Goldman, Julius "Goldie"

According to Jewish Sports Legends, Goldman suggested the elimination of a 'jump ball' after every field goal. Canada's representative on the 1936 Olympic Basketball Rules Committee, the American-born Goldman saw his suggestion accepted by the Committee; the only dissent came from the game's inventor, Dr. James Naismith. Goldman, an electrical engineer and member of Mensa, later helped developed an anti-tank shell during World War II that allowed the Allied Forces penetrate German Tiger tanks for the first time, and helped turn the tide of the war.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. Sept. 22, 1910 - Feb. 19, 2001

Career Highlights:
Born in South Carolina to Russian immigrant parents, Goldman grew up in Windsor, Ontario. After graduating from the Detroit Institute of Technology (where he was named the greatest athlete in the history of the now-defunct school), Goldman captained Ford of Canada, winner of the Canadian championship in 1935-36. The championship qualified the team for the Olympics, but because Goldman was an American citizen, he was ineligible to play for another country.

The Canadian team tried to find a solution to the problem by offering Goldman a deal. If he agreed to play, they could make him a Canadian citizen within 24 hours. Goldman asked, however, if he could become an American citizen again after the Games, and because he couldn't, he decided against playing. Instead, he served as assistant coach. The Canadian team won the silver medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics (the first time basketball was included as an Olympic sport). In the gold medal game, played outside in the rain, the Canadians lost to the United States (with guard Sam Balter); one of Canada's players was Irving Meretzky.

Following the Olympics, Goldman became a high school referee in the Detroit area, officiating football and basketball for 43 years; he was named Official of the Year in 1969 by the Catholic League. In 1990, he was elected to the Windsor-Essex County Sports Hall of Fame, and is also a member of the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

Origin:
Mayesville, South Carolina

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