American Serb History 101

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Sam as Coach

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In this 1946 issue he wrote about the FIRST Serbian Softball Tournament becoming a big-time event.  Eight teams had already signed up to compete in the regional playoffs:  Farrell, Duquesne, Canton-Massilon, South Chicago, Milwaukee, and two Gary teams, with four more expected before the contest got under way.  (You know those last-minute Serbs!)  “Some of the best Serbian softball talent in the country will take part in the playoffs, according to the rosters turned in by team managers.”

Also, plans were being formed to state a tri-state Serbian basketball league in the Pittsburgh area based on the successful old Penn-Ohio League which was so popular ten years prior.

Vic wrote about sports celebrities Milo Komenich, Gary’s great all-American center who graduated from Wyoming University and was scheduled to pay with the Fort Wayne Zollers in the pro basketball circuit.  Next was Sam Vukovich, of Chicago’s championship team playing first string at Loyola University.  Stanley Milankovich, the 22-year-old Farrell right-hander had won five straight games for the New Orleans Pelicans since he joined the squad only a month before.  South Side (Pittsburgh) sports fans were excited about Bebbers Milkovich, an all-American guard while at Duquesne University playing pro basketball with Pittsburgh.  Branko Kosanovich, star gridder from Aliquippa was reporting to Penn State to begin football practice.

Vic said that Pete Porter sent word that Nick Lalich, mainstay of the Cleveland Serbs cage quintet, was working on his master’s degree at Columbia University in NY.  Mike Adams informed Vic that Akron was planning to sponsor TWO Serbian basketball teams and challenged the other colonies to at least floor one!

Emil Obren reported to Vic that appoximately 50 golfers would participate in the Sixth National Serbian Golf Tournament in Gary on August 31, the same date of the championship softball game. 

Athletic Director Edward Milkovich urged colonies to apply for the 1947 National Basketball tournament, inviting lodges, local church parishes and other organizations to cooperate in staging a tournament.  The Sports Commission and the host organizations would divide the proceeds on a 50-50 basis, including gate receipts, social affairs, souvenir booklet sales and other types of income.

The Midland Serb Athletic Club was sponsoring a banquet and dance following a double-header softball game on August 18.  Midland would play Ambridge and Farrell Serbian teams in the Midland Heights field.  The Youngstown Tamburitza Orchestra would furnish the music for dancing at the club in the evening.

Elsewhere, Vicky Krnich of St. Louis was writing about the up and coming wedding of John Azich marrying Miss Eva Chulick, and also about members of Klub Kultura having a wonderful time at the outing in Spring Forest where everyone participated in the softball and swimming events.  She reported that President Steve Milasevich did a splendid job of handling the arrangements.

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