TERRE HAUTE —
In 10 years, Clyde Lovellette was transformed from an awkward, self-conscious seventh-grader at McLean Junior High School in Terre Haute to the most dominant basketball player in college annals.
Born Sept. 7, 1929, in Petersburg, Ind., he was the youngest of John and Myrtle Lovellette’s eight children. When Clyde was born, his father was a fireman for the New York Central Railroad. John Lovellette became an engineer soon after the family relocated to 2400 N. 15th St. in Terre Haute in 1932.
Clyde attended Albert Lange Elementary School and McLean Junior High School. Despite pleas by basketball coach Phil Cartwright, Clyde did not try out for the seventh-grade team because he was embarrassed by what he perceived to be “his skinny legs in baggy shorts.”
During the summer before entering the eighth grade, Clyde succumbed to Cartwright’s appeals. By that time he was over six feet tall, gaining confidence and making great strides conquering coordination issues.
“Mom had me jumping a rope,” Clyde reminisced recently. “She didn’t insist that I play but, if I was going to, she wanted me to commit to being the best I could be.”
By the time Lovellette enrolled at Garfield High School in 1944, he was 6-feet-4. During the summer before his freshman year, coach Willard Kehrt encouraged Clyde to take dance lessons and work with weights for upper body strength. And he continued to skip a rope. Assistant coaches Donas Dischinger and George Yaeger helped in several areas. The coaches urged him to shoot free throws underhanded.
Clyde played on the junior varsity as a freshman and was a reserve on the varsity. Led by Alex Balu, Stu Chestnut and sophs Ronnie Bland and Gordon Neff, the Purple Eagles won the 1945 Wabash Valley tournament, beating Bridgeport, Ill., in the title game. Herschel Wagner, an Army veteran, was Bridgeport’s top scorer.
Gerstmeyer eliminated Garfield in the 1945 Terre Haute Sectional, 65-54.
State High, led by Lyle Disney and future Indiana All-Star Charlie Fouty, edged Garfield, 28-22, in the 1946 Sectional, won by Honey Creek.
Going into the 1947 IHSAA tournament championship game, undefeated Garfield was identified by many as “the best high school team ever produced in Indiana” after winning a record 31 straight games. The Purple Eagles lost in the finale, 68-58, to Shelbyville with future Indiana University star Bill Garrett and Emerson Johnson, a team they had beaten during the season. Clyde outscored Garrett, 25-21, before fouling out.
He also recorded 19 in Garfield’s victory over Marion in the afternoon game.
The Garfield team was crowned the 1947 Wabash Valley tournament, Western Indiana Conference and city champions. Lovellette, a 6-foot-8 junior, set tournament records for free throw attempts and free throws made. He also was said to be the tallest athlete ever to play in the IHSAA tournament finals, attracting notice from colleges nationwide.
Clyde did not have to go too far to compete against tall players. John Scott of Wiley, Bob Gilbert of Gerstmeyer and Perry Brown of State High, who played during the same era, were 6-6 or better.
Neff and Bland, the 1947 Trester Award winner, graduated but, with Lovellette and playmaker Bob Skitt returning, the Purple Eagles were expected to be very good in the 1947-48 season. And they were, winning the Wabash Valley tournament as Clyde, 6-9 and 230 pounds, poured in a record 35 points in the title game against Attica.
The 1948 season ended on a sour note when Wiley upended Garfield, 45-44, in the Terre Haute Sectional championship game.
Meanwhile, Lovellette was busy fielding inquiries from at least 50 colleges. It was an unforeseen experience. As a youth, Clyde had set his sights on working for the railroad, like his father, or trying to secure a position with the Indiana State Police.
He visited North Carolina State, Georgia Tech, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Purdue and Indiana State, coached by John Wooden, before committing to Indiana University.
“I was born and raised a Hoosier,” Lovellette said time and time again. “If I was going to go to college, IU was the logical place.”
Upon returning to Indianapolis after visiting Coach Everett Case at North Carolina State, Lovellette and several other Indiana athletes were met at the airport by IHSAA Commissioner L.V. Phillips and advised they would be ineligible for spring sports for engaging in a scrimmage with college athletes. Clyde was a baseball letterman.
