Jack Eskridge

Jack Eskridge
Personal information
Born	January 21, 1924; Independence, Missouri
Died	February 11, 2013 (aged 89); Independence, Missouri
Nationality	American
Listed height	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight	200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school	William Chrisman; (Independence, Missouri)
College	Graceland (1941–1943); Kansas (1946–1948);
BAA draft	1948: undrafted
Playing career	1948–1949
Position	Center / forward
Number	30, 70
Coaching career	1954–1959
Career history
As player:
1948	Chicago Stags
1948–1949	Indianapolis Jets
As coach:
1954–1959	Kansas (assistant)
	Stats at NBA.com
	Stats at Basketball Reference

John Wallace Eskridge^[1] (January 21, 1924 – February 11, 2013) was an American professional basketball player. He spent one season in the Basketball Association of America (BAA) as a member of the Chicago Stags and the Indianapolis Jets (1948–49). He recruited Hall of Fame basketball player Wilt Chamberlain to the University of Kansas, and designed the "star" logo of the Dallas Cowboys professional football team in the NFL.

Early years

Eskridge was born on January 21, 1924, in Independence, Missouri. He attended William Chrisman High School where he played on the school's basketball team. After graduating high school he began attending Graceland University where he played on the football and basketball teams. He was later inducted into the college's athletic hall of fame. He joined the United States Marine Corps during World War II where he served in the Pacific Theater. During the war he was involved in the battle of Iwo Jima and witnessed both flag raisings.

University and professional athletics

After Eskridge was relieved of duty he started attending the University of Kansas and played on the school's basketball team. Once his professional playing career was over he coached the Atchison High School (Kansas) basketball team to a state championship before he joined the Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team as their equipment manager and assistant coach under Phog Allen from 1954 to 1959. During his tenure, he recruited Wilt Chamberlain.

In 1959, Eskridge joined the Dallas Cowboys football team as their equipment manager. He was credited with designing the Cowboys' star logo.

Later years

After Eskridge's career with Dallas he moved to Independence, Missouri, where he coached basketball and taught high school for over 20 years. Eskridge died in Independence on February 11, 2013, at the age of 88.^[1]^[2]

BAA career statistics

Legend
GP	Games played	FG%	Field-goal percentage
FT%	Free-throw percentage	APG	Assists per game
PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high

Regular season

Year	Team	GP	FG%	FT%	APG	PPG
1948–49	Chicago	3	.000	.000	.0	.0
1948–49	Indianapolis	20	.362	.700	.7	3.2
Career		23	.362	.700	.6	2.8

References

^ ^a ^b "John "Jack" Wallace Eskridge Obituary". Carson-Speaks Chapel. obitsforlife.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
^ Dodd, Rustin (February 13, 2013). "Eskridge, former KU basketball assistant and KC native, dies at 89". kansascity.com. Lawrence, Missouri: The Kansas City Star. Retrieved January 13, 2014.

External links

Career statistics from NBA.com and Basketball Reference
Jack Eskridge, the Man Who Created the Dallas Cowboys’ Logo, Has Died
Cowboys’ First Equip. Manager, Creator of Star Passes Away Archived June 6, 2013, at the Wayback Machine

[obit-1] "John "Jack" Wallace Eskridge Obituary". Carson-Speaks Chapel. obitsforlife.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2014.

[2] Dodd, Rustin (February 13, 2013). "Eskridge, former KU basketball assistant and KC native, dies at 89". kansascity.com. Lawrence, Missouri: The Kansas City Star. Retrieved January 13, 2014.

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[2]