Jackie Goldsmith (D. 1968 at age 47) starred at Jefferson High School in Brooklyn and the Union Temple in the late 1930’s before entering the U.S. Army during World War II. Following the war, he joined Long Island University’s basketball team in the fall of 1945. LIU finished 14-9 and Goldsmith was named Helms second team All-America and first team All-Metropolitan, leading LIU and the New York Metropolitan area in scoring. with 395 points (17.2 average). During the year, he set LIU game and season scoring records. Famed LIU coach, Clair Bee, called Goldsmith the best set shooter in all of college basketball. Goldsmith played professional basketball during the 1947-48 season appearing with Toledo Jeeps in the National Basketball League , Portland Indians of the Pacific Coast Basketball League, and Broklyn Gothams of the ABL. Goldsmith retired at the end of the season to concentrate on his other sports’ interest – illegal gambling and point shaving of college basketball games. Over the next six years, Goldsmith was heavily involved in the point-shaving scandals that rocked college basketball in the late 40’s and early 50’s. He had his hand in a large portion of the 86 known fixed games that included schools like LIU, CCNY, NYU, Bradley and Kentucky. He was arrested in April 21, 1951, and after a year of not cooperating, he finally pleaded guilty in May of 1952 to bribery charges., and that July was sentenced to 2 1/2 to five years in prison.
Dick Holub (D. 2009) A 6'6" center born in Racine, Wisconsin,Holub played college basketball at Long Island University, and was a member of an NIT championship team in 1941. His college career was interrupted by a stint with the Air Force during World War II, but he returned to school in 1946, and led his team in scoring during the 1946−47 season. After being drafted by the New York Knicks in the 1947 BAA draft, Holub spent the 1947–48 season with the team and also played for the Paterson Crescents, Bridgeport Roesslers, and Middletown Guard. He would coach for 17 years at Fairleigh Dickinson.
Nat Miller (who would play for the 1949/50/51) Wallingford Verterans of the EBL)
Ed Kassler (d. 2011) While playing at LIU, Kassler played pro basketball in the New York State League under the name "Artie Edwards." When Coach Bee found out about this in March of 1947, he was kicked off the team permanently. He also played for several teams in the ABL including: Jersey City, Paterson, and Scranton. Also played in the EBL with Bridgeport.
Bob Smith (D. 2014) The 6'5, 200-pound Smith attended LIU but entered the Marines after in 1943, training at Muhlenberg College. He served in World War 2, and after the war, made his way back to LIU, where he was the basketball team captain. He was there during the point-shaving scandal, and when two of the crooked players, Eddie Gard and Nate Miller, approached Coach Bee asking Smith be benched, Bee knew something odd was up. Smith was a hard-nosed leader and definitely not one gamblers would approach to fix games, and Gard and Miller knew their point-shaving task would be made easier without the skilled Smith on the court. Bee met with Smith and they began to piece together what was happening. Smith graduated that year and played a season with the Paterson Crescents.Vince Verdeschi (D. 1965 at age 40 from a heart attack) 1947-48 Bridgeport Springwoods (EBL-Ct)
1947-48 Mohawk Indians (NYSL)
1947-48 Pottsville Packers (EPBL)
1947-48 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1948-49 Mohawk Indians (NYSL)
1948-49 New Haven Hulls Red Devils (EBL-Ct)
1948-49 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1949-50 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1950-51 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1952-53 Scranton Miners (ABL)
We offer a government postcard that has been postmarked from Brooklyn, NY in January 1947.
Historic signed piece from one of the Country’s best college basketball team that was caught up in the Point Shaving Scandal that rocked college basketball in the late 40’s – early 50’s..
RARE and one of a kind!!!
Item: 13024
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