St Louis HAWKS FIFTY YEARS LATER Continuation

Photo on top left is of Harry Gallitin former coach at Southern Ill. Carbondale. In the NBA he was a star player for the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons. Harry later became a coach of the New York Knicks and of course he played and coached our Hawks. In addition he is a member of the basketball hall of fame.

The second photo is of Charles Share who was the center for many years and played at six foot eleven.{ I am in beige coat} Charles played for the Hawks first in Milwaukee and then in St Louis for a total of seven years. I think you could sum up his career this way ' he was not a star BUT was a very valuable player"

In the center of the third photo is Buddy Blattner a man who had many careers that he starred in. He was a former world champion table tennis player, a major league second baseman, announcer on major league baseball Game of the week with Dizzy Dean. When he began announcing Hawk games he had never before announced a basketball game. He went on to announce over 800 Hawks games. When he left the Hawks it was to become baseball announcer for the Los Angeles Angels. Buddy returned to Missouri when he retired.

The very poor long photo is of Bob Costas. Bob was an unexpected guest thus not at head table but he gave an improntu talk.

The evening with the Hawks was one of my top sports thrills of a lifetime of sports. I describe my self as a guy who likes all sports BUT I love baseball and basketball.