Best Athlete From Your State, That Most Never Heard of

[Gil Dobie]

Minnesota - Hockey Great John Mayasich

Lead his HS to 4 straight State Championships (Team never lost a game 69-0)
Record 36 goals in 12 games in State Tournament
Minnesota Gophers All Time leading scorer 144 Goals 154 Assists in 111 Games
1956 USA Silver Medal Team
1960 USA Gold Medal Team
Credited with being the first to use the slap-shot
Member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame

SI Link (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1017912/index.htm)

The Gophers' coach was John Mariucci, who had played defense for the Chicago Blackhawks, and he set up an exhibition game between the Hawks and the Gophers, which Chicago won, 5-3. "John scored two goals, and I thought he was the best player on the ice," recalls Jack McCartan, who played goalie for the 1960 U.S. Olympic team and made it to the NHL for a few games with the Rangers. "There's no doubt he could have played in the NHL. He was the best American hockey player I've ever seen."

[ysubigred]

Too many to mention from Ohio.

Here's the most popular from Youngstown State.

xbowx

[Gil Dobie]

Too many to mention from Ohio.

Here's the most popular from Youngstown State.

xbowx

Had a couple Youngstown guys play for a local JUCO in Devils Lake, ND back in the late 1970's, Ed Howell and Skip Hollis. They sure were burning some sweet smelling tobacy in their dorm room. xlolx

[proasu89]

I'm a golfer so I'll go with Harvey Ward. There's a great book called "The Match" which is about the time he and Ken Venturi, both amateurs at the time, played Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson at Cypress Point. It was called the greatest money game ever. Harvey was an NCAA champion and one of only two men to win the US, British, @ Canadian Amateurs.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvie_Ward

[Eaglesrus]

Probably lots that I don't know about, but I'll nominate Savannah native Larry "Gator" Rivers, who played for the Harlem Globetrotters for thirteen years. This brings up another question; who can name any Globetrotters beside Meadowlark Lemon and "Goose" Tatum?

[Gil Dobie]

Probably lots that I don't know about, but I'll nominate Savannah native Larry "Gator" Rivers, who played for the Harlem Globetrotters for thirteen years. This brings up another question; who can name any Globetrotters beside Meadowlark Lemon and "Goose" Tatum?

...or Curley Neal or Marquis Haynes

[Eaglesrus]

...or Curley Neal or Marquis Haynes

I'm not surprised about Marques Haynes, but how did I forget Curley Neal?

[onbison09]

Minnesota - Hockey Great John Mayasich

Lead his HS to 4 straight State Championships (Team never lost a game 69-0)
Record 36 goals in 12 games in State Tournament
Minnesota Gophers All Time leading scorer 144 Goals 154 Assists in 111 Games
1956 USA Silver Medal Team
1960 USA Gold Medal Team
Credited with being the first to use the slap-shot
Member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame

SI Link (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1017912/index.htm)

The Gophers' coach was John Mariucci, who had played defense for the Chicago Blackhawks, and he set up an exhibition game between the Hawks and the Gophers, which Chicago won, 5-3. "John scored two goals, and I thought he was the best player on the ice," recalls Jack McCartan, who played goalie for the 1960 U.S. Olympic team and made it to the NHL for a few games with the Rangers. "There's no doubt he could have played in the NHL. He was the best American hockey player I've ever seen."

YES!

[onbison09]

Minnesota - Hockey Great John Mayasich

Lead his HS to 4 straight State Championships (Team never lost a game 69-0)
Record 36 goals in 12 games in State Tournament
Minnesota Gophers All Time leading scorer 144 Goals 154 Assists in 111 Games
1956 USA Silver Medal Team
1960 USA Gold Medal Team
Credited with being the first to use the slap-shot
Member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame

SI Link (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1017912/index.htm)

The Gophers' coach was John Mariucci, who had played defense for the Chicago Blackhawks, and he set up an exhibition game between the Hawks and the Gophers, which Chicago won, 5-3. "John scored two goals, and I thought he was the best player on the ice," recalls Jack McCartan, who played goalie for the 1960 U.S. Olympic team and made it to the NHL for a few games with the Rangers. "There's no doubt he could have played in the NHL. He was the best American hockey player I've ever seen."

xoutofrepx

[onbison09]

Phil Hansen?

[ysubigred]

Had a couple Youngstown guys play for a local JUCO in Devils Lake, ND back in the late 1970's, Ed Howell and Skip Hollis. They sure were burning some sweet smelling tobacy in their dorm room. xlolx

We know weed in OHIO LOL!!!

[Gil Dobie]

We know weed in OHIO LOL!!!

You're from Ohio, OH
You're from Ohio, High O ;)

[andy7171]

Some kid named Michael Phelps.

[ysubigred]

Some kid named Michael Phelps.

He knows weed also xsmiley_wix

[AshevilleApp2]

I'm not surprised about Marques Haynes, but how did I forget Curley Neal?

From Greensboro, NC.

[Gil Dobie]

I'm not surprised about Marques Haynes, but how did I forget Curley Neal?

I was a big fan of both Haynes with the Magicians in my time, and Neal.

Before my time, but Wilt Chamberlain and Connie Hawkins were Globetrotters at one time.

[AggieFinn]

Oregon:

Steve Prefontaine - USA Track & Field
Danny Ainge - NBA
Dale Murphy - MLB
Mel Renfro - NFL
Dick Fosbury - USA Track & Field
Dan O'Brien - USA Track & Field

I'd say Steve Prefontaine takes it, he's the most iconic and most inspirational of the bunch, and he was challenging for an Olympic gold at 21 years old against one of the best 5,000 m fields in Olympic history, including certain "blood dopers", it was legal at the time, yes, but was later banned. Also, was setting numerous American records from distances of 2,000 to 10,000m while in his brief prime. Revolutionized USA Track & Field distance running not only for his prowess on the track, but also for standing up to the AAU in giving Olympic hopefuls a much stronger voice on sustaining themselves financially while training for the Games. Pre also made Eugene, OR a mecca for American Track & Field.

http://www.zap2it.com/media/photo/2009-08/48982901.jpg

[Eaglesrus]

Oregon:

Steve Prefontaine - USA Track & Field
Danny Ainge - NBA
Dale Murphy - MLB
Mel Renfro - NFL
Dick Fosbury - USA Track & Field
Dan O'Brien - USA Track & Field

I'd say Steve Prefontaine takes it, he's the most iconic and most inspirational of the bunch, and he was challenging for an Olympic gold at 21 years old against one of the best 5,000 m fields in Olympic history, including certain "blood dopers", it was legal at the time, yes, but was later banned. Also, was setting numerous American records from distances of 2,000 to 10,000m while in his brief prime. Revolutionized USA Track & Field distance running not only for his prowess on the track, but also for standing up to the AAU in giving Olympic hopefuls a much stronger voice on sustaining themselves financially while training for the Games. Pre also made Eugene, OR a mecca for American Track & Field.

http://www.zap2it.com/media/photo/2009-08/48982901.jpg

But even way over here in Georgia I've heard of all of those guys.