Page 4 - The History of Lafayette Area Boys Basketball

Dick Atha

High School: Otterbein (1949) College: Indiana State (1957) Induction: 1988
1. 4-year Varsity player for the Otterbein Red Devils, before playing basketball @
Indiana State.
2. Played on the 1951 USA team that won the Gold Medal @ the Pan-American
Games.
3. Played professionally for the New York Knicks & Detroit Pistons.
4. Head Coach for 10 seasons @ Oxford, before moving in the roles of Principial & Athletic Director @ Benton
Central.

Dick Baumgartner

High School: LaPorte (1949) College: Indiana (1955) Induction: 1997
1. Earned 3 Varsity letters in basketball @ LaPorte & 2 @ Indiana University.
2. 20 years as a Varsity Coach @ Crawfordsville & Richmond. Led the 1958
Athenians to a state runner-up finish.
3. Career coaching record of 350-135, including 17 Sectionals, 9 Regionals, 1
Semi-State, & 4 NCC titles.
4. Founder of the Dick Baumgartner Shooting Camps.

Denny Blind

High School: Lafayette Jeff (1951) College: Purdue (1955) Induction: 1992
1. All-State basketball player @ Lafayette Jeff & was named to the 1951 Indiana
All-Star Team.
2. Played basketball @ Purdue, being named team MVP in 1954.
3. Head Coach @ Attica, before returning to Lafayette Jeff where he served in
various administrative roles until his retirement.
4. Auxiliary Gym @ Lafayette Jeff is named in his honor.

Charlie Bowerman

High School: Alamo (1957) College: Wabash (1961) Induction: 1995
1. 3-year lettermen @ Alamo, having played for his dad Tom Bowerman.
2. 3-year basketball team MVP @ Wabash College.
3. Led the Little Giants to the NCAA College Division Regional tournament
4. Played 3 years for Phillips 66ers AAU team
5. Played in the 1963 World Games for Team USA that toured the Soviet Union.

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