La Salle University
La Salle University Digital Commons
La Salle Basketball Media Guides
University Publications
1949
La Salle College Basketball 1949-50
La Salle University
Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.lasalle.edu/basketball_media_guides
Recommended Citation
La Salle University, "La Salle College Basketball 1949-50" (1949). La Salle Basketball Media Guides. 1.
http://digitalcommons.lasalle.edu/basketball_media_guides/1
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the University Publications at La Salle University Digital Commons. It has been accepted for
inclusion in La Salle Basketball Media Guides by an authorized administrator of La Salle University Digital Commons. For more information, please
contact [email protected].
Basketball
1949-50
^P"
PRESS AND RADIO
INFORMATION
OUR COVER
"Long" Larry Foust,
is
shown having
Jimmy Phelan
(10)
just
6:09 LaSalle centerman,
passed the ball
and backs out
of the
off
to
way
as
Frank Comerford (behind Phelan), Dick Adair
(6)
and Penn's Greer Heindel watch
during LaSalle's 64-44 conquest
Photo:
Courtesy
of
the
the action,
of the
Quakers.
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin
LA SALLE COLLEGE
AND RADIO
PRESS
INFORMATION
1949
-
1950
Basketball Season
Published by:
LaSalle College Public Relations Department
Olney Avenue
at 20th Street
Philadelphia 41, Pa.
Victor 8-1100
John
J.
Kelly, Director
Coach KENNETH
D.
LOEFFLER
Ken Loeffler (pronounced "Leffler"), who will be starting his first year as
mentor of the LaSalle College basketball destinies this season, is a veteran of
seventeen years' coaching in college and professional ranks.
Regarded as one of the nation's foremost court strategists, Loeffler succeeds
Charles J. McGlone, who resigned at the end of the 1948-49 season to enter
private business. Under McGlone, LaSalle teams won 61 games while dropping
only
17.
The new Explorer pilot coached the Providence Steamrollers of the Basketball
Association of America last season, but resigned in order to return to collegiate
competition. In the two preceding years, he guided the St. Louis Bombers to
two
BAA playoffs.
A native of Beaver
began coaching
at
there until 1934, the
Pittsburgh.
Falls, Pa., Ken graduated from Penn State in 1924 and
Geneva College in his home town in 1928. He remained
same year he won a degree in law at the University of
went to Yale for a seven-year hitch as basketball coach and
coach, leaving in 1942 to accept a commission in the Army
left the AAF as a major in 1945, he spent one year at the
University of Denver and, when the BAA was organized, became the first coach
taken into the new league.
In 1935, Loeffler
assistant
Air Force.
football
When Ken
Athletic Director
JAMES
J.
HENRY
Much of the credit for LaSalle's
prominence in the world of
sports can be attributed to James J.
Henry, the Explorers' Athletic Director.
Jim came to LaSalle in 1930, following his graduation from Villanova
present
where he was an honorable menAll-American end.
Originally line coach for the footteam, and basketball coach, he
was named Athletic Director in 1935.
Under Jim, LaSalle's athletic protion
ball
gram has expanded both
inter-col-
legiately and intra-murally, with over
1200 students participating in the
softball,
touch football, basketball,
swimming,
bowling,
other
and
Henry was instrumental in
adding swimming, golf, tennis, basecrew and soccer to the list of
organized Explorer sports. Football is
the only activity that has been discontinued, due mainly to lack of
leagues.
ball,
facilities.
Just to round out a very
schedule, Jim teaches Finance.
Trainer
HARRY
E.
BRUNER
Harry, a personal student of Frank
Wiechec, former Assistant Professor
of Physical Education at Temple University, and at present head trainer
for the Philadelphia National League
Baseball Club, came direct to LaSalle
discharge from the
following
his
Navy as a Mo. MM. 2 c in 1947.
In addition to keeping the basketball squad in trim, Harry also has
the responsibility of repairing injured
athletes from the swimming, soccer,
baseball, tennis, track, crew, crosscountry and golf teams.
