Salem Trailblazers
The Salem Trailblazers were an American professional basketball team located in Salem, Oregon who played in the Pacific Coast Professional Basketball League (PCPBL) during the 1946–47 season. The Trailblazers used the Salem Armory as their home court.
On December 22, 1946, the Bellingham Fircrests sold guard Don Stitt to Salem.[1] In January 1947, the Trailblazers only played one game in Salem and by February they abandoned the city as their home and became a traveling team. Low attendance was cited as the reason for the change.[2][3] Len Yandle was the head coach of the team until he was replaced by Frank Shone, who eventually resigned the position. The team finished their home games in Mt. Angel, Oregon at the Mount Angel Abbey.[4] The Trailblazers were owned by Dan Hay who struggled throughout the season to pay investors and outstanding bills. After the season, he merged his team with the Spokane team, becoming the Spokane Blazers.[5] The team folded three weeks after the merger.[6]
Roster[edit]
- Ernie Maskovitch
- O'Brink, guard
- Stretch Osterhaus, center
- Don Stitt, guard
- Len Yandle player-coach from the University of Oregon
- John Kolb, guard[7]
- Johnson
- Stroyan
- Gray
- Teyama
- Anton
- Vaughn
References[edit]
- ^ "Stitt Sold". The Capital Journal. Salem, Oregon. 23 December 1946. p. 8. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
- ^ "Rovers". The Capital Journal. Salem, Oregon. 1 January 1947. p. 5. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
- ^ "Shakeup hits Trailblazers club". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. 31 January 1947. p. 76.
- ^ "'Blazers quit Salem court". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. 28 January 1947. p. 28.
- ^ "Players; Prevented from "jumping" teams". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. 23 February 1947. p. 76.
- ^ Chris, Kowitz. "Kriss Kross". The Capital Journal. Salem, Oregon. p. 9. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
- ^ "Fircrests Top Salem Again; Home Opener Thursday Night". Statesman Journal. Salem, Oregon. 4 December 1946. p. 8. Retrieved 17 April 2021.