Standing:
Coach
Jerry Friedli, Al Cervi, Jerry Neufang, Ed Showerman, Jack Major,
Dolph Schayes, Coach Mike Gasapo.
Kneeling:
Fran
Letizia, Tom Smolinski, Pat Simiele and
Joe
Cichocki.
The
Solvay Tigers 1951-52 basketball team, champions of the Syracuse
Boys Club League, in a photo taken when the team was visited by
NBA great Dolph Schayes (who appears to be sleeping on his
feet) and his Syracuse Nationals player-coach Al Cervi. The
Syracuse Nationals maintained a close relationship with the community
and the players were more like neighbors than celebrities. Cervi
was coach and Schayes the star when the Nats won the 1954-55 NBA
Championship, defeating the Fort Wayne Pistons 4 games to 3 in the
title series. The Pistons later moved to Detroit and the Nats became
the Philadelphia 76ers.
