July 12, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5351 House, the gentlewoman from Cali- multiple national championships. they made the national championship, fornia (Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD) is recog- Players were celebrities. By the late the NBA playoffs, but the Fort Wayne nized for 5 minutes. 1950’s as I was growing up, softball was Coliseum had booked the national Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, no longer as significant, but I remem- bowling tournament so the Pistons I have just returned from a very special ber my dad talking about Leo Luken were booted out of the auditorium and event at the Centers for Disease Con- and Bernie Kampschmidt as if they had to play their games in Indianap- trol and Prevention. Today, the main were Nellie Fox and Ernie Banks, my olis. The next year they moved to De- campus of the CDC was renamed the baseball heroes. troit. Edward R. Roybal CDC Campus, in After having success in softball, in To quote a couple of the long-term honor of my father who served as a 1939 Zollner fielded a team in a people associated with this, Carl Ben- Member of this Chamber for 30 years. industrial league tournament and nett, who crusaded to get In addition, he was presented with the never looked back. The Fort Wayne into the Hall of Fame, said: Champion of Prevention Award, CDC’s Zollner Pistons, now known as the De- ‘‘If somebody would have asked me most prestigious award, reserved for troit Pistons, were not Fort Wayne’s when I was a kid what I wanted to do individuals who have made significant first pro basketball team. The Fort with my career, I would have told them contributions to public health. Wayne Knights of Columbus, the exactly what I did for Fred Zollner’s Quoting CDC Director, Dr. Jeffrey P. Caseys, and the Fort Wayne Hoosiers organization. It was fun and extremely Koplan, ‘‘All his life, no matter where were. And the Fort Wayne General rewarding.’’ or at what level he sat, Edward R. Roy- Electrics played in the NBL, the Na- There are two books out. Indiana had bal has made the public’s health his tional Basketball League, in 1937. The three of the original members of the personal and professional priority. His Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons left Fort NBA. ‘‘Pioneers of the Hardwood’’ re- leadership has prevented the illness Wayne at the end of 1957 but continue fers to that. The other is the Zollner and health of many Americans.’’ today as the Pistons. Piston Story by Roger Nelson. Many of my colleagues who served There were many eventful years in , a Hall of Famer, said with my father during his tenure from Fort Wayne. For most of the Fort about Fort Wayne: 1963 to 1993 will recall his zeal and com- Wayne era, the Pistons played at the ‘‘My wife and I didn’t know what to mitment to health promotion and dis- North Side High School gym. The en- expect when we got to Fort Wayne. We ease prevention and the very special thusiastic fans and confined quarters had never seen snow before. Major place CDC has in his heart. I hope that gave the Pistons a significant league sports to Fort Wayne was the this and future Congresses will remem- homecourt advantage. Pistons. They were great basketball ber and emulate his belief in protecting Lakers’ star was quoted fans. But more importantly, they were the Nation’s health and safety through on the courtside seating at North Side: great people. They wanted you to know prevention and applied research and ‘‘I never really saw the fans get phys- that Fort Wayne was a great place to programs. Our whole family is very ical with the players. But I did have live, and they did everything they proud of my father, but none more them pull the hair on my legs.’’ could to illustrate that to you. To this Fred Zollner was a in keeping than my mother who has stood next to day I believe that Fort Wayne has the National Basketball League sol- him through all his accomplishments some of the coldest weather and warm- vent. Carl Bennett, whose personal his- and who through her support made est people in the country.’’ tory with the Pistons is so intertwined In Fort Wayne we no longer have the many of those accomplishments pos- with Zollner as to be inseparable, said Pistons basketball team, but we do sible. that Zollner never wanted anyone to have nearly 1,000 Zollner Pistons jobs f know how he kept the league—and pro that are part of the backbone of our basketball—alive. TRIBUTE TO FRED ZOLLNER, NBA community. We have the pride of hav- PIONEER He was constantly upgrading his team which eventually led to repeat ing been there in the early days of the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a national titles. The Zollner Pistons NBA, the first meetings occurring in previous order of the House, the gen- were multiple times national cham- Fort Wayne, and now having one of our tleman from Indiana (Mr. SOUDER) is pions. Two of their famous players community leaders being honored by recognized for 5 minutes. were ‘‘Mr. Basketball,’’ Bobby his selection into the Basketball Hall Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise McDermott, who had long set shots of Fame. And we still have some of the today to pay tribute to a great Hoosier from past half-court; and Paul ‘‘Curly’’ coldest weather and the warmest peo- from Fort Wayne, the late Fred Zoll- Armstrong from Fort Wayne. These are ple in America. ner, who was just selected for the Bas- some of the late 1940s cards that I have I rise today to pay tribute to a great Hoosier ketball Hall of Fame. Too often we for- in my collection. from Fort Wayne, the last Fred Zollner, who get our history. They were also responsible for the in- was just selected for the Basketball Hall of Fred Zollner moved the Zollner Pis- vention of the 24-second clock, because Fame. Too often we forget our history. tons Company from Duluth, Minnesota, , who was not only a Fred Zollner moved Zollner Pistons from in 1931 to the east side of Fort Wayne. giant at 6′10′′ but a talented athlete as Duluth, Minnesota in 1931 to the east side of During the 1930s the piston plant dou- well, had this huge height advantage. Fort Wayne. During the 1930s the piston plant bled in size, aided by hefty government They tried a different way to win. In doubled in size, aided by hefty government military contracts because of war prep- Minneapolis, as the crowd hollered, military contracts because of war preparations. arations. they stalled. It remains, and always described Zollner this way: Sports Illustrated described Zollner will, as the lowest scoring game in ``He is short and stocky, a dapper man this way: NBA history, 19–18. But the Zollner sporting peak lapels, a silk shirt, a constant ‘‘He is short and stocky, a dapper Pistons won and the league said this tan, and an unruly coiffure that suggests he is man sporting peak lapels, a silk shirt, will never happen again. about to mount a podium and conduct Bee- a constant tan, and an unruly coiffure Fred Zollner, along with Carl Ben- thoven's Ninth. He is the sort who would not that suggests he is about to mount a nett, met then with the people from harm a fly. Rather than swat one, he would podium and conduct Beethoven’s the BAA in Fort Wayne and merged the catch a cold holding the door open until the fly Ninth. He is the sort who would not leagues which then became the NBA got ready to leave.'' harm a fly. Rather than swat one, he from the leagues in Fort Wayne. Holiday magazine said: ``Zollner is a soft- would catch a cold holding the door Fred Zollner’s vision for Fort Wayne voiced, curly-headed manufacturer, a friendly open until the fly got ready to leave.’’ was for the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons man with a taste for expensive, striped suits, In 1938, Mr. Zollner had formed a to be to the NBA what Green Bay was and the engaging knack of making them look company softball team for a local in- to professional football. But, alas, that as if he'd worn them to bed.'' dustrial league. In 1945, the Pistons in- was not to be. Fort Wayne was just too In 1938 Mr. Zollner had formed a company stigated the National Softball League, small. softball team for a local industrial league. In which they hoped would open the way He saw the writing on the wall in the 1945 the Pistons instigated the National Soft- to major league softball. They won mid , but the final event was when ball League, which they hoped would open the H5352 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 12, 1999 way to major league softball. They won mul- was a mixed bag but had four very strong Fred Zollner's organization. It was fun and ex- tiple national championships. Players were ce- teamsÐthe Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons, the tremely rewarding.'' lebrities. By the late 50s, as I was growing up, Rochester Royals (later moved to Cincinnati in For basketball buffs, there are two books softball was no longer as significant but I re- Hoosier days), George that most of this special order was based member my father talking about Leo Luken Mikan's Minneapolis Lakers (now the Los An- upon. Rodger