932-33 Union City Reds (MBL)
1933-34 Union City Reds (ABL)
1934-35 Jersey Reds (ABL)
1934-35 Boston Trojans (ABL)
1935-36 Long Island Pros (Independent)
1936-37 New York Whirlwinds (Independent)
1936-37 New York Jewels (ABL)
1936-37 Tunkhannock (PSL)
1939-40 New York Whirlwinds (Independent)

A high-scoring player who twice lead the Eastern Intercollegiate League (now known as the Ivy League) in scoring, Bender graduated in 1932 and started playing professionally. During this time, he continued with his education and graduated from Columbia with a Law Degree in 1935. He played basketball a few more seasons before devoting his full attention to his legal career. He was a very well-known trial lawyer and was a assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern district in New York. He practiced law for over 50 years, specializing in the defense of tax evasion. He died in 2009 after a short battle with cancer at the age of 99.

He married Jean Waterman, his wife of 75 years, in 1934 and they had two sons and two daughters.

Source:
Obituary, Herald Tribune, September 12, 2009
Obituary, boston.comm September 19, 2009

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/lou-bender/

1933-34 Union City Reds (ABL)

1933-34 UNION CITY REDS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE (II)
First Half:
10-18 .357, 6th place
Second Half:
4-7 .364, 6th place

• Head Coach: Muggsy Miller (July 24, 1891 - September 9, 1976)

PLAYERS:

• Paulie Adamo (January 11, 1907 - February 29, 1972)

Biography

• Lou Bender (March 8, 1910 - September 10, 2009)

Biography

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

Biography
 

• Tony Calland (September 2, 1902 - October 15, 1997)

Biography

• Gaza Chizmadia (January 12, 1906 - April 23, 1987)

Biography 

• Jimmy Collins (1907?? - )

Biography

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

Biography

• Buddy Hassett (September 5, 1911 - August 23, 1997)

Biography

• Jimmy Kent (February 8, 1906 - July 29, 1993)

Biography

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

Biography

Howie Bollerman

Howard Henry Bollerman


Born:
June 9, 1907
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
August 15, 1966
Hackensack, NJ


Career
1923-24 Hackensack High School - New Jersey (High School)
1924-25 Hackensack High School - New Jersey (High School)
1926-27 Colgate University (College)
1927-28 Colgate University (College)
1928-29 Colgate University (College)
1929-30 Paterson Whirlwinds (ABL)
1929-30 Bound Brook High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1930-31 Kennett Square (EBL)
1930-31 Bound Brook High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1931-32 Union City Reds (MBL)
1931-32 Bound Brook High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1932-33 Union City Reds (MBL)
1932-33 Trenton Bengals (EBL)
1932-33 Nanticoke (PSL)
1932-33 Bound Brook High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1933-34 Union City Reds (ABL)
1933-34 Nanticoke (PSL)
1933-34 Bound Brook High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1934-35 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1934-35 Nanticoke (PSL)
1934-35 Trenton (EBL)
1934-35 Bound Brook High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1935-36 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1935-36 Wilkes-Barre (PSL)
1935-36 Bound Brook High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1936-37 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1936-37 Wilkes-Barre (PSL)
1936-37 Bound Brook High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1937-38 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1938-39 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1938-39 Schuylkill Haven (TCL)
1938-39 Hackensack High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1939-40 Baltimore Clippers (ABL)
1939-40 Schuylkill Haven (TCL)
1939-40 Hackensack High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1940-41 Washington Brewers (ABL)
1940-41 Baltimore Clippers (ABL)
1940-41 Schuylkill Haven (TCL)
1940-41 Hackensack High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1941-42 Schuylkill Haven (TCL)
1941-42 Kingston-Pittsfield (NYSL)
1941-42 Hackensack High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1942-43 New York Jewels (ABL)
1942-43 Hackensack High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1943-44 New York Americans (ABL)
1943-44 Hackensack High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1944-45 New York Westchesters (ABL)
1944-45 Hackensack High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1945-46 Hackensack High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1946-47 Bergen (NYNJ)
1946-47 Hackensack High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1947-48 Hackensack High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1948-49 Hackensack High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1949-50 Hackensack High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1950-51 Hackensack High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1951-52 Hackensack High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1952-53 Hackensack High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach
1953-54 Hackensack High School - New Jersey (High School) Head coach 

Bollerman was born in Brooklyn and lived in Queens before the family moved to Bogota, New Jersey, when Howard was around 10 years old. He worked for many years as a teacher, coach and athletic director while playing pro basketball on the side. He stopped coach and teaching when he became the principal at Hackensack HS. He held this post through August 1966 when he suffered a fatal heart attack leaving his house for work one morning. He was 59 years old.

He was married to Louise (1908-1984) and they had one son and one daughter.

