Arnold Straka, Baseball/ Basketball (1930-32)
Arnold Straka lettered three times as a starting guard in basketball and twice as a baseball infielder. Like Mr. Maher, Mr. Straka played his basketball in a different era, an era when statistics were not kept and it was remarkable for anyone to score in double figures. The most points ever scored by his entire team in one game were 42, so comparing Arnold's point totals individually to those of today would be unfair unless you equate them on a percentage basis. For instance as a sophomore, Mr. Straka scored 11 percent of his teams points, as a junior, 23 percent, as a senior 27 percent...with those percentages had he played at UT the last three years, he would have been a member of the Rockets Exclusive one thousand point club. Arnold lettered in basketball in 1930, 1931 and 1932 and in baseball in 1931 and 1932. The Blockhouse described his basketball abilities this way "One of the best players Toledo has ever had...the spark plug of the team... a remarkable shooter and ideal leader." After leading the Ohio Conference in scoring, he went into professional basketball locally with a team known as Redman Tobacco, playing in leagues that were the forerunners of he present day NBA. An excellent student as a collegian, Mr. Straka has distinguished himself professionally as a church administrator and presently resides in Minneapolis.
http://utrockets.sidearmsports.com/
