Bill Uhl
Encyclopedia
William George "Bill" Uhl, Sr. is a retired American
basketball
player. The center was a consensus second team All-American
player at the University of Dayton
in 1956.
Uhl starred at McClain High School
in Greenfield, Ohio
, graduating in 1951. He accepted a scholarship offer to Ohio State University
, following in the footsteps of Greenfield's Don Grate
. However, Uhl experienced many adjustment issues and dropped out shortly after the beginning of the second semester.
Bill Uhl played three varsity seasons at Dayton, from 1953–56 and was the school's first seven-footer. For his career, Uhl averaged 18.5 points and 14.6 rebounds per game. He finished with 1,627 points for his career. The Flyers also had great team success during Uhl's tenure, going 75-15 over his three years, with three NIT
appearances - including trips to the final in both 1955
and 1956
. The Flyers also achieved the highest national ranking in their history during the 1955–56 season
, coming in at #2 behind undefeated defending national champion San Francisco
.
Following the completion of his collegiate career, Uhl was drafted by the Rochester Royals
in the 1956 NBA Draft
. However, he opted to instead enter the insurance business - a career he continued until his retirement. Uhl's son, Bill Uhl, Jr. (who also played basketball at Dayton) continues his father's insurance business.
Uhl was inducted into the University of Dayton athletic Hall of Fame in 1968 and was named to the school's All-Century team during the 2003–04 season
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. The center was a consensus second team All-American
1956 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans
The Consensus 1956 College Basketball All-American team, as determined by aggregating the results of six major All-American teams. To earn "consensus" status, a player must win honors from a majority of the following teams: the Associated Press, Look Magazine, The United Press International, the...
player at the University of Dayton
University of Dayton
The University of Dayton is a private Roman Catholic university operated by the Society of Mary located in Dayton, Ohio...
in 1956.
Uhl starred at McClain High School
McClain High School (Greenfield, Ohio)
Edward Lee McClain High School is a public high school for people in Greenfield, Ohio, United States. The school was a gift to the community in 1912 from the inventor and local industrialist Edward Lee McClain. Construction on the school started in 1914, with the first classes held beginning in 1916...
in Greenfield, Ohio
Greenfield, Ohio
Greenfield is a village in Highland, Fayette, and Ross counties in the U.S. state of Ohio, along Paint Creek. The population was 4,906 at the 2000 census...
, graduating in 1951. He accepted a scholarship offer to Ohio State University
Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball
The Lucas Sapp men's basketball team represents The Ohio State University in NCAA Division I college basketball competition. The Buckeyes are a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Buckeyes won their only National Championship in 1960 and have made a total of 21 NCAA Tournament appearances...
, following in the footsteps of Greenfield's Don Grate
Don Grate
Donald "Buckeye" Grate is a former pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies and a small forward/shooting guard for the Sheboygan Redskins of the NBA...
. However, Uhl experienced many adjustment issues and dropped out shortly after the beginning of the second semester.
Bill Uhl played three varsity seasons at Dayton, from 1953–56 and was the school's first seven-footer. For his career, Uhl averaged 18.5 points and 14.6 rebounds per game. He finished with 1,627 points for his career. The Flyers also had great team success during Uhl's tenure, going 75-15 over his three years, with three NIT
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
appearances - including trips to the final in both 1955
1955 National Invitation Tournament
The 1955 National Invitation Tournament was the 1955 edition of the annual NCAA college basketball competition.-Selected teams:Below is a list of the 12 teams selected for the tournament.-Brackets/Results:Below is the tournament bracket....
and 1956
1956 National Invitation Tournament
The 1956 National Invitation Tournament was the 1956 edition of the annual NCAA college basketball competition.-Selected teams:Below is a list of the 12 teams selected for the tournament.-Brackets/Results:Below is the tournament bracket....
. The Flyers also achieved the highest national ranking in their history during the 1955–56 season
1955–56 NCAA men's basketball season
-Major rule changes:Beginning in 1955–56, the following rules changes were implemented:* The free-throw lane was increased from 6 feet to 12 feet.* The two-shot penalty in the last three minutes of the game was eliminated...
, coming in at #2 behind undefeated defending national champion San Francisco
1955–56 San Francisco Dons men's basketball team
The 1955–56 San Francisco Dons men's basketball team represented the University of San Francisco. The Dons ended the season undefeated, becoming the first NCAA basketball team to record a perfect season.-Roster:-NCAA basketball tournament:*Far West...
.
Following the completion of his collegiate career, Uhl was drafted by the Rochester Royals
Rochester Royals
The franchise that would become the Sacramento Kings initially started in the city of Rochester, New York, as the Rochester Royals of the National Basketball League....
in the 1956 NBA Draft
1956 NBA Draft
The 1956 NBA Draft was the 10th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on April 30, 1956 before the 1956–57 season. In this draft, eight NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players...
. However, he opted to instead enter the insurance business - a career he continued until his retirement. Uhl's son, Bill Uhl, Jr. (who also played basketball at Dayton) continues his father's insurance business.
Uhl was inducted into the University of Dayton athletic Hall of Fame in 1968 and was named to the school's All-Century team during the 2003–04 season
2003–04 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 2003–04 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 10, 2003, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2004 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 5, 2004 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas...
.