A specialist in prevention, Bruner
has been singularly successful in
keeping injuries
to
a minimum
among
Explorer competitors during his two
years at LaSalle.
busy
SCHEDULE
1949-50
DECEMBER
Wed.
7
Millersville State
Teachers
Home
Sat.
10
DePaul
Wed.
14
Loyola
Sat.
17
Temple
Convention Hall
Mon. 26
U.C.L.A
Convention Hall
Thu.
San Francisco
Convention Hall
29
Chicago Stadium
of
Home
Baltimore
JANUARY
Mon.
2
Western Kentucky
Convention Hall
Sat.
7
Bowling Green
Convention Hall
Wed.
1 1
Bloomsburg State Teachers
Sat.
14
North Carolina State
Wed.
18
Albright
Sat.
21
St.
Sat.
28
Temple
Sat.
4
Home
Raleigh
Home
Convention Hall
Joseph's
Convention Hall
FEBRUARY
Mon.
6
Joseph's
Convention Hall
Baldwin-Wallace
Cleveland Arena
St.
Sat.
1
Toledo
Wed.
1
Loyola
Sat.
18
Muhlenberg
Tue.
21
Manhattan
Sat.
25
Cincinnati
Convention Hall
Baltimore
Allentown, Pa.
Madison Square Garden
Convention Hall
MARCH
Wed.
1
Gettysburg
Mon.
6
Boston College
Sat.
1 1
Muhlenberg
Gettysburg
Boston Gardens
Home
TEAM ROSTER
NO.
NAME
3
Fanning, Matt
4
Jones,
5
Donnelly,
6
YR.
AGE
WT.
HT.
PREP SCHOOL
Jr.
22
170
5'9"
St.
Soph.
19
175
6'2"
Northeast
Soph.
19
160
5'11"
LaSalle H.
S.
Grauer, John
Soph.
19
185
67"
LaSalle H.
S.
8
McCann, Bob
Sr.
23
155
5'8"
Bartram
9
Colman, Walt
Sr.
21
170
6'
N. Catholic
13
Phelan, Jimmy
Jr.
20
175
6'
LaSalle H.
1
McMenamin, Fran
Soph.
19
180
511"
Roman
12
Haggerty, Jack
Jr.
23
180
6'
Ben Franklin
14
Foust, Larry
Sr.
21
240
6'9"
15
Gillespie,
Jr.
20
188
6'4"
15
Tomkins, Chas.
Sr.
25
175
6'1"
West
17
Comerford, Frank
Sr.
23
170
6'1"
W. Catholic
19
Gallagher,
Sr.
26
185
6'2"
Newt
Chas.
John
Wm.
Colors: Blue and
Nickname: "Explorers"
Gold
Joseph's
S.
Catholic
Catholic
S.
St.
St.
Joseph's
Phila.
Thos.
More
Student Body: 1850
Manager: John
P.
Maguire
— 1863
Conducted by the Brothers of the Christian Schools
Uniforms: Navy Blue, Gold Letters for
'50
Founded
Away Games
Gold with Blue Letters for Home Games
LAST YEAR'S TEAM RECORD
LSC
OPP.
Lock Haven State Teachers
67
38
Loyola College
78
57
Brigham Young
76
54
Millersville State
Teachers
65
52
Albright
58
45
Georgia Tech
67
59
Louisville
76
71
San Francisco
45
51
Muhlenberg
73
56
Holy Cross
63
61
Loyola College
85
61
Toledo
62
51
Baldwin Wallace
49
52
Temple
36
54
Canisius
59
43
Muhlenberg
57
55
Joseph's
78
41
St.
Bowling Green
45
51
Cincinnati
42
36
Manhattan
76
46
Pennsylvania
64
44
Georgetown
62
45
Lafayette
61
37
Manhattan
53
62
North Carolina State
56
60
Gettysburg
93
60
'Cincinnati
*
'
William and Mary
Cincinnati
Invitation
Won 21— Lost
7
Tournament games
49
50
63
51
1758
1449
OUTLOOK
Wn
a "now
or
veteran
LaSalle
College
ITH
f
forward
never" attitude, a
squad
looks
meeting the toughest teams
to
the country this year with quiet op-
in
and a determination
timism
previous
top
to
all
efforts.
