Boehler, Bruce

 

Bruce Boehler – (1983)

 

BRUCE BOEHLER

“Maybe just a step ahead of his time,” opined Earl McCaskey, who coached Bruce in the basketball at Lorain High in the 1930s. “He had such an uncanny ability to hit the open man that he not only fooled the opposition, but also many times caught his teammates flat-footed.”

After performing as a 5’11” guard and as a pole vaulter and high jumper in high school, Bruce laid out of school temporarily and in the late thirties played basketball, baseball and softball in and around the Lorain area. He starred with many top teams, including Carek Meats, Rieth Jewelers, Polish Club, Wakeman Red Caps, Mike’s Barbers and the Elks Club.

Anxious to continue his education, Bruce decided to accept a basketball scholarship from Adolph Rupp at the University of Kentucky. He captained the freshman team. During his varsity years he further displayed his ball handling wizardry and became known for his soft, two-handed overhead set shots.

In his track days at Kentucky, Bruce pole vaulted 12 feet 6 inches, starred at 3rd base on the baseball team and received tenders from the major leagues, but decided against going to the minor leagues for the arduous task of climbing the ladder to the major league. Instead, he returned to his first love, basketball.

In 1945 and 1946 Bruce played with Cleveland’s first professional basketball team, forerunners of the Cleveland Rebels, the Allmen Transfer five. After 1946 a previous back injury began to affect his legs and Bruce retired.

He has served the Ohio High School Athletic Association as a coach, official or tournament manager for nearly three decades.