Roy "Goose" Burris
Roy H. "Goose" Burris (April 12, 1901 – February 1, 1990)[1] was an American professional basketball player for the Akron Firestones. He played college basketball for the Indiana State Sycamores, where he was twice named an Indiana College All-Star. Burris also had a brief career in Minor League Baseball, spending the 1928 season with the Cedar Rapids Bunnies.[2]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 12, 1901 Washington, Indiana |
| Died | February 1, 1990 (aged 88) Barberton, Ohio |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Listed weight | 150 lb (68 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Washington (Washington, Indiana) |
| College | Indiana State (1921–1924) |
| Playing career | 1926–1934 |
| Position | Point guard / shooting guard |
| Number | 29 |
| Career history | |
| 1926–1927 | Flint Buicks |
| 1927–1928 | Flint Big Reds |
| 1928–1934 | Akron Firestones |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Early life and high school career
Burris was born in Washington, Indiana and attended Washington High, he averaged 11.9 points a contest, while being named the Evansville Courier Player of the Year. In his senior season (1920–21), Burris set a school record of 58 points in one game (against Paxton High School), earning all-state first-team accolades; the 58-point game also tied the state record.[3] He finished his high school career as the school's leading scorer (1,124) and games played (94).[4]
College career
He made an immediate impact as a freshman at Indiana State (1921–22), appearing in all 15 games (9 starts) and averaging 5.3 points a contest. He was the only freshman in the Indiana Intercollegiate Conference to complete the 1921–22 season with at least 40 two-pointers made (41) and 30 free throws (32). In 1922–23, Burris led the team in scoring and a record of 20–5. As a junior, Burris again led the team in scoring, a record of 16–7. He was also named to the Indiana Collegiate All-Star team. Before his senior season he was declared ineligible because of his participation in a professional baseball camp tryout a month before.
References
- "Roy Burris, noted athlete". Akron Beacon Journal. February 4, 1990. p. D6.
- "Roy Burris Minor Leagues Statistics & History".
- "IHSAA Boys Basketball Scoring Records".
- "An old Hatchet gets his edge".