Luke Witte
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| Position | Center / Power forward |
|---|---|
| Height | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) |
| Weight | 250 lb (110 kg) |
| Born | October 19, 1950 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Nationality | USA |
| College | Ohio State |
| Draft | 57th overall, 4th Rd., 5th pick, 1973 Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Pro career | 1973–1975 |
| Former teams | Cleveland Cavaliers (1973–1975) |
Luke Witte (born October 19, 1950 in Philadelphia) was a U.S. college and professional basketball player who is now a church minister. He played collegiately for the Ohio State University and professionally for the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was during his time at Ohio State that he was severely injured in one of the more brutal on-court assaults in basketball history.
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[edit] High school and college
Witte was a standout high school player at Marlington High School in Alliance, Ohio, where he scored over 1500 points during his career.
He went on to the Ohio State University, where as a sophomore in 1971 he led the team in rebounds (331 for the season) and was all-Big Ten. The Ohio State team were Big Ten co-champions, and teamed with fellow Buckeye standouts Allen Hornyak and Jim Cleamons
[edit] Assaulted in Minnesota
In the Ohio State-Minnesota game, played at Minnesota on January 25, 1972, Ohio State led 50-44 with 36 seconds to go. Witte went for a layup but was fouled hard. Immediately following the foul, Minnesota player Corky Taylor extended an arm to help Witte up, then kneed Witte in the groin and punched him in the head. While on the floor, he was also kicked and stomped by Minnesota player Ron Behagen, knocking him unconscious.
What followed was an extended brawl that included fans leaving the stands and joining in. Witte's teammate, Dave Merchant, attempted to come to his aid, but was struck in the face several times by Gopher Jim Brewer. Another Buckeye, Mark Wagar (currently the President of Empire BlueCross BlueShield in New York), was attacked from behind by Minnesota player -- and future Major League Baseball Hall of Famer -- Dave Winfield, who landed five punches into Wagar's face.
Officials stopped the game, and awarded the Buckeyes a 50-44 victory, prompting Minnesota fans to boo and throw objects as Witte was carried from the floor. Hospitalized for several days, including 24 hours in intensive care, Witte's injuries, which included 29 facial stitches and a scarred cornea, in the views of many permanently affected his career. In all, three Ohio State players were taken to hospitals.
[edit] Aftermath
Ohio State head coach Fred Taylor was angered that the universities (including his own), the NCAA, and the Big Ten Conference refused to pursue sanctions against the Minnesota program, and said later that his enthusiasm for the game was lost as a result; he retired early, in 1976.[1] The Minnesota coach, Bill Musselman, an Ohio native, was previously respected for his success at Ashland College. He was widely blamed for fostering a thuggish Gopher atmosphere -- for instance, he had his team perform dunks and slams during pre-game workouts, unusual for college basketball. Musselman denied that he ordered his team to play dirty or to initiate fights, but left the program at Minnesota in scandal, though this occurred three years later in 1975.
Following the incident, the NCAA banned the practice of players performing dunks and slams during pre-game warmups when officials are not present. Witte chose not to pursue legal or any other avenue of retribution against his attackers. Instead, he has extended forgiveness and tried to achieve reconciliation.[2]
[edit] Pro career
Witte was selected in the fourth round of the 1973 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, who also drafted fellow Buckeye Hornyak -- Jim Cleamons was on the team as well. Witte saw part-time action over three seasons; his 250 pound body spread over 7 feet was not mobile enough for an NBA then stocked with very good centers. He still suffered from vision impairment as well, robbing him of a better opportunity.
[edit] After basketball
Following his career in professional basketball, Luke Witte established his own sporting store in Alliance, Ohio which he operated for more than five years before becoming a minister. Luke Witte is now a Presbyterian minister in Charlotte, North Carolina.
[edit] Notes
[edit] External links
- [1] Luke Witte stats page at NBA.com