His late decision to attend the University of Kansas stunned the basketball world.
Assistant coach Dick Harp, who had received commitments from three top Kansas high school players, contacted him first but Clyde rejected his overtures. But Kansas head coach Forrest “Phog” Allen, now a basketball legend, was persistent. Lovellette clearly was the best high school prospect in the U.S.
Coach Allen showed up at the Lovellettes’ home at 2047 N. Eighth St. one summer day in 1948. Clyde tried to avoid him but eventually relented, agreeing to accompany the coach to Lawrence, Kan., to look at the KU campus. During their visit, Allen told Clyde that, if he came to Kansas, the team would win the Big Seven Conference, a NCAA championship and would go to the Olympics.
“That had a huge impact on me,” Clyde said. “That talk changed my mind.”
Garfield’s failure to win the 1948 Sectional and Lovellette’s decision to go to Kansas may have hampered his chances to be named Indiana’s Mr. Basketball. In 1948, that honor went to Bob Masters, floor leader on Lafayette Jefferson state championship team who became a three-year starter at IU. Clyde wore No. 2.
The chemistry between Coach Allen and Lovellette was immediate and lasting. Freshmen were not eligible so Clyde spent the entire academic year and the following summer in Kansas increasing his strength and honing his skills.
Continued to next week.
History
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Clyde Lovellette: Basketball’s most dominant collegian (Part III)
- History
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GENEALOGY: Info sought on people buried in Clay County
This week, we have several queries.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: O.C. Simonds’ ideas launched Fairbanks Park
Among the first serious efforts to beautify the landscape near the Wabash River in Terre Haute occurred early in the 20th Century.
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: The Waffle House closes after 21 years
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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Historical Treasure: Davis Gardens: Once one of the largest greenhouses in world
Another rainy spring day kept me out of the garden so I decided to research some gardening history at the Vigo County Historical Museum.
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Historical Treasure: The 1947 Terre Haute Phillies and the history of baseball in America’s Crossroads
As another spring blossoms, it is time for another season of baseball to descend upon the city of Terre Haute.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: George Lance dominates intercity golf rivalry in 1927
What was expected to be a close match between two Terre Haute golfers for the 1927 Indiana Amateur Golf championship turned out to be a cakewalk.
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GENEALOGY: Follow ‘Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs’
I recently read an article called “Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs,” by Tamara Hemmerlein, Hoosier Heritage Alliance Coordinator for the Indiana Historical Society
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: Teachers issued rubber gloves to use in management of blood, other body fluids
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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Historical Perspective: Wabash Valley is home to prominent comedy opera stars
Comic opera, a genre consisting of light hearted musicals, was introduced in Europe during the 17th century.
In the 19th century, several female vocalists from the Wabash Valley, earned national celebrity by using that art form to excel. -
Looking back: In 2003, Storm rips off half of Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof
A Saturday morning storm ripped off half of the Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof and caused heavy damage in Allendale. Wind gusts topping 60 miles an hour brought down power lines and trees throughout the county. Hail almost an inch thick and 1.5 inches of rain fell in less than an hour.
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Abundance of shoe stores existed downtown
Spring to me means putting away heavy winter sweaters and bringing out fun lighter sundresses. It also means the possibility of shopping for a new dress or even new shoes.
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Genalogy: Handwriting in 1700s-1800s Copperplate or English Round Hand
The primary style of old handwriting in the mid 1700s through the 1800s is sometimes called Copperplate or English Round Hand. This style of writing is much more recognizable and readable than the older Secretary Hand style discussed last week, and it is much less ornate as well.
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The death of Irish Kate Preston
The lifeless body of Catherine Preston, commonly referred to as “Irish Kate,” was found Saturday morning, Oct. 5, 1895, on a sandbar at the western edge of the Wabash River wagon bridge.
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Looking back: 2003: Sherertz sets nine-hole school record
Terre Haute North Vigo High School’s nine-hole record at Hulman Links was broken by golf team member Matt Sherertz who shot a 4-under-par 32 in a team-record win over Northview.