Nelson has written the Zollner and Bernie Kampschmidt as if they were Nel- geles LakersÐever wonder where the lake Piston Story, covering both the basketball and lie Fox and Ernie Banks, my baseball heroes. was in LA?), and the Indianapolis Krautskys softball teams. Todd Gould has written a book After having success in softball, in 1939 (named after local grocery store owner Frank titled Pioneers of the Hardwood, about not Zollner fielded a team in a Chicago industrial Krautsky). These teams actually dominated only the Pistons but other early pro Indiana league tournament and never looked back. the NBA for most of its first years. basketball teams as well. Indiana, in the sec- The Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons were not Fort , the Commissioner of the ond year of the merged leagues, had 3Ð Wayne's first pro basketball teamÐthe Fort BAA, came to Fort Wayne to Carl Bennett's threeÐof the NBA teams. Wayne Knights of Columbus (the Caseys) and home. After preliminary discussions, they were Let me close with several quotes from the the Fort Wayne Hoosiers were. And the Fort joined the next day by Fred Zollner and then Pioneers of the Hardwood, from former Fort Wayne General Electrics played in the NBL the Indianapolis Krautsky's owners in Fort Wayne Zollner Piston basketball stars. (National Basketball League) in 1937. The Wayne. The agreement to pull the four teams Frank Brian: ``Whenever I hear the song Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons left Fort Wayne at from the NBL and join with the BAA was the `Back Home Again in Indiana' I get real nos- the end of 1957 but continue today as the De- start of the NBA. Additional changes occurred talgic, because Indiana was like a second troit Pistons. over the next few years but the core remains home to me. The fans were so congenial and There were many eventful years in Fort until today. really loved their basketball. Basketball was its Wayne. The Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons brought own special culture there. When anybody ever For most of the Fort Wayne era, the Pistons many thrills to northeast Indiana, including one asks me about the fans in Indiana, there's played at the North Side High School gym. of the early NBA All-Star games which fea- only one word I can sayÐunbelievable. Yes, The enthusiastic fans and confined quarters tures such stars as George Mikan (whose sir, unbelievable. It was great.'' gave the Pistons a significant homecourt ad- 1948 is the most valuable of Hall-of-Famer George Yardley, the first Pis- vantage. Minneapolis Laker's star Slater Mar- all time), and . The ton and the first NBA player in history to score tin was quoted on the courtside seating at then brand new Allen County War Memorial 2000 points in a season, said, ``If it's winter- North Side: ``I never really saw the fans get Coliseum was a showpiece arena, packed to time, and it's Indiana, it must mean basketball. physical with the players. I had them pull the the ceiling with over 10,000 fans. Over 8,000 The fans there were really wonderful. I loved hair on my legs through.'' came to see the Zollner Pistons defeat the it, truly loved it. It was the greatest experience Fred Zollner was key in keeping the NBL , during 's first visit in the world.'' (National Basketball League) solvent. He gave there. Yardley, a California boy and Stanford grad, direct financial aid to other teams, he pur- Fred Zollner's vision for Fort Wayne was for also said about Fort Wayne: ``My wife and I chased players for cash to help keep teams the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons to be to the didn't know what to expect when we got to afloat, and did other things to keep the league NBA what Green Bay was to professional foot- Fort Wayne. We had never seen snow before. going. Carl Bennett who's personal history ball. But, alas, it was not to be. New York, Major league sports to Fort Wayne was the with the Pistons is so intertwined with Zollner Chicago, Boston and other cities had millions Pistons. They were great basketball fans. But as to be inseparable said that Zollner never of people to draw from whereas Fort Wayne more importantly, they were great people. wanted anyone to know how he helped the had less than 200,000. But Fred Zollner not They wanted you to know that Fort Wayne leagueÐand pro basketballÐalive. only brought big-time basketball to a smaller was a great place to live, and they did every- Zollner treated his players well, being known size city, but he was instrumental in the found- thing they could to illustrate