For three years the Explorer dribblers
have hovered
just
limelight
the
ofi
immortality
basketball
of
posted
they
as
season records of 20-6 in their freshman
year, 20-4 as sophomores, and 21-7 last
year, but
up
still
have been unable
to
come
even
though three of their victims were na(Utah, N.I.T.;
tional
tourney winners
Holy Cross, N.C.A.A., and Louisville,
champion's
a
with
laurels,
On
the credit side of the ledger,
new-
ly-appointed coach Ken Loeffler has ten
lettermen and four excellent sophomores
work with
to
year
this
has demonstrated
—a
squad
that
basketball "savvy"
its
on numerous occasions.
But the debits tend to offset
due enthusiasm.
Dick Adair
to
the
First
any un-
loss
6:05
of
and
professional baseball,
ex-captain Joe Greenberg by graduation,
eliminates
some
Second,
is
it
much-needed
height.
whether or
questionable
veteran players can absorb,
not
in
the
been
working
with them, an entirely new system after
being accustomed to a different style
time
short
Loeffler
has
play. Third, the schedule
of
country's
this
he
with
rife
teams.
has installed the same
Loeffler
man
top-notch
is
"five
screen" type of offense at LaSalle
used so effectively
to
pilot
the
St.
All-State
honors,
plus
the
National Association of College Coaches
All-Eastern selection last year, is the
first
Philadelphia college player
mark
the 1000
in intercollegiate
career total
tion
(his
also
has the distinction
is
now
Philadelphia
Convention
game
of
record
39
of
pass
to
competi-
1109)
and
holding the
Hall
points
Joseph's College, February
single
(versus
5,
St.
1949).
Although he won't be able to spend
as much time on the pivot as he did
previously,
nevertheless, rival coaches
double or triple-team him as they
can't
invariably did.
What
is
N.A.I.B.).
and
City
the
new system
surely will do
reactivate the latent ofiensive ability
such time-tested veterans, as Frank
Bill Gallagher, Jimmy Phelan,
John Gillespie, Charley Tomkins, Walt
of
Comerford,
Colman, Bob McCann, Matt Fanning and
now be called
upon to drive under more often, as well
as shoot from the outside two feats
they all are very capable of performing.
Jack Haggerty. They will
—
LaSalle fans are also looking for great
from a quartet of sophomores
things
now on
the varsity for the
6:07 John Grauer,
first
time. In
and dynamic Charley
Donnelly, Loeffler has two players who
sparked LaSalle High School to a city
championship
lacks
polish,
gressiveness
in
he
and
1948.
still
Although Grauer
has
ability
sufficient
to
spell
ag-
Larry
a smart little playunusually effective on offense
Foust.
Donnelly,
maker,
is
or defense.
Add to that Newt Jones, Philadelphia
Public League scoring champion in 1948,
Louis Bombers to western division honors
and
Basketball Association of AmerUnder this system, all five men may
move in and out of pivot position, which
is a radical change from the past three
one can realize the potential punch these
sophs carry.
the
in
ica.
years when Larry Foust, 6:09 Explorer
centerman, was sole inhabitant of the
keyhole slot.
Foust,
a
three-time
nominee
to
All-
the Philadelphia Catholic League's
top point-getter, Franny McMenamin, and
However, the question still remains to
be
answered
"Does
Loeffler
have
enough time to adequately install his
system before LaSalle meets the coun-
—
try's
powerhouses?"
E.
FRANCIS COMERFORD
No.
17
— Guard
Senior
6'1"
His teammates say Frank "gets set
while
way
running,"
still
describing
of
how
which
is
their
quickly he gets
those devastating long shots of
off
Comerford stands
short
enough
to
at 6:01,
be
both
and
fast
his.
yet
is
and
shifty.
His drives underneath usually
result
in
both a basket and a foul
conversion.
