Lauren “Laddie” Gale
(1917-1996)
Hall of Fame Induction: 1977
Card Shown:
1986-2002 Basketball Hall of Fame
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Position: F
Height: 6’4″
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Lauren “Laddie” Gale was a gifted athlete and high-scoring forward who helped bring Pacific Northwest basketball into the national spotlight. Laddie led the University of Oregon to the first ever NCAA basketball championship. During his junior and senior years, Gale led the Pacific Coast League in scoring and was selected All Pacific Coast Conference First Team.
Awards and Honors
- Laddie was a four-year starter at Oakridge High School in Oakridge, Oregon. In 1935, his senior year, he was recognized for his outstanding play with All-State honors.
- Gale helped lead the Oregon Ducks “Tall Firs” to the first NCAA Championship in 1939. Under Hall of Fame coach Howard Hobson, Oregon finished with a 29-5 record and defeated Ohio State in the title game 46-33. Laddie and teammate Bobby Anet led the Ducks in scoring with 10 points each.
- Prior to winning the first NCAA title, Gale led Oregon to the Pacific Coast Conference Northern Division title with a record of 14-2. He was a consensus All-America selection in 1939.
- Laddie was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1980 and the University of Oregon Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993.
- The University of Oregon also retired Gale’s number 28 jersey when he was inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame.
Points of Interest
- Laddie (6’4″) and his teammates Slim Wintermute (6’8″), Bobby Anet, and Wally Johansen were given the nickname the “Tall Firs.” They were instrumental in leading Oregon to successful seasons in 1936-37 (20-9), 1937-38 (25-8), and 1938-39 (29-5).
- In his championship season at Oregon, Gale led the Ducks with an average of 12 points per game. He scored 408 points in his junior year and 407 points in his senior year for the Ducks.
- Like Hank Luisetti, Laddie was one of the earliest basketball players to utilize the one-handed shot. Most players at the time still relied on a two-handed set shot.
- After college, Laddie played for the Detroit Eagles of the National Basketball League in 1939-40. He and teammate Buddy Jeannette helped the Eagles to a 17-11 record and a second place finish in the NBL Eastern Division. They lost 2-1 in the playoffs against the Akron Firestone Non-Skids.
- Gale served in the U.S. Army during World War 2. After completing his service, Laddie was a player-coach for two years with the Salt Lake City Deseret Times team. He also coached the Oakland Bittners for two years, leading them to the quarterfinals of the Olympic Trials.
- Laddie retired from basketball in 1949 and went on to pursue a career in real estate.
Lauren “Laddie” Gale
Signed Program Page
Lauren “Laddie” Gale
Razor Cut Signature Card
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