Pick Dehner

Louis "Pick" Dehner, sometimes stylized as "Lewis," (August 29, 1914 – April 7, 1987) was an American basketball player and high school coach. He was an All-American player at the University of Illinois, played professionally in the United States National Basketball League, and won over 500 games as the coach for East St. Louis High School in Illinois.

Pick Dehner
From The Illio, 1939
Personal information
Born(1914-08-29)August 29, 1914
Lincoln, Illinois
DiedApril 7, 1987(1987-04-07) (aged 72)
Belleville, Illinois
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Career information
High schoolLincoln (Lincoln, Illinois)
CollegeIllinois (1934–1935, 1937–1939)
PositionForward / Center
Coaching career1942–1974
Career history
As player:
1938–1939Hammond Ciesar All-Americans
As coach:
1942–1974East St. Louis HS
Career highlights and awards

Dehner was born and raised in Lincoln, Illinois. A 6'4" forward/center, he played for Illinois in the 1934–35 season, then returned to play for the Illini from 1937 to 1939. He was a two-time All-American for the Illini, and scored a then-record 25 points at Madison Square Garden on December 27, 1938.[1] Following graduation, he played professionally for the Hammond Ciesar All-Americans of the National Basketball League (NBL), a forerunner to today's National Basketball Association.

Following the close of his professional career, Dehner became a highly successful high school coach. From 1942 until 1974, Dehner was head boys' basketball coach for East St. Louis High School, compiling a record of 549–350. In 1973, he was named to the Illinois Basketball Coaches inaugural Hall of Fame class.[1]

Dehner died on April 7, 1987, of pancreatic cancer at the age of 72.[2]

References
  1. "Happy 40th, Coach Dancer!". The News-Gazette. August 28, 2010. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  2. "'Pick' Dehner dies at 72". Alton Telegraph. April 9, 1987. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
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