Leroy Edwards
- Life After Basketball -

After retiring from basketball, Edwards eventually moved to Indianapolis to work at a Chrysler plant as an automobile assembler.

Leroy Edwards (back left) talks with Toastmaster Lloyd Larson. Seated are Doug Hoffmann (co-originator of the reunion event) and Miss Wisconsin of 1960, Mary Alice Fox
In 1960, the Oshkosh All-Stars and their arch-rival the Sheboygan Redskins held a reunion in Sheboygan. Many of the former greats on both sides of the rivalry attended including Rube Lautenschlager, Ed Dancker, the Posewirtz's, Marko Todorovich among others for the Redskins. Herm Witasek, Lou Barle, Fred Rehm and Charlie Shipp (who was on crutches and did not play) were some of the players representing the All-Stars. In total, twenty former Redskins and sixteen former All-Stars suited up for the exhibition game. Although their basketball skills were rusty, all had a great time.

After the game, an appreciation banquet was held at Hoffmann's where all participating players received a silver bowl.

Prior to the reunion, there was hoopla from the Sheboygan media at the news that Edwards would be attending. Below is an article in the January 29, 1960 Sheboygan Press.

Lefty Edwards-Ed Dancker 'Duel' In Offing At Redskin Tilt Sunday

Lefty's coming!

The man Redskin basketball fans feared, jeered and respected more than any other has written The Press personally confirming the fact that he will definitely be in the Armory Sunday afternoon when stars of yesteryear from Oshkosh and Sheboygan pro teams gather for their widely-heralded "reunion game." It would, of course, be Leroy (Lefty) Edwards -- the Cowboy!

Because his letter sounds so much like the former under-the-boards muscle man, fans might get a kick out of reading it:

    "I finally made arrangements so that I can make it to Sheboygan Saturday evening. I have not played or had a hold of a basketball in 12 years. Maybe you and I can practice a little Saturday night if you're not busy !

    "I heard from Peeper (sports editor Bob Stevenson) at Marshfield and he told me he was comng over Sunday. I saw Charley Shipp at the Old Timers' banquet and he said he was coming up there also.

    "I was talking to Mollenkopt of Purdue Monday evening. Say, what happened to Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl ?

    "The reason I did not pick an all-star team from Sheboygan was that at one time or other they all played great against us and I thought that they were all good but I always enjoyed playing against them. Dancker, Suesens, Lautenschlager - but heck, they were all tough. I'll be glad to see you all.

    "You know why I say they're tough -- Sheboygan, I mean ! On time they started their second team and beat us. Were we surprised !

    "P.S. -- What did you think when Rupp said I was the toughest soph in college. Amazing. Tell everybody hello."

Edwards, at one time at Kentucky under Adolph Rupp and now a union steward in an Indianapolis Chrysler plant, has said by phone last month that he was anxious to come and was sure he would be - but there had always been a lurking wonder about the onetime powerhouse. Now the prospect of a duel between him and Eddie Dancker should provoke plenty of chuckles as the two big men jockey for positions as in the old days. Dancker has reportedly worked out somewhat.

In his day, Edwards scored 3,235 points in 12 National Basketball Leaue seasons, winning the scoring title three times. In a fan poll at Oshkosh, he has received 98 votes as compared with Bob Carpenter's 68, Charley Shipp's 64, Herm Witasek's 59 and Gene Englund's 51. Others high in the Oshkosh poll include Augie Vander Muellen, Ralph Vaughn, Glen Selbo, Floyd Volker, Ed Mullen, Eddie Riska, Lou Barle, Bill McDonald, Fred Hackbarth, Clint Wager and Bob Feerick. Most will be here for the Sunday outing.

The Stars will suit up in specially-bought red shirts and pants, the Redskins in white uniforms.

