Pioneers of the Hardwood

Todd Gould

Description

The pioneering role of Indiana in the growth of professional basketball

As fire is to prairie or water to fish, so is basketball part of the natural environment in Indiana. Round ball, or Hoosier Hysteria is so much a part of the state's heritage that many people believe basketball was invented in Indiana. Naismith's game is a virtual religion in the state.
While everyone knows about the growth of basketball in high schools and in college, the story of Indiana's role in the development of professional basketball has not been told before. It is a fascinating, passionate, lively story of men who loved the game and were willing to play for nickels, of raucous fans, local heroes, and love of the game.
Growing out of an award-winning documentary, Pioneers of the Hardwood tells the story of the growth of professional basketball in Indiana in the good old barnstorming days. Gould covers the Indianapolis Em-Roes, the Fort Wayne Pistons (later the Detroit Pistons), the Indianapolis Kautskys, and the Indianapolis Olympians. He sets his story within the context of the times and also discusses some of the teams that the local heroes competed against, including the famous New York Celtics (the original Celtics) and the gifted Harlem Rens, the first all black professional team.
The book is based on extensive research as well as revealing interviews with former players John Wooden, collegiate all-American Ralph Beard, Pat Malaska, Frank Baird, and others. Indiana teams were frequently "world champions." The Fort Wayne Pistons dominated professional basketball for a number of years.

Pioneers of the Hardwood is an essential part of the story of the growth of professional basketball in the first half of this century. As Gould puts it, "Before stars such as Larry Bird or Oscar Robertson, before the high-priced basketball shoe advertisements, and before the success of the NBA, before the Indiana Pacers, the forefathers of professional basketball forged a remarkable legacy as unlikely and as magical as a last-second shot spells a championship. Under primitive conditions, these fabled sportsmen laid a hardwood foundation for others to follow." This is their story.

Sujets

• Sport
• Autres sports
• Sports
• General officer
• Recreation
• General
• History

Informations

• Publié par: Indiana University Press
• Date de parution: 22 mars 1998
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780253028112
• Langue: English

Extrait

Pioneers of the Hardwood
Indiana and the Birth of Professional Basketball
PIONEERS of the HARDWOOD
Todd Gould
INDIANA UNIVERSITY PRESS BLOOMINGTON & INDIANAPOLIS
This book is a publication of Indiana University Press 601 North Morton Street Bloomington, Indiana 47404-3797 USA
 
http://www.indiana.edu/~iupress
 
Telephone orders      800-842-6796 Fax orders      812-855-7931 Orders by e-mail      [e-mail]
 
© 1998 by Todd Gould
 
All rights reserved
 
No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. The Association of American University Presses’ Resolution on Permissions constitutes the only exception to this prohibition.
 
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1984.
 
Manufactured in the United States of America
 
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
 
Gould, Todd, date

   Pioneers of the hardwood : Indiana and the birth of professional basketball / Todd Gould.           p.      cm.     Includes bibliographical references (p.    ) and index.     ISBN 0-253-33373-3 (cloth : alk. paper). — ISBN 0-253-21199-9 (pbk.: alk. paper)     1. Basketball—Indiana—History. I. Title. GV885.72.16G68  1998
   796.323′09772—dc21 97-382682
 
1   2   3   4   5   03   02   01   00   99   98
 
To the memory of my grandfather Homer C. “Hurley” Gould 1906–1996
Throughout the years the Old Coach imparted two sound pieces of advice to me: — Always keep your eyes on the ball. — Until the final whistle sounds, never stop playing as hard as you can. I have always found these words to be profound guidance Whether it’s basketball, or any other endeavor in my life. Thanks, Hurl!
And to Melissa My Forever Partner Your unending faith in my abilities inspired and encouraged me more than you will ever know.
Contents
Preface
Introduction
 
   1. Dividing Up the Nickels
   2. The Golden Age
   3. The Unanimous Choice
   4. The Grocer and the “India Rubber Man”
   5. A Bunch of Palookas
   6. Major League
   7. Wheeler-Dealer
   8. The Merger
   9. In the Tall Cotton
10. A Ten-Foot Pole
11. The Fateful Seventh Game
Epilogue
 
