Don Shields

Don Shields
Personal information
Born(1914-09-19)September 19, 1914
Oklahoma, U.S.
DiedMarch 30, 1993(1993-03-30) (aged 78)
Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Career information
CollegeTemple (1935–1938)
PositionForward
Career highlights and awards
  • NIT champion (1938)
  • NIT Most Valuable Player (1938)

Don Shields (September 19, 1914 - March 30, 1993)[1] was an American college basketball player for the Temple Owls men's basketball team. He was also a professional basketball player for the Phillips 66ers, and later became a head coach for the Tulsa Golden Hurricane men's basketball team, and an NCAA referee.

College career

Shields was a college basketball player for the Temple Owls men's basketball team under coach James Usilton from 1935 to 1938. He was nicknamed the 'spectacular splinter', and in 1938 led the Owls to victory in the inaugural NIT (National Invitation Tournament) championship game.[2] He was voted as the 'most valuable player' of the tournament, and in 1969 was inducted into the Temple basketball Hall of Fame. During his tenure, Shields achieved All-American honors in 35-36', and again in 37-38', and his Owls compiled a record of 58-14.[3]

Professional career

Phillips 66ers

After college, Shields played with the Phillips 66ers (also known as the Phillips Oilers; from Bartlesville, Oklahoma) of the Amateur Athletic Union and the National Industrial Basketball League. His squad won the National AAU Championship in 1940 and 1942.[4]

Coaching career

Tulsa Golden Hurricanes

In 1945 through 1947, Don Shields coached the Tulsa Golden Hurricane men's basketball team.[5]

Head coaching record

Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Tulsa Golden Hurricane (Missouri Valley Conference) (1945–1947)
1945–46 Tulsa 6–12 3–9 7th
1946–47 Tulsa 5–19 3–9 T–5th
Tulsa: 11–31 (.262)
Total: 11–31 (.262)

[6]

Later career

Shields later became a college basketball referee and officiated in an NCAA tournament Final four game. He was also the general manager at Mid-Continent Pipeline Co. (which would later be known as Sun Oil Co. and which eventually would become Sunoco.) [4]

Don Shields died on March 30, 1993.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Person Details for Donald M Shields, "United States Social Security Death Index" —". Familysearch.org. Retrieved 2013-10-29.
  2. ^ "Don Shields; Basketball Player, 78 - New York Times". Nytimes.com. 1993-04-01. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
  3. ^ "Temple University Athletics - Hall of Fame". Owlsports.com. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
  4. ^ a b c "Don Shields, 78, Hoop Star At Temple - Philly.com". Articles.philly.com. 2011-12-28. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
  5. ^ "Basketball" (PDF). Lib.utulsa.edu. Retrieved 2013-10-29.
  6. ^ "Don Shields". NCAA statistics. Retrieved January 15, 2024.