Frank was leading scorer while on
freshman team, and has averaged
the
8
points per
game. The Philadelphia
Basketball Writers Association
him "Player
3,
of the
named
Week" on January
1949 for his sterling play against
San
Francisco
season.
and
Louisville,
last
WALTER
COLMAN
L.
No. 9
— Guard
Senior
Walt
Colman,
serve, has
the
bank
dependable
a
always been
— one
like
re-
money
can count on him
in
in
any emergency.
Send
things
in
Colman, and one
develops.
quickly
opposition's high scorer
checked, or else the
enemy defense
is
is
is
two
the
immediately
weak
spot in the
pierced for a couple
of lightning-like thrusts.
player, Walt
of
Either
A good team
never out
of position,
',
defensively
either
was
All-Catholic
while playing
School.
for
or
in
offensively.
1945
and
He
1946
North Catholic High
CHARLES
No. 5
DONNELLY
F.
— Forward
Sophomore
5*11"
A newcomer
Buddy
future
to the
promises
with
Catholic
in
for
Donnelly sparked the
two
city
his
this year,
a
Explorers.
the
selection
year while playing
to
squad
have
to
great
An
All-
sophomore
LaSalle High,
Little
Explorers
championships during
his
three years on coach Charley O'Brien's
squad.
A
playmaker, Buddy can score from
outside or under
when
the opposition's
defense bottles up his teammates.
10
MATTHEW
No.
3
A.
FANNING
— Guard
Junior
5'9"
a
Matt,
Prep,
is
service
former
All-Catholic
nominee from
Joseph's
St.
a capable understudy who has had much valuable
experience
supplement
to
his
single
year
on
the
varsity.
Fanning surprised everyone with
is
in
there.
He can run
has marvelous control
shct.
the
of
his
stamina.
and keeps driving
exceptionally hard worker
full
all
He
is
40 minutes at top speed,
the ball.
He
is
also a
an
the time he
and
good outside
AERIAL VIEW OF THE LA
LA SALLE'S EIGHTY-SIX YEAR HISTORY
Undoubtedly, the spirit of LaSalle is best summed up in the school's service flag
with over 700 silver stars out of a possible 1200 living alumni, and 31 gold stars in
which men of all religious faiths are represented.
—
Although a Roman Catholic institution, the teaching order at LaSalle the Chrishas never faltered from the ideals of its founder, St. John Baptiste de
whom the college derives its names.
—
Brothers
LaSalle, after
tian
LaSalle is often described as the "Father of Modern Education" because it was
first introduced the system of one teacher instructing a number of students of
all with the same textbooks, to supplant the private tutor method which,
very nature, limited education to the wealthy.
St.
he
the
by
who
same age,
its
when LaSalle was first founded in Philadelphia, it was the aim of the
make a college education available to sons of families with modest means.
Hence,
Brothers
A
to
definite
need
in
the Brothers
and
direction existed then and does today. The foundation and
LaSalle on two different occasions is testimony on how well
educational philosophy have been accepted by the community.
that
subsequent expansion
their
of
LLE
COLLEGE CAMPUS
HIGH
>
IN
DEMOCRATIC TRADITIONS
College and faculty buildings at LaSalle's present location, Olney Avenue at 20th
were completed in June of 1929. Ground was broken for the college gymnasium
and preparatory school in May, 1927, and they were completed during the first semester
Street,
of the
school year, 1929-30.
McCarthy Stadium was completed in September, 1937, and in September of 1940,
McShaine Hall was dedicated. In August, 1947, Leonard Hall, student union building,
was opened. Benilde Hall, the newest student classroom building on the campus, was
dedicated in September of 1948.
This building program has permitted the enrollment to increase from a pre-war
high of 425 to the present total of 1850. In addition to the day school, the Evening
Division boasts of a matriculation of 750.
During World War II, without any program of military assistance, the student body
LaSalle dropped to an all-time low of 58. Only by the most demanding sacrifices
were the Christian Brothers able to keep open the doors of LaSalle College. However,
this was accomplished, and, as a direct result, over 2500 young men are pursuing a
at
college education here today.
13
LAWRENCE
No. 14
M.
