George Halas
From Hoopedia
George Stanley Halas, Sr. (February 2, 1895 - October 31, 1983) was an American player, coach, owner and pioneer in professional football and the iconic longtime leader of the NFL's Chicago Bears. Halas was also known for his prowess as a basketball and baseball player.
Halas, born in Chicago, Illinois into a family of Czech immigrants, had a varied career in sports. After graduating from Crane Tech High School in Chicago, he attended the University of Illinois, playing football as well as baseball and basketball, and earning a degree in civil engineering.
Halas, a guard, captained the Illinois team, graduating in 1913. During World War I he joined the U.S. Navy. Stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station he was recruited to play on the station's basketball team. In 1918 the team, led by Coach Herman Olcott, beat Camp Custer and Camp Zachary Taylor on their way to winning the Middle West service championship.
He was one of the prime movers behind the creation of the American Basketball League and the owner of its Chicago Bruins franchise, which lasted 1925-31.
