Schoenfeld, Sam

Samuel Schoenfeld

After playing basketball at Columbia University in the 1920s (where he was first team All-Ivy League in 1930), Schoenfeld became the founder and first president of the Collegiate Basketball Officials Association. Known for his character, impeccable honesty, and integrity, he was honored with the Schoenfeld Sportsmanship Award presented by the Basketball Officials Association. The Award is given annually to the coach and college which best exemplify, "the highest degree of sportsmanship, character, and ethics among its players, coaches, and spectators in the conduct of its intercollegiate basketball games."

Birth and Death Dates:
b. 1907 - d. March 3, 1956

Career Highlights:
A forward, Schoenfeld played three seasons at Columbia in the late 1920s. After earning mediocre records of 4-14 (2-8 in conference) in 1928 and 10-9 (5-5 in conference) in 1929, the Lions turned things around during Sam's senior season. In 1930, Schoenfeld was joined by sophomore forward Louis Bender, and Columbia became the dominant team in the Ivy League. They went 9-1 in conference play and won the Ivy League championship as both Schoenfeld and Bender were named first team All-Ivy League.

That year, Schoenfeld scored 46 points in nine conference games (14th in the Ivy League), and was also named to CCNY coach (and Hall of Famer) Nat Holman's second team All-Metropolitan. Columbia finished the season with an overall record of 17-5 and were considered one of the top teams in the country (there were no official polls until the late 1940s).

Schoenfeld later played professionally in the American Basketball League, the top professional league in the East, in the 1930s. After he retired as a player, he continued to contribute to the game as a high school coach in the New York City area and as a referee. In the 1930s and 1940s, he was one of the top college refs in the country.

Origin:
New York City

Career Dates:
Schoenfeld played forward at Columbia University, 1928-1930.

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