EOUST
— Center
Senior
6'9"
Twenty-one year old Larry Foust, 6:09 center-
man,
playing his fourth and
is
Explorers,
the
final
year
for the
as he entered LaSalle during
insofar
NCAA
immediate post-war period when the
waived
man
the non-first year
He prepped
ruling.
South Catholic High School
at
in
Philadelphia, where his work sparked the Pirates
to
a City Championship and
and
All-Catholic
and private
public
area
was
to
now has
the
1109 points
broke
also
— 453,
of
St.
in total scoring,
and
freshman year.
255,
Philadelphia
the
College
Joseph's
Warriors)
Philadelphia
against
was a
junior year; 401, soph-
Hall record of 38 points, formerly held
Senesky
also
Philadelphia area college
first
pass the 1000 mark
omore year, and
He
He
team.
olic mile relay
player
the Philadelphia
for
1946.
in
the coveted
(best in Catholic,
on the championship South Cath-
quarter-miler
Larry
schools)
and again
1945
in
won him
All-Scholastic
Convention
by George
(now with
when he poured
in
the
39
Joseph's last season.
St.
Last year, Larry
team selected by
Association,
was named
the
and was
to
the All-Eastern
National College Coaches
also an honorable mention
Ail-American.
He has been on
the Philadelphia All-City
for his three college years,
and
junior years,
14
was on
and
the
in his
AP
team
sophomore
All-State team.
WILLIAM
No. 19
Senior
6'2"
K
Although not unusually
either
board because
he gets
A
ofi
tall,
man under
a valuable
unusual spring
of the
interceptor
is
enemy
of
among
in
was
installed
All-Catholic at
and SPORTING
American" team
little
by Ken
his legs
when
he
in
is
the
ideal
assists.
more scoring punch under
Loeffler.
St.
NEWS named
passes,
squad leaders
the
He has been showing a
new system
Inky
is
the floor.
prolific
team player, and
the
Inky
Thomas More High
him
to
their
last year.
15
School,
honorable
J.
GALLAGHER
— Forward
"All-
JOHN
No. 15
M. GILLESPIE
— Forward
Junior
6'4"
The
John
third tallest
Loeffler's
paign.
plans
for
He was
junior
and
Prep,
and
man on
prominently
figures
this
All-Catholic
won
also
coach
in
crucial
senior years at
Award, which
the squad,
the
St.
his
Joseph's
Markward
given annually
is
cam-
for
to the
most outstanding Philadelphia scholastic court star.
In
spite of very limited action last
year, John
was
ninth in
team scoring,
with 67 points.
16
JOHN
GRAUER
J.
No. 6
— Center
Sophomore
67"
Although John has
all of the
natural
assets required of a great basketball
he
player,
needs additional ex-
still
perience before a starter's berth will
be given him.
Undoubtedly, coach Ken Loeffler
use him as
an
with
edges
much
eye
having
to
knocked
will
as possible this year
off
for
the
future
rough
cam-
paigns.
John
was a teammate
of
Buddy
Donnelly's on the 1948 LaSalle High
city
championship
exceptionally
such a
tall
fine
five,
ball
and
is
an
handler
for
man.
17
JOHN
M.
HAGGERTY
No. 12
— Forward
Junior
6'
An army veteran who
takes his bas-
ketball very seriously, Jack has
playing
in
Philadelphia area just
the
ready
summer on outdoor
all
for
A
is
to
be
have ever faced.
strong, fast, aggressive
able
to
toughest of schedules
this
the Explorers
been
courts
compete
at
man, he
high
speed
throughout the game.
He
court
specializes
before
defenses.
He
on defense.
18
in
breaking
opponents can
is
down
set
up
exceptionally strong
J.
NEWTON JONES
—
Forward
Sophomore
No. 4
6'2"
Newt has demonstrated how he won
Philadelphia
the
Public League scoring championship while at Northeast High
in
his inspirational
play as a ireshman
season scrimmages with the varsity
A
forceful, driving player,
unstoppable
underneath.
