Oshkosh All-Stars
History 1938-1949 (12 seasons)

Teams Milwaukee Oshkosh All-Stars

The Oshkosh All-Stars were a professional basketball team based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Founded in 1929 by Lonnie Darling, the team was a member of the National Basketball League, a forerunner to the NBA, from 1937 until 1949. The team began as a barnstorming team, playing loosely structured games against other Wisconsin-based teams. It did not belong to a league. Sports editor of the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, Arthur Heywood, thought Oshkosh should have a professional basketball team to give people something to talk about over the winter months. Heywood took the idea to Lonnie Darling, a seed distributor and salesman for the G. H. Hunkel Co. Although Darling had never played a game of basketball in his life, he agreed and recruited 30 talented local players to try out. The team had no set roster, and players could switch allegiances from night to night. Players could make from $15 to $25 per game and played almost every day of the week. The All-Stars played their games at the Recreation Gym to crowds of 800 to 1,200 people. The rules of the game made it impossible for high scoring. After every basket, the ball went back to mid-court for a center jump, and the clock continued non-stop. Fans wanted to see action, so the officials let players scramble and hit each other without much interference. Fan involvement was direct; when a questionable call was made or an opposing player made a nasty move, fans would storm onto the court in an angry mob. In this time, there were designated shooters so that the same player would shoot for every free throw.

The Oshkosh All-Stars were a professional basketball team based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Founded in 1929 by Lonnie Darling, the team was a member of the National Basketball League, a forerunner to the NBA, from 1937 until 1949. The team began as a barnstorming team, playing loosely structured games against other Wisconsin-based teams. It did not belong to a league. Sports editor of the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, Arthur Heywood, thought Oshkosh should have a professional basketball team to give people something to talk about over the winter months. Heywood took the idea to Lonnie Darling, a seed distributor and salesman for the G. H. Hunkel Co. Although Darling had never played a game of basketball in his life, he agreed and recruited 30 talented local players to try out. The team had no set roster, and players could switch allegiances from night to night. Players could make from $15 to $25 per game and played almost every day of the week. The All-Stars played their games at the Recreation Gym to crowds of 800 to 1,200 people. The rules of the game made it impossible for high scoring. After every basket, the ball went back to mid-court for a center jump, and the clock continued non-stop. Fans wanted to see action, so the officials let players scramble and hit each other without much interference. Fan involvement was direct; when a questionable call was made or an opposing player made a nasty move, fans would storm onto the court in an angry mob. In this time, there were designated shooters so that the same player would shoot for every free throw.

1945 Oshkosh All-Stars

1938-1949 (12 seasons)

Oshkosh All-Stars Team History

All-time franchise record

225-170 (.570)

2 championships in 7 appearances

Top Seasons

Year Record Result

1949 37-27 Lost NBL Championship

1946 19-15 Lost NBL Western Semi-Finals
Lost World Pro Basketball Tournament

1942 20-4 Won NBL Championship
Won World Pro Basketball Championship

1942 4-0 Won World Pro Basketball Tournament

1941 18-6 Lost NBL Championship
Lost World Pro Basketball Championship

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Last 5 Seasons

Year Record Result

1949 37-27 Lost NBL Championship

1948 29-31 Lost Western Quarter-Finals

1947 28-16 Lost Western Semi-Finals

1946 19-15 Lost NBL Western Semi-Finals
Lost World Pro Basketball Tournament

1945 12-18 Missed Playoffs

View All All-Stars Seasons

Related Content

Stories, Photos, Videos, Podcasts, and Publications featuring Oshkosh All-Stars History

F i l t e r & S o r t

Oshkosh All-Stars Media Guidepublication

Oshkosh All-Stars Media Guide

12 issues 1938-1949

This media guide is a comprehensive resource created by the team to provide detailed information about its players, coaches, history,...

1949 Oshkosh All-Stars Media Guidepublication

1949 Oshkosh All-Stars Media Guide

81 pages 1949

This media guide is a comprehensive resource created by the team to provide detailed information about its players, coaches, history,...