Sugarman, Lou

Louis Sugarman

An excellent dribbler, Sugarman began playing basketball on New York City's Lower East Side in the early twentieth century, and played with such early greats as Ira Streusand, and Hall of Famers Marty Friedman, and Barney Sedran. Friedman called Sugarman, "the greatest player ever developed on the Lower East Side." Sugarman played basketball in college and also played professionally before coaching.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. 1890 - d. June 14, 1951

Career Highlights:
Sugarman, the first Jewish basketball scholarship winner at Syracuse University (in 1908), also played one season at University of Notre Dame (1909). He then played as a professional from 1910-1919 in the New York Hudson League and New York State League, leading the NYS League in scoring in 1914.

Considered somewhat of a 'loner' by his contemporaries, Sugarman (who graduated from Philadelphia Dental College in 1917), was highly emotional and frequently fought over anti-Semitic remarks. He once sent a man to the hospital after a post-game dust-up.

After his playing days ended, Sugarman turned to coaching and officiating. He became the freshman coach at the University of Pennsylvania in 1920 and the Princeton varsity coach the following year. Midway through the year, however, Sugarman quit despite an 8-3 record, telling Princeton officials they 'needed a babysitter rather than a coach.'

Origin:
New York City

Career Dates:
Sugarman played at Syracuse University in 1908, and for Notre Dame in 1909. He played professionally from 1910-1919.

Physical description:
5'7 1/2", 145 pounds

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