Bumper Tormohlen
Eugene R. "Bumper" Tormohlen (May 12, 1937 – December 27, 2018) was an American professional basketball player and coach. He was born and raised in Holland, Indiana; he attended Holland High and helped lead the Dutchmen to an IHSAA Sectional in 1953.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 12, 1937 Holland, Indiana |
| Died | December 27, 2018 (aged 81) Holland, Indiana |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Listed weight | 230 lb (104 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Holland (Holland, Indiana) |
| College | Tennessee (1956–1959) |
| NBA draft | 1959 / Round: 2 / Pick: 11th overall |
| Selected by the Syracuse Nationals | |
| Playing career | 1961–1970 |
| Position | Power forward / Center |
| Number | 12, 34 |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1961–1963 | Kansas City Steers |
| 1963–1970 | St. Louis / Atlanta Hawks |
| As coach: | |
| 1976 | Atlanta Hawks |
| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 1,191 (4.4 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 1,122 (4.1 rpg) |
| Assists | 257 (0.9 apg) |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
He was recruited to the University of Tennessee by former Purdue star Emmett Lowery. During his time in Knoxville, Bumper became a 3-year starter, set the Tennessee career rebounding record (1,113 rebounds), a 16.9 rpg rate; was twice named All-SEC and was named to Converse's All-American team and become known to scores of Vols fans as the "Chairman of the Boards."
After his splendid college career at the University of Tennessee, Tormohlen was selected with the fifth pick in the second round of the 1959 NBA draft by the Syracuse Nationals. However, his first years as a pro were spent in the NIBL with the Cleveland Pipers before being traded to the Kansas City Steers in the fledgling American Basketball League. After two seasons in that league, he moved to the NBA, joining the St. Louis Hawks (now the Atlanta Hawks) in 1962. His entire NBA playing career was with the Hawks, and he retired from play in 1970.
Later, Tormohlen became an assistant coach for the Hawks, and served as an interim coach at the end of the 1975–76 season; replacing Cotton Fitzsimmons. The next season, the team hired Hubie Brown as their full-time head coach.
Tormohlen died on December 27, 2018 at age 81.[1]
References
- "Tennessee Basketball Great Gene Tormohlen Passes Away". wtlv.tv. December 31, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2019.