His
advantage he uses so well
to
he
fine
is
last year,
this
and
in pre-
year.
a good outside shot and
faking
go under
gets
for
19
him the step
a "duck."
ROBERT
X.
McCANN
8—Guard
No.
Senior
5*8"
Dubbed
the "Houdini of the
make
ball but
ing to
it
hardwood" by one
"McCann does
phia sports writer because
Philadel-
everything with the
disappear." Ace has had the scribes scurry-
dictionaries
for
the
past three years to dig up
new
A
little
superlatives to describe his sparkling brand of play.
fighter,
he was
named
to
the All-City
and
All-State teams in
both his freshman and sophomore years.
He was a member
team
that
victories,
1943
and
compiled
and made
1944.
Was
the sensational John Bartram High
of
the
phenomenal record
also
named
the league for both years.
team leaders
in scoring.
20
of
the Philadelphia All-Public
39
team
straight
in
both
the most valuable player in
Ace has always been among
the
FRANCIS
No.
J.
McMENAMIN
11— Guard
Sophomore
511"
This
is
Franny's
first
year with the varsity, after phenolast year. Exceptional for out-
menal success with the Frosh
shooting, he is just as amazing with hooks and deep
under the boards "english" shots.
side
He won
the Philadelphia Catholic
pionship while a junior at
senior year
Franny
against
Fort
when an
broke
Dix
Roman
League scoring cham-
Catholic, but lost
operation kept him out
the
LaSalle
on January
College
20,
1949
it
in
Field
House record
when he poured
points through the nets while playing only a part of the
He
his
of the line-up.
41
game.
led the freshman team in scoring, with 312 points in 16
games.
Franny is the brother of Johnny McMenamin, St. Joseph's
College freshman coach.
21
JAMES
PHELAN
J.
No. 10
— Forward
Junior
6'
Jimmy wasn't a
starter
late in
until
the season, but his
driving play immediately captured the imagination of Phila-
delphia sports writers with the result that he accomplished
the impossible
One
of
by being named
the shortest
LaSalle High, and
was named
State Catholic teams in
Jimmy has averaged
22
8
1946
to
the All-City team!
to
members
of
the team, he
the All-Catholic
and
prepped
at
and Eastern
1947. Despite limited play,
points per game.
CHARLES
No. 16
S.
TOMKINS
— Forward
Senior
6'1"
\l
/
Charley
team
for
is
one
the live seniors
of
record of 61
wins and only
Used only
usually been
to
to
spell
sub
17
one
for the
regulars,
the
man
left
duty
has
his
outside accuracy
is
,
letter
High,
and was named
again
in '43.
23
his
open when the opposi-
especially effective.
He was a seven
the
the enviable
losses.
of
double-teams Larry Foust. Then
tion
who has been on
and has compiled
the past three years
to
man
the
at
West Philadelphia Public
All-Public
team
in
1942
and
LAST SEASONS INDIVIDUAL SCORING
POS.
GAMES
GOALS
FOULS
POINTS
Colman, Walt
G
18
9
13
31
•17
Comerford, Frank
G
28
98
51
247
f 5
Donnelly, Chas.
F
16
61
28
150
Fanning, Matt
G
22
16
5
37
C
28
177
99
453
F
28
59
37
155
*
*
9
3
•14
Foust,
•19
Gallagher,
•15
Gillespie, John
C
26
26
15
67
f 6
Grauer, John
C
15
58
39
155
•12
Haggerty, Jack
F
12
6
2
14
f 4
Jones,
F
16
56
23
135
*
McCann, Bob
G
28
65
45
175
fll
McMenamin, Fran
G
16
137
38
312
MO
Phelan, Jimmy
F
23
51
43
145
•16
Tomkins, Chas.
F
8
6
1
13
•f
*
8
Larry
Wm.
Newt
Freshman Team scoring
Returning Letterman
24
EDITORS:
use any and
For
photographs or additional material, write, wire
or
phone. LaSalle College Public Relations
Permission
all
material
is
hereby granted
contained
in
this
to
publication.
Department.
John
J.
Kelly, Director