George "Chuck" Karmarkovich (March 17, 1927 – January 11, 1951) was an American basketball player. He played college basketball for Waynesburg University where he scored 1,111 points from 1947 to 1950 and was a three time All-State.[2][3][4] Following his college career, he played for the Altoona Flyers in the All-American Basketball League (AABL) in 1950. After receiving a trial with Baltimore Bullets of the National Basketball Association, he played for the Johnstown Clippers of the AABL.[5]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 1, 1927 |
| Died | January 11, 1951 (aged 23) Johnstown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Listed weight | 176 lb (80 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Franklin Borough[1] (Franklin, Pennsylvania) |
| College | Waynesburg (1947–1950) |
| Playing career | 1950–1951 |
| Position | Forward / center |
| Career history | |
| 1950 | Altoona Flyers |
| 1950–1951 | Johnstown Clippers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Karmarkovich died on January 11, 1951, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident a day earlier. The accident occurred when the car that Karmarkovich was a passenger in, and driven by the Clippers' coach Nat Hickey, skidded on ice, and struck another car.[6] Karmarkovich was taken to Memorial Hospital in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he died of a fractured skull and internal injuries.[7] As a result of his death, the Clippers were disbanded and Hickey stepped away from basketball for good.[8][9][10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Karmarkovich 'Player of Week'". The Pittsburgh Press. 9 February 1948. p. 18. Retrieved 31 May 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Waynesburg player on State Five". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. 19 March 1948. pp. 22, 24. Retrieved 31 May 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Karmarkovich gains first team on State College court squad". Altoona Tribune. 15 March 1950. p. 6. Retrieved 31 May 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Karmarkovich dies in crash". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 12 January 1951. p. 18. Retrieved 31 May 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "'Chuck' Karmarkovich dies". The Cumberland News. 12 January 1951. p. 13. Retrieved 31 May 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Chuck Karmarkovich dies of auto crash injuries". Altoona Tribune. 12 January 1951. p. 9. Retrieved 31 May 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Former Waynesburg Star Athlete Dies In Auto Accident". The Daily Notes. January 12, 1951. p. 6. Retrieved November 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ J. Suter Kegg (16 January 1951). "Karmarkovich death may cause Hickey to quit game". Cumberland Evening Times. p. 15. Retrieved 31 May 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Drivers Exonerated In Highway Death of George Karmarkovich". The Cumberland News. 9 March 1951. Retrieved 31 May 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Johnstown Clippers Disbanded After Death of Karmarkovich; Joll Escapes Auto Injury". The Indiana Gazette. 12 January 1951. p. 15. Retrieved 31 May 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
