Lenny Rzeszewski

Clemens L. "Lenny" Rzeszewski (November 6, 1923 – November 7, 2013) was an American college basketball player and, later, a high school coach. He also coached Baseball at South Bend LaSalle and in 1984 they were rated number 1 going into sectional play.

High school career[]

Lenny Rzeszewski attended South Bend Central High School in South Bend, Indiana where he played for John Wooden. In 1941, his senior year, he and Jim Powers led the Bears^[tone] to the state semifinals (Final Eight) in the IHSAA State Tournament where they fell to Gary Froebel High School by one point.

College career[]

After high school, Lenny attended Indiana State University, located in Terre Haute, Indiana. He played basketball under head coach John Wooden and John Longfellow; he finished his career with 1,175 points. He helped lead the Sycamores to three consecutive IIC Championships and three NAIB (now NAIA) Tournaments. He was a member of the "South Bend Shuttle," as he and four fellow South Bend products — Jim Powers, Dan Dimich, Bob Brady and Bill Jagodzinski all played at Indiana State. These players led the Sycamores to a record of 95-31 (.754); a 30-4 (.882) in IIC play, including 4 conference titles, the 1950 NAIB National Title; the 1948 NAIB National Title-game and the 1949 NAIB National Title-final four during their four seasons of varsity play. In 1950, his senior season, Lenny led the Sycamores to the NAIB National Title; he was named the Chuck Taylor Award winner and to the All-Tourney team as the Sycamores clinched the National Title.^[1]

Post-college[]

Rzeszewski was selected as the 40th overall pick in the fourth round of the 1950 NBA Draft by the Fort Wayne Pistons. He did not appear in a game but returned to in his hometown and embarked on a successful high school coaching career in basketball, baseball and cross-country. He was the head coach at South Bend James Whitcomb Riley High from 1958-1964 where he amassed a record of 52-77. Coach Rzeszewski was also a successful Baseball Coach at South Bend LaSalle for several years and in 1984 they were ranked number 1 heading into sectional play.^[2]

References[]

External links[]

• Indiana Hall of Fame profile
• Indiana State University Hall of Fame profile