Jack Eskridge

John Wallace Eskridge[1] (January 21, 1924 – February 11, 2013) was an American professional basketball player. He spent one season in the Basketball Association of America (BAA) as a member of the Chicago Stags and the Indianapolis Jets (1948–49). He is also memorable for being the person who recruited basketball great Wilt Chamberlain to the University of Kansas, and for being the designer of the "star" logo of the Dallas Cowboys professional football team in the NFL.

Jack Eskridge
Personal information
Born(1924-01-21)January 21, 1924
Independence, Missouri
DiedFebruary 11, 2013(2013-02-11) (aged 89)
Independence, Missouri
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High schoolWilliam Chrisman
(Independence, Missouri)
College
BAA draft1948 / Undrafted
Playing career1948–1949
PositionCenter / Forward
Number30, 70
Coaching career1954–1959
Career history
As player:
1948Chicago Stags
1948–1949Indianapolis Jets
As coach:
1954–1959Kansas (assistant)
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com

Early years

Eskridge was born on January 21, 1924, in Independence, Missouri. He attended William Chrisman High School where he played on the school's basketball team. After graduating high school he began attending Graceland University where he played on the football and basketball teams. He was later inducted into the college's athletic hall of fame. He joined the United States Marine Corps during World War II where he served in the Pacific Theater. During the war he was involved in the battle of Iwo Jima and witnessed both flag raisings.

University and professional athletics
Eskridge is credited with designing the Dallas Cowboys logo.

After Eskridge was relieved of duty he started attending the University of Kansas and played on the school's basketball team. Once his professional playing career was over he coached the Atchison High School (Kansas) basketball team to a state championship before he joined the Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team as their equipment manager and assistant coach under Phog Allen from 1954 to 1959. During his tenure, he recruited Wilt Chamberlain.

In 1959, Eskridge joined the Dallas Cowboys football team as their equipment manager. He was credited with designing the Cowboys' star logo.

Later years

After Eskridge's career with Dallas he moved to Independence, Missouri, where he coached basketball and taught high school for over 20 years. Eskridge died in Independence on February 11, 2013, at the age of 88.[1][2]

BAA career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played  FG%  Field-goal percentage
 FT%  Free-throw percentage  APG  Assists per game
 PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season
Year Team GP FG% FT% APG PPG
1948–49 Chicago 3.000.000.0.0
1948–49 Indianapolis 20.362.700.73.2
Career 23.362.700.62.8

See also

References
  1. "John "Jack" Wallace Eskridge Obituary". Carson-Speaks Chapel. obitsforlife.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  2. Dodd, Rustin (February 13, 2013). "Eskridge, former KU basketball assistant and KC native, dies at 89". kansascity.com. Lawrence, Missouri: The Kansas City Star. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
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