Russell Ochsenhirt was an outstanding scholar-athlete at the University of Pittsburgh. He played basketball for four seasons, serving as captain of the 1933-34 team. He was named to Liberty magazine's All-American first team in 1934 and was twice selected to the All-Eastern Intercollegiate honor squad. After he graduated with a degree in electrical engineering, Ochsenhirt moved to Akron, Ohio, where he took a management position with Goodyear Tire and Rubber. He also joined the Goodyear Wingfoots basketball team. He was captain of the 1937-38 squad, which won the championship of the National Basketball League, the forerunner of the National Basketball Association.[1]