Bob Gale (basketball)

Robert W. Gale (April 22, 1925 – May 29, 1975) was an American basketball player. He was an All-American college player at Cornell and a first-round pick in the 1948 BAA draft.

Bob Gale
Personal information
Born(1925-04-22)April 22, 1925
Queens, New York
DiedMay 29, 1975(1975-05-29) (aged 50)
Skokie, Illinois
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Career information
High schoolAndrew Jackson (Queens, New York)
College
BAA draft1948 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7th overall
Selected by the St. Louis Bombers
PositionCenter
Career highlights and awards

Gale went to Andrew Jackson High School in New York City and came to Cornell in 1943 as part of a Naval training program. Due to the shortage of college-aged players brought about by World War II, Gale was one of many freshmen nationwide who were allowed to play despite NCAA eligibility rules of the day. He quickly captured the starting center spot for the Big Red.[1] At the close of the season he was named to the All-Eastern Intercollegiate League team.[2] Following the regular season, Gale's V-12 training program moved him to conference rival Dartmouth. Dartmouth had won the Eastern Intercollegiate Basketball League but had lost seven of its top ten players to military service. Gale was added as was Haggerty Award winner Dick McGuire from St. John's.[3] The two newcomers joined All-American Aud Brindley to lead the Indians all the way to the national championship game, which they lost to Utah in overtime. Gale had a memorable performance in the team's opening game against Catholic University, leading Dartmouth in scoring with 17 points.[4]

After two years serving in the U.S. Navy, Gale returned to Cornell in 1946 to continue his college career and was named captain of the team.[5][6] However, he sustained a knee injury that caused him to miss the majority of the season.[7] Gale returned to the hardwood for the 1947–48 season and was again named captain.[8] Gale was again named to the all-conference first team and was named a second-team All-American by the Helms Athletic Foundation.[9] Following the season, Gale was named to the East squad of the college All-Star game.[10]

Following his college career, Gale was drafted by the St. Louis Bombers in the 1948 BAA draft, however he never played in the Basketball Association of America (BAA) or the NBA. He played briefly for the New York Athletic Club and various barnstorming teams before entering business in 1950 with the Gold Seal Company. He was with the company for 25 years before dying unexpectedly due to a heart attack at age 50 on May 29, 1975 on a business trip in Skokie, Illinois.[11][12]

References
  1. "Cornell's center". Casper Star-Tribune. January 20, 1944. p. 6. Retrieved July 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Gale selected on All-Star quintet". The Ithaca Journal. February 28, 1944. p. 9. Retrieved July 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Dartmouth Indians rebuilding for NCAA tourney". The Burlington Free Press. March 7, 1944. p. 8. Retrieved July 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Gale sparks Dartmouth to cage win". The Ithaca Journal. March 25, 1944. p. 5. Retrieved July 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "The Sport Tower". The Ithaca Journal. March 25, 1944. p. 5. Retrieved July 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Gale named captain of Cornell cagemen". The Evening Times. December 9, 1946. p. 9. Retrieved July 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Cornell loses Gale". New York Daily News. January 16, 1947. p. 452. Retrieved July 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Bob Gale re-elected captain of Big Red". The Ithaca Journal. December 6, 1947. p. 8. Retrieved July 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Stars awarded medals". The Ithaca Journal. April 27, 1948. p. 11. Retrieved July 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Bob Gale among selections for all-East quintet". The Post-Standard. March 11, 1948. p. 14. Retrieved July 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Robert W. Gale of Gold Seal Co". The Bismarck Tribune. May 30, 1975. p. 9. Retrieved July 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Obituary for Robert W. Gale (50)". Daily Record. June 1, 1975. p. 2. Retrieved July 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
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