Gametime is 2:30 with a crowd of over 2,500 expected to be on hand, ticket requests having come in from many state cities and leaving less than a thousand seats left, mostly in the balcony. Fifty-five former Oshkosh and Sheboygan players are expected to be on hand for the game and subsequent banquet.

Another article leading up to the reunion was written in the Oshkosh Northwestern December 24, 1959. In the piece, called "From the Sidelines" by Wally Hardins (?), it mentions how Edwards was regarded by fans and others.

From the Sidelines

The opening "reunion" game between the Oshkosh All Stars and the Sheboygan Resdkins has created tremendous interest and has brought up a discussion concerning who was the best center in the old NBL.

There are those who believe Oshkosh's Lefty Edwards was the best. And they are quick to point out that it was too bad Edwards was in the twilight of his career when George Mikan was a comparative newcomer in the pro ranks.

All Star fans will compare Edwards with other centers and Kentuckians now are comparing him with Jerry Lucas, the heralded Ohio State sophomore.

Edwards was a whiz as a sophomore for Kentucky in 1935 and was named the basktball player of the year. Two more years of greatness were ahead of him in collegiate ranks, but he turned pro with Oshkosh.

Mikan, the prolific scorer, said Edwards was the best player he ever faced. That's a lofty tribute. Edwards had it all over Mikan under the boards, many claim.

Dave Lawrence, now dean of men at the University of Louisville and an all-conference player at Kentucky during Edwards' big year, said he would hesitate to compare players of two different ages. But he did say that Edwards was the Jerry Lucas or Oscar Robertson or Jerry West of his time. "He 'Edwards' could do anything. A fellow scoring 25 or 30 points in those days had to be good." said Lawrence.

A former Indianapolis sports scribe who went to Louisville recently interviewed Edwards, who cautioned players not to quit school, "no matter how tempting pro offers might be, I wish I had stayed in school. I might have been coaching."

Edwards stated that too much time is devoted to shooting these days instead of good defense and sound fundamentals.

With Lucas and Ohio State coming to Kentucky next week, a Louisville sportswriter was prompted to write: "How Coach Adolph Rupp would like to use those last two years of Edwards' eligibility."

Edwards is expected to join former All Star teammates for that game in Sheboygan Jan. 31 against the former Redskins.

Lefty had a fabulous career with the All Stars. he was the National Basketball League scoring champ in 1937-38 with 209 points in 13 games. He repeated in 1938-39 with 334 in 28 games. And he did it again in 1939-40 with 362 pionts in 28 games.

In 1940-41, he slipped to ninth, but climbed to third the following season. He was sixth in 1942-43, eighth in 1943-44, fourth in 1944-45, fifth in 1945-46 and then dropped out of the top 10.

From 1937 to 1949, Edwards piled up 3,235 points for the All Stars in regular league play. In his last season with the Oshkosh team he played in 10 games and scored 15 points.


from Oshkosh Northwestern January 27, 1960
In coordination with the reunion game with the Sheboygan Redskins, the Oshkosh Northwestern polled fans to determine the all-time Oshkosh All-Star team.

Lefty Edwards led the voting with 113 votes, far and away above any other player. Noted the paper: "Edwards was named on the most ballots - 113 - and was the early leader in the voting. During his days with the All Stars, Lefty three times was the league scoring champion and scored 3,235 points in loop play.

Second in vote totals was Bob Carpenter with 79 votes followed by Charley Shipp with 72. Rounding out the start five were Herm Witasek with 66 votes and Gene Englund with 59.


Below is a letter from a co-worker (Bailey League) at Chrysler who gives an account of Edwards after his career was over. Edwards agreed to become coach of the local amateur squad, and helped them to the city championship.

Wrote League, "Would you believe, under Leroy's shrewd coaching and finesse, we won "AA" Championship of the City. I think Leroy was a little shocked himself, but very happy. . . I have been told a numerous amount of times that Leroy Edwards was to Basketball what Babe Ruth was to Baseball. I personally believe within my heart, it all to be true."

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