James Skala

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James Skala
Sport(s) Basketball
Biographical details
Born September 18, 1930
Illinois
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1954-1960
1960-1966
Eastern Michigan University
University of Michigan (assistant)
Head coaching record
Overall 41-90

James G. "Jim" Skala (born September 18, 1930) is a former American basketball player and coach. He played college basketball at the University of Michigan from 1949 to 1952 and was the captain, leading scorer, and most valuable player of the 1951-52 team. He later coached basketball at Eastern Michigan University and the University of Michigan.

Early years

Skala grew up in Chicago and attended Lindblom High School.[1]

University of Michigan

Skala attended the University of Michigan. He played college basketball at Michigan from 1949 to 1952.[2] He was the captain, leading scorer, and most valuable player for the Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team during the 1951-52 season.[1][3][4] Skala also played football as a reserve at the end position on the 1949 and 1950 Michigan football teams.[5][6]

Coaching career and later years

After graduating from Michigan, Skala became the head basketball coach at Eastern Michigan University. He held that position from 1954 to 1960, compiling a 41-90 in six seasons. He then served six years as an assistant basketball coach at the University of Michigan where he was responsible for recruiting Cazzie Russell to play for the Wolverines. He resigned in October 1966 to accept a job with Consumer Carriers, an automotive firm in Detroit.[7][8]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "MICHIGAN SQUAD NAMES SKALA AS MOST VALUABLE". Chicago Daily Tribune. March 7, 1952. p. C2. 
  2. "University of Michigan Basketball Rosters". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library. (Enter "skala" in the field for "Last Name" to retrieve the record.)
  3. "Skala Captains Wolverine Quintet". Toledo Blade. March 10, 1951. 
  4. "University of Michigan Basketball Record Book". University of Michigan. pp. 30–31. 
  5. "University of Michigan Football Rosters". Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. (Enter "skala" in the "Last Name" field to pull up his record.)
  6. "Scala [sic] and Jorgensen Return to Michigan". The Christian Science Monitor. June 14, 1960. p. 16. 
  7. "Skala Resigns at Michigan". The Owosso Argus-Press. October 12, 1966. 
  8. "2 Ex-Michigan Aces Become Cage Aids". The Milwaukee Sentinel. June 8, 1960. 
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