Mike Bloom: Unheralded Trenton Basketball Player
It certainly was not easy for a Jew to play
in competitive sports. Often razzed with religious epitaphs. One significant
episode occurred in New York City where the University of Wyoming played CCNY,
on December 27, 1946. Although the Wyoming later apologized in part . CCNY
Coach Nat Holman’s archives revealed that the offending coach actually stated
that, “those New York Jxxxs and Nxxxrs are getting away with everything.”
However, the press focused on Shelton’s use of the word ‘Jew’ and no other
correspondence or report confirmed this account.
Meyer (Mike) Bloom was a giant. At 6 ft., 6 inches in the 1930’s. Bloom towered over everyone. Learning his skills at the YMHA, he put his height and skill to use in the basketball arena.
In the 1930’s, the basketball rules gave a
gargantuan advantage to tall players and/or high jumpers because of ‘jump
balls.’ Unlike today, at the start of each quarter, a ‘jump ball’ determined initial
possession of the ball. Until 1936, after every score, there was a’ jump ball’.
And until, 1981, ‘jump balls’ resolved ‘tied’ possessions. Newspaper accounts
in the Trenton Evening Times tell the story of Bloom’s controlling almost all
‘tip-offs.’ He led Trenton Central High School to three
state championships (1932-1934). He next played at Temple University, The
national sport’s writers named him as An All-American basketball player in
1938.
The NCAA eliminated the
center jump after every basket in 1937-38; the center tip was outlawed in 1938-39
after a technical foul for ball possession .
As late as 1980-81, there
was center tip on the ‘tied-up’ ball or out of bounds play in which there was
no definitive call as to last touched.
ttp://www.orangehoops.org/NCAA/NCAA%20Rule%20Changes.htm
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1932 Trenton High School State Champs
– Meyer Bloom is far left
After college, Mike played professional basketball until 1950 (Before the
National Basketball Association), with the Trenton Tigers, the Baltimore Bullets
and the Boston Celtics.
1932 TCHS State Champs - Bloom in Center
