Jack Eskridge

Jack Eskridge
Personal information
Born (1924-01-21)January 21, 1924
Independence, Missouri
Died February 11, 2013(2013-02-11) (aged 89)
Independence, Missouri
Nationality American
Listed height 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight 200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school William Chrisman
(Independence, Missouri)
College Graceland (1941–1943)
Kansas (1946–1948)
BAA draft 1948 / Undrafted
Playing career 1948–1949
Position Center / Forward
Number 30, 70
Coaching career 1954–1959
Career history
As player:
1948 Chicago Stags
1948–1949 Indianapolis Jets
As coach:
1954–1959 Kansas (assistant)

John Wallace "Jack" 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.

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 1954–59. 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. 1 2 "John "Jack" Wallace Eskridge Obituary". Carson-Speaks Chapel. obitsforlife.com. Archived from the original on 13 January 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  2. ↑ Dodd, Rustin (13 February 2013). "Eskridge, former KU basketball assistant and KC native, dies at 89". kansascity.com. Lawrence, Missouri: The Kansas City Star. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.