that to you. To throughout the league as a generous owner. ing of the NBA and much of its development. this day I believe that Fort Wayne has some He was the first owner to purchase a plane for Zollner saw the writing on the wall in the of the coldest weather and warmest people in the team. He did this even though he did not mid-fifties. He knew that the big-city teams the country.'' like to fly. It gave the Pistons such an advan- weren't thrilled to come to Fort Wayne. What In Fort Wayne we no longer have the Pis- tageÐplayers weren't as tired from travelingÐ may have finally pushed him over the edge, tons basketball team. We still have nearly that the league re-configured its schedule to according to long-time sports broadcaster and 1000 Zollner Pistons jobs that are part of the the disadvantage of Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne civic leader Hilliard Gates, was a backbone of our community. We have the Zollner was constantly upgrading his teamÐ situation that developed in 1955. Fred Zollner pride of having been there in the early days of which eventually led to repeat national titles. wanted badly to win an NBA championship. the NBA and now having one of our commu- The nation knew he was serious when he The Zollner Pistons made it to the finals. But nity leaders being honored by his selection signed ``Mr. Basketball''ÐBobby McDermott of the Fort Wayne Coliseum had booked the na- into the Basketball Hall of Fame. And we still the New York Celtics, then the most famous tional bowling tournament so the Pistons were have some of the coldest weather and warm- player in all of basketball famous for the tow- booted out of Fort Wayne for the NBA finals. est people in the country. ering two-hand set-shots typically from half- Now bowling was big in IndianaÐbowling still f courtÐor beyond. Paul ``Curly'' Armstrong was is very popular in IndianaÐbut it probably another favorite. wasn't the wisest move. The Fort Wayne Pis- TRIBUTE TO U.S. WOMEN’S The Zollner Pistons were also responsible tons lost four games to three, so the record NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM for the 24-second . When George should show that they did win all the games The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a Mikan, who was not only a giant of his day at played in Indianapolis. previous order of the House, the gentle- 6′10′′ but a talented athlete as well, changed Dick Rosenthal, who played as a Piston and woman from Florida (Mrs. MEEK) is the nature of basketball with his huge height later was the University of Notre Dame's ath- recognized for 5 minutes. advantage, the Pistons decided to try a dif- letic director, said about Fred Zollner: ``He was Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ferent way to win. In Minneapolis, as the a man of vision. Fred nurtured professional rise today to pay tribute to the United crowd hollered, they stalled. It remainsÐand basketball from a very iffy proposition to a States women’s national soccer team. always willÐas the lowest scoring game in major business venture. He embodied the soul Our soccer team won the women’s NBA basketball history. 19±18. But the Fort of the organization and the league. Profes- World Cup. This tournament was held Wayne Zollner Pistons won. But the league sional basketball had come a long way. The this past weekend in Pasadena, Cali- said never again. game owes a great deal to the pioneer spirit fornia. Fred Zollner, coordinated by his able bas- of an owner like Fred Zollner.'' We are all very proud of our women’s ketball specialist Carl Bennett, was key in cre- Carl Bennett, who crusaded to get Fred soccer team. The 1999 women’s soccer ating the NBA as we know it today. The NBL Zollner into the Hall of Fame, and who for team has boldly gone where no United and the BAA (Basketball Association of Amer- most of the years of the Fort Wayne Zollner States soccer team has gone before. ica) were competing for players in a market in Pistons did most everything from coaching to And along the way, Mr. Speaker, they which few were able to make money. The managing to player personnel decisions, said: have taught us all that anything is pos- BAA had franchises in big cities with big are- ``If somebody would have asked me when I sible if you dare to dream; that by rais- nas (Madison Square Garden for example) but was a kid what I wanted to do with my career, ing the bar of expectations, there can few fans and not the best players. The NBL I would have told them exactly what I did for be no limits; that if you are allowed to