Source:
Colgate Hall of Fame

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/howie-bollerman/

Tony Calland

Tony Calland
born Anthony J. Calandriello


Born:
September 2, 1902
Hoboken, NJ

Died:
October 15, 1997
Hoboken, NJ


Career
1924-25 Union City Holy Family Lyceum (Independent)
1925-26 New York Nationals (Independent)
1926-27 New York Nationals (Independent)
1927-28 Catskill Howitzers (MBL)
1928-29 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1928-29 Paterson Whirlwinds (ABL)
1929-30 New York Celtics (ABL)
1929-30 Camden-Wilmington (EBL)
1930-31 Camden (EBL)
1930-31 Hoboken St.Joseph’s Catholic Club (Independent)
1931-32 Union City Reds (MBL)
1931-32 Hoboken St.Joseph’s Catholic Club (Independent)
1932-33 Union City Reds (MBL)
1932-33 Billie Taylor’s Metropolitan League Stars (Independent)
1933-34 Union City Reds (ABL)
1933-34 Hoboken St.Joseph’s Catholic Club (Independent)
1934-35 House of David (Independent)
1935-36 Alabama Pitts All-Stars (Independent)
1935-36 New York Celtics (Independent)
1936-37 House of David (Independent)
1937-38 House of David (Independent)
1938-39 House of David (Independent)
1939-40 Hoboken Oxfords (Independent)
1939-40 Brooklyn St.Mary’s Americans (Independent)

Born to Joseph and Grace Calandriello, Tony played under the name Calland. Having a lengthy athletic career, Calland played through the 1930's with a stint on the popular House of David team.

He married Marta Mehnert (1905-1980) and they had one daughter.

Source:


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

Paulie Adamo

Paul Ferdinand Adamo


Born:
January 11, 1907
Hoboken, NJ

Died:
February 29, 1972
Hoboken, NJ


Career
Panzer College of Physical Education  - East Orange, NJ (College)
1928-29 Hoboken Saints (Independent)
1928-29 Trenton Royal Bengals (ABL)
1929-30 Wilmington (EL)
1930-31 Wilmington (TSL)
1930-31 Hoboken Saints (Independent)
1931-32 Wilmington Cardinals (EBL)
1931-32 Union City Reds (NBL)
1931-32 Hoboken Lisas (MBL)
1932-33 Wilmington Cats (EBL)
1932-33 Hoboken Lisas (MBL)
1933-34 Hoboken Thoutots / Camden Brewers (ABL)
1933-34 Union City Reds (ABL)
1934-35 Jersey Reds (ABL)
1935-36 Jersey Reds (ABL)
1936-37 Jersey Reds (ABL)
1937-38 Jersey Reds (ABL)
1937-38 Pittston (NYPA)
1938-39 Jersey Reds (ABL)
1939-40 Jersey Reds (ABL) Head coach / player
1941-42 Pittsfield (NYSL)
1942-43 Original Celtics (Independent)
1945-46 Jersey Reds (Independent) Head coach / player
1946-47 Jersey City Atoms (ABL) Head coach

Born in New Jersey to Baldwin and Concetta Adamo, Pail went to the old Panzer College of Physical Education in New Jersey (which in 1958 would merge with Montclair State Teachers College to become Montclair University). He would be one of the leading scorers in the American and Eastern leagues. He served in the Army during World War 2, and after the war, returned to the Jersey Reds, now an independent team, as a player and head coach. He would quit as a player after the year, but started the 1946-47 season as the head coach of the Jersey City Atoms. He was dismissed after the club lost their first four games.

Paulie married Margaret Kenny (1908-1997) in 1930

Source:
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, April 1, 1938

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/paulie-adamo/

Bob Synnott

Robert Thomas Synnott


Born:
September 27, 1912
New York, NY

Died:
November 19, 1985
Miami, FL


Career
Theodore Roosevelt High School - Bronx, NY (High School)
1932-33 Bronx (MBL)
1933-34 Bronx Americans (ABL)
1933-34 Union City Reds (ABL)
1934-35 Cagle All-Stars (Independent)
1934-35 Jersey Reds (ABL)
1934-35 Mount Vernon Maroons (Independent)
1935-36 Jersey Reds (ABL)
1935-36 Brooklyn Visitation (ABL)
1935-36 Mount Vernon Maroons (Independent)
1936-37 Original Celtics (Independent)
1936-37 Brooklyn Visitation (ABL)
1936-37 National City Bank (Independent)
1936-37 Tunkhannock (Independent)
1937-38 Brooklyn Visitation (ABL)
1937-38 Tunkhannock (Independent)
1938-39 Brooklyn Visitation (ABL)
1939-40 Baltimore Clippers (ABL)
1939-40 Troy Celtics (ABL)
1939-40 Brooklyn Americans
1939-40 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1939-40 Syracuse Reds (Independent)
1940-41 Knights of Columbus (Independent)
1940-41 Troy Monitors (NYSL)
1940-41 New York Jewels (ABL)
1940-41 Original Celtics (Independent)
1940-41 Syracuse Reds (Independent)
1941-42 Pittsfield Golden Bears (NYSL)
1941-42 Schuyhill Haven (TSL)
1941-42 Bridgeport Newfields (CSL)
1942-43 Harrisburg Senators (ABL)
1942-43 Detroit Eagles (Independent)
1943-44 Brooklyn Indians (ABL)
1943-44 Detroit Eagles (Independent) 
1943-44 Original Celtics (Independent)
1944-45 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1945-46 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1946-47 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1946-47 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1946-47 Mohawks Redskins (NYSL)
1946-47 Gloversville Glovers (NYSL)
1946-47 Utica Olympians (NYSL)
1947-48 Utica Olympians (NYSL) Head Coach

Synnott had a long career of professional basketball, playing in the ABL for many years as well as the Original Celtics. He moved on to play three seasons in the NBL.

Synnott may have played minor league baseball, too. There is a Robert Synnott who played for Cumberland in the Mid Atlantic League in 1931 and 1932.

Minor League Stats (maybe)
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=synnot001rob

Thanks to Jay LaFountaine for piecing together a good chunk of his travelogue.

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/synnoro01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=synnobo01