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Graham, Otto Everett, Jr.

(Encyclopedia)Graham, Otto Everett, Jr., 1921–2003, American football player and coach, b. Waukegan, Ill. He was an All-American football and basketball player at Northwestern Univ. before he joined the Cleveland...

Naismith, James

(Encyclopedia)Naismith, James nāˈsmĭth [key], 1861–1939, American athletic director, inventor (1891) of basketball, b. Almonte, Ontario. While an instructor of physical education at the International YMCA Trai...

Didrikson, Babe

(Encyclopedia)Didrikson, Babe (Mildred Didrikson) dēˈdrĭksən [key], 1913–56, American athlete, generally considered the greatest woman athlete of modern times, b. Port Arthur, Tex. At an early age Babe Didrik...

Gwynn, Tony

(Encyclopedia)Gwynn, Tony (Anthony Keith Gwynn), 1960–2014, American baseball player and coach, b. Los Angeles. He played baseball and basketball at San Diego State Univ., and had a record 590 career assists as a...

Havlicek, John J.

(Encyclopedia)Havlicek, John J. hăvˈləchĕk [key], 1940–2019, American basketball player, b. Martins Ferry, Ohio. He attended Ohio State Univ. and was a star forward on the team that won (1960) the NCAA title....

Gibson, Bob

(Encyclopedia)Gibson, Bob (Pack Robert Gibson), 1935–2020, American baseball player, b. Omaha, Nebr. Gibson, a right-hander with a reputation for being both intense and intimidating, was one of baseball's most do...

water polo

(Encyclopedia)water polo, swimming game encompassing features of soccer, football, basketball, and hockey. The object of the game is to maneuver, by head, feet, or hand, a leather-covered ball 27 to 28 in. (about 7...

Chamberlain, Wilt

(Encyclopedia)Chamberlain, Wilt (Wilton Norman Chamberlain), 1936–99, American basketball player, b. Philadelphia. At the Univ. of Kansas he was a two-time All-American center. During 14 seasons in the National B...

Baylor, Elgin Gay

(Encyclopedia) Baylor, Elgin Gay, 1934-2021, American basketball player, b. Washington, D.C. After playing basketball in high school, Baylor played for the College o...

O'Neal, Shaquille

(Encyclopedia)O'Neal, Shaquille (Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal) shəkēlˈ rəshônˈ ōnēlˈ [key], 1972–, American basketball player, b. Newark, N.J. Joining the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association...