Lenny Rzeszewski
Personal information | |
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Born | South Bend, Indiana | November 6, 1923
Died | November 7, 2013 New Carlisle, Indiana | (aged 90)
Nationality | American |
Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
Listed weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | South Bend Central (South Bend, Indiana) |
College | Indiana State (1946–1950) |
NBA draft | 1950 / Round: 4 / Pick: 40th overall |
Selected by the Fort Wayne Pistons | |
Position | Guard |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
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[]
- 1923 births
- 2013 deaths
- Basketball players from South Bend, Indiana
- Fort Wayne Pistons draft picks
- Guards (basketball)
- High school baseball coaches in the United States
- High school basketball coaches in the United States
- Indiana State Sycamores men's basketball players
- Sportspeople from South Bend, Indiana
- American men's basketball players