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Historical perspectives: Railroads were models of innovation and growth in Haute
Railroads have played an important part in the building of our nation and in the history of Terre Haute. It is no small wonder that these amazing machines were turned into children’s toys, as well as models for the more mature train enthusiast.
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‘Foreign’ letters to confuse a genealogist
Any serious family researcher will at some time or another encounter old documents in an older handwriting style that need to be read and deciphered.
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1988: 700 teachers unite in protest
At least 700 teachers were absent from their Vigo County School Corp. schools as part of a job action to protest lack of progress in contract negotiations.
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Genealogy: Vigo County Gold Star Honor Roll
FamilySearch International recently announced “the release of significant new enhancements to its web services that allow visitors to collaboratively build their family tree online, preserve and share precious family photos and stories, and receive personal research assistance–all for free.”
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‘Far-sound’ rings in a new era
This week’s Historic Treasure is an invention that changed life, as we know it in a great way, the telephone.
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Historical perspective: Venard: soldier in the War of 1812
His name was Stephen Venard. For more than 50 years he resided in Terre Haute, without fanfare, with his wife and a daughter. Much of that time was spent in the 400 block on N. First St.
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Looking Back: 2003: Mark Cook brings blues home
Mark Cook returned to Terre Haute to play with fellow musicians in the Cook-N-Blues group at Brazil and Terre Haute.
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Historical perspective: Attempted carriage-jacking thwarted
Nineteenth century newspapers covered several topics that might astonish current readers. For example, the front page of the Terre Haute Weekly Gazette on Nov. 16, 1878 – 135 years ago – reported on the bold attempt by four “villains” to rob two women riding in a carriage immediately west of the fairgrounds at Brown and Wabash avenues:
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Genealogy: Dutchman seeks family of missing soldier
Query: I live in the Netherlands and recently I have adopted the name of American PFC Joseph P. Nelson at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten. He was killed in action on Dec. 5, 1944, and his name is on the Walls of the Missing.
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Sewing Society keeps hospital in linen, supplies
When Tracy Pruitt came across a small box of old ledgers and receipt books recently, his first impulse was to throw it away. But he decided to sit down and examine its contents. In doing so, he discovered a story.
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Looking Back: 1963: Officials prepare for disaster
City officials were studying survival plans in case of a natural disaster or attack by an enemy source. Gilbert Leonard was the director of Vigo County Defense.
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Genealogy: Gold Star Honor Roll: Vigo County
This week continues with the Gold Star Honor Roll (those who died in WW I) from the Wabash Valley. The Vigo County list is long and will be run in three parts.
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River boat models capture glory of former culture
In the River portion of the latest exhibit at the Vigo County Historical Society museum are two models of river paddle boats created by Alfred F. Nehf.
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Historical perspective: Babe Holland: advocate for equality
Wherever Terre Haute native William Sylvester Holland roamed, he made an impact.
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Historical Perspective: Terre Haute’s architectural heritage
Much more than is commonly recognized, Terre Haute has a rich and diverse legacy of landscapes designed by some of the nation’s most talented architects.
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Genealogy: A search for names from broken stones
This week there is a query about an old cemetery in Parke County, that is believed to have been destroyed:
- More History Headlines
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GENEALOGY: Info sought on people buried in Clay County
Raw: French Soldier Stabbed in Throat Near Paris
Today in History May 26
High Wire Spectacle Thrills Crowd in Austria
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American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Obama Visits Oklahoma, Consoles Tornado Victims
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Hagel Urges Cadets to End Scourge of Sex Assault
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Jersey Shore Continues Celebrating Post-Sandy Memorial Day Weekend
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More rain worsens San Antonio flooding
Boston Marathoners at IMS
Fleet Week cancelled for first time in 30 years
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Support for Anthony Weiner mayoral run still lukewarm
Bethpage Air Show goes on at Jones Beach
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National Organization of Women (NOW) biennial general meeting
NJ Man Claims Share Of $198M Mega Millions Jackpot
Jersey Shore: Stronger Than The Storm
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Massive Flooding in San Antonio Area; Rescue Efforts Underway
