Lenox Merchants | |
---|---|
Founded | 1949 |
Dissolved | 1959 |
Location | Lenox, Massachusetts |
Lenox Merchants were an American semi-professional basketball team based in Lenox, Massachusetts. Founded in 1949 by William "Butch" Gregory, it regularly played exhibition games against NBA teams. During the 1954–1955 season, the Merchants beat the soon-to-be NBA champions, the Syracuse Nationals, twice, and scored victories against the Minneapolis Lakers and the Milwaukee Hawks.
Notable players
- Glenn Bissell
- Tom Brennan
- John Burke
- Gerald Calabrese
- Fred Diute
- George Feigenbaum
- Ray Felix
- Billy Harrell
- Bob Knight
- Francis Mahoney
- Al McGuire
- Boris Nachamkin
- Ronnie Shavlik
- Zeke Sinicola
- Dick Surhoff
- Skippy Whitaker
References
- Derek Gentile (2 July 1998). "Lenox Merchants founder Butch Gregory has died". The Berkshire Eagle. pp. B1–B2. Retrieved 31 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- Garry Brown (23 October 2021). "NBA once got a toehold in the Berkshires". The Republican. Retrieved 31 December 2022.(subscription required)
- Derek Gentile (25 February 2016). "Lenox hoopsters of the '50s as good as pros — really". The Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
- ^ Garry Brown (6 March 2015). "Earl Lloyd's passing stirs memories of NBA teams losing to the Lenox Merchants". The Republican. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
- Ernie Roberts (5 June 1959). "New B.U. coach faces tough task". The Boston Globe. p. 39. Retrieved 31 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Ex-Merchant named coach". The Berkshire Eagle. 8 June 1959. p. 22. Retrieved 31 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- Roger O'Gara (9 December 1959). "Fair or Foul". The Berkshire Eagle. p. 38. Retrieved 31 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- Roger O'Gara (21 October 1954). "Ray Felix, giant center, to play for Merchants against Celtics tonight". The Berkshire Eagle. p. 14. Retrieved 31 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Harrell to be given day sunday afternoon at Armory". The Berkshire Eagle. 5 March 1954. p. 20. Retrieved 31 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- Roger O'Gara (8 March 1954). "Harrell stars on his day in leading Merchants to 93-84 win over Rens". The Berkshire Eagle. p. 16. Retrieved 31 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Roger O'Gara (16 November 1955). "Fair or Foul". The Berkshire Eagle. p. 34. Retrieved 31 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- Roger O'Gara (17 December 1954). "Merchants beat Milwaukee 98-86; Gregory ponders when to resume". The Berkshire Eagle. p. 16. Retrieved 31 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1949 establishments in Massachusetts
- 1959 disestablishments in Massachusetts
- Basketball teams established in 1949
- Basketball teams disestablished in 1959
- Basketball teams in Massachusetts
- Defunct basketball teams in the United States
- Lenox, Massachusetts
- Sports clubs and teams in Berkshire County, Massachusetts