Joe Cackovic
American basketball player / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joseph Anthony Cackovic (February 21, 1923 – December 18, 1984) was an American professional basketball player and coach. He spent the majority of his career with the Harrisburg Senators / Capitols of the Eastern Professional Basketball League (EPBL).
Personal information | |
---|---|
Born | February 21, 1923[1] Steelton, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Died | December 16, 1984(1984-12-16) (aged 61)[2] |
Career information | |
High school | Steelton (Steelton, Pennsylvania) |
Playing career | 1947–1953 |
Position | Forward |
Career history | |
As player: | |
1947–1951 | Harrisburg Senators |
1951–1952 | Lancaster Rockets |
1952–1953 | Harrisburg Capitols |
As coach: | |
1948–1949, 1952–1953 | Harrisburg Senators / Capitols |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Cackovic emerged as a star basketball player while at Steelton High School in Steelton, Pennsylvania,[3] and graduated in 1941.[4] He was signed by the Senators in 1947 after bargaining with general manager Bill Britsch.[3] Cackovic had been playing for the York Victory in independent circles and negotiated to still be able to play with the team despite being contracted to the Senators.[3]
Cackovic led the EPBL in scoring during his first season with 430 points.[5][6] He served as a player-coach for 9 games during the 1948–49 season.[7] Cackovic was selected to the All-EPBL First Team during the 1949–50 season as he averaged 18.9 points per game.[8] He was selected to the All-EPBL Second Team in the 1950–51 season as he averaged 14.8 points per game.[8] Cackovic moved to the Lancaster Rockets for the 1951–52 season.[8] He returned to Harrisburg as the team was renamed the Capitols for the 1952–53 season and served as the player-coach.[9]