References
Index
Preface
In February 1993, Pioneers of the Hardwood premiered as a statewide television documentary produced by station WFYI-TV in Indianapolis for the Indiana Public Broadcasting System. The one-hour program on the history of professional basketball in Indiana earned critical acclaim, garnered an Emmy Award nomination, and was the highest-rated locally produced show in Indianapolis public television history.
Many sports fans believe that the Indiana Pacers were the first professional team in the Hoosier state. As a sports enthusiast and history buff, I knew that several other teams once existed. But even I was surprised to discover the rich heritage the pro game has in Indiana—a legacy that dates back to 1913. As the producer of the program, I spent three years sifting through thousands of microfilm news stories, hours of old film footage, and many telephone and live interviews with former players, coaches, and fans who shaped the early years of professional basketball.
As a television producer, I always love a good story. This project naturally appealed to me. As I researched, wrote, directed, and produced the show, I found a tremendous respect and admiration for these men and their accomplishments. Typically after a producer finishes an assignment, he moves on to the next project. But I found that I just could not let go of this enthralling and colorful piece of Indiana history. “Somebody should write a book about this,” I thought.
Months later I once again found myself trudging through piles of documentation and losing myself in the excitement of old basketball games. Naturally I could not have found much of the research I needed without the assistance of several helpful “investigators.” Special thanks goes out to Judy McGeath, the interlibrary loan coordinator at the central branch of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library. Cheerfully and diligently, Judy tracked down dozens of rare old newspaper microfilms from around the country. Many of the book’s most enlightening and humorous news quips are the result of Judy’s efforts. As well, John Selch and Darrol Pierson at the Indiana State Library newspaper archives deserve a big round of applause for traipsing through the musty corridors that house many of the state’s oldest and rarest newspapers.
On the national level, Wayne Patterson at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, furnished research and photographs to help bring this story to life. Kudos also to Bill Himmelman, president and historian of Sports Nostalgia Research in Norwood, New Jersey. On several occasions, Bill provided me with extremely rare facts and figures on Indiana’s roundball pioneers.
Back in the Hoosier state, Dale Ogden at the Indiana State Museum supplied many of the photographs you see throughout the book, as well as detailed information on the state’s earliest pro teams. The Indiana State Museum has a wonderful permanent exhibition in its sports wing with fascinating insights on many of the clubs featured in this book. When spending time in downtown Indianapolis, the Indiana State Museum is a worthwhile visit.
I would also like to thank each and every one of the players, coaches, broadcasters, and family members who gave so generously of their time to talk with me about a special time in their lives. Their accomplishments were not only colorful but often historic. It was an honor and a pleasure to speak with every one of them. I would like to extend additional thanks to Carl Bennett, former manager of the Fort Wayne Pistons. Carl acted as a historical consultant of sorts by enduring a seemingly endless string of phone calls from me to verify significant moments in the game’s history.
When I began this project, I had written many television scripts, but I knew nothing about writing a book. In fact, I had no personal computer or typewriter at the beginning of this project. I wrote the first two chapters completely in longhand. Finally a dear friend of mine, Tim Rohrman, felt sorry for me and lent me a laptop computer. I am not sure this project would have come to fruition had it not been for Tim’s generous loan.
As far as writing itself went, I turned to Pam Renner, an enthusiastic and gifted writing consultant in Dallas, Texas. Pam is one of those people who can criticize your work and make you thankful and happy about every single criticism. When personal doubts lingered as to my ability to produce this book, Pam was always there to push me, cheer me on, and make me a better writer.
My family certainly played a big supporting role in the creative process. Writing a book on top of a regular job meant many, many late hours in front of the computer. My wife, Melissa, not only had the tolerance to endure these long sessions but never lost faith in my abilities. This book is dedicated to her for giving me her heart and her patience. As well, she gave me another source of inspiration during the final months of the editing process. That inspiration was our newborn son, Nathaniel Robert. When he grows up, he will see my name on the book cover. But I hope he will understand that this project was a team effort between Dad and Mom.
Special thanks also to the rest of my family, my parents and my in-laws. Their encouragement and support were a beacon of hope during the long and lonely writing process.
Finally a word of appreciation for my other family—the folks at public television station WFYI in Indianapolis. General Manager Lloyd Wright, Station Manager Alan Cloe, Executive Producer Michael Atwood, and a whole group of highly dedicated professionals nurtured my idea for the original Pioneers of the Hardwood documentary and gave me an important statewide forum for its broadcast. Neither the documentary nor this book would have been possible without their vision and support. A portion of the proceeds from this book will go to the WFYI production fund to support local programming endeavors and help preserve the enlightening, educational value of public television in the Hoosier state.
A total of six years went into this book project. It has been truly one of the most rewarding accomplishments of my life. After completely immersing myself in pro basketball lore for more than half a decade, I still find this story fascinating. I hope you do, too.
Basketball really had its beginning in Indiana, which remains today in the center of the sport.
—Dr. James Naismith, inventor of basketball, from a 1936 speech in Indianapolis
Introduction

COLUMBUS, INDIANA, 1916—The temperature was well below freezing on this winter night, but citizens inside City Hall were plenty hot. Inside, public officials and local citizens stood and shouted. But instead of sitting through a political debate or town hall meeting, they wildly cheered as two basketball teams squared off in a game played in the wide hall on the second floor.
A local group, the Columbus Commercials, pitted their skills against the Indianapolis Em-Roes, one of the most successful touring teams in the Midwest. The excitement grew as the Em-Roes entered the playing area from their first-floor dressing room in the mayor’s office.
Admission to the exhibition was one nickel per person. Curious spectators watched from a narrow balcony that encircled the playing floor. Others crowded around the floor, just inches from the action. Amid a swelling wall of screaming fans, the players took the floor. An official tossed what appeared to be an oversized brown medicine ball with l