Wednesday, June 22, 2016 “Arnie Johnson – Gonvick’s Gift to the NBA” by Barry S. Martin Harbor he enlisted in the After World War II ended, season. man. “They would get together Seven decades ago Gonvick Army Air Corps. He served 30 Chuck Taylor, whose signa- The Lakers tried to buy on the floor in Rochester and Arnie Johnson, “one of native Arnie Johnson hitch- months at Buckley Air Force ture graces the classic basket- Arnie’s contract, but Royals’ they would lean against one the unsung heroes” of the hiked his way to a slot on an Base (Aurora, CO) as a physi- ball sneakers, spotted 6’ 7”, owner Les Harrison wanted another. They would hold one 1951 Royals NBA champi- eventual NBA championship cal training (calisthenics) in- 240-pound Arnie playing for too much money. In late Janu- another up. I would run by and ons, died in Rochester, NY, team, the Rochester (NY) Roy- structor and starred on the the Amateur Athletic Union ary 1948, 300 Gonvick area say, ‘How do you feel, fellows?’ on April 8, 2000 at the age als. base’s basketball team, nick- (AAU) Continental Airways residents attended a Royals- And they would say fine Char- of 80. His 99-year old sister, Born May 17, 1920, the son named the “Gunners.” team. Taylor urged Les Har- Lakers game in Minneapolis. ley, don’t bother us, we are all Rose Odegaard, and niece of Albert and Ida Johnson, Ar- On leave, Arnie, a 1941 rison, the owner and coach of Unfortunately, Arnie played right. Go referee somewhere JoAnn Birkeland, still re- nie starred in basketball, foot- Converse honorable mention the Rochester Royals, to take a poorly. “So that’s the big bloke else…blow the whistle some- side in the Gonvick area. ball, baseball and track at Gon- All-American and 1942 Na- look at Arnie. you asked us a fancy price for,” where else.’ Those guys never vick High School. He worked tional Association of Intercolle- “Wait till you see this guy, a Lakers’ fan taunted Harri- bothered anybody. They didn’t in wheat fields and on highway giate Basketball (NAIB) tour- Les,” said Taylor. “He is big son. “Why we wouldn’t take fight anybody.” Davies was accumulating too construction projects to pay nament second team selection, and rugged. You won’t find him as a gift.” During a pre-game warm many “technical-personal” mis- his way through Bemidji State played before 12,000 specta- many guys around who are Nonetheless, Arnie became up in the Minneapolis Audito- conduct fouls for complaining Teachers College (student body tors in Chicago Stadium (later willing to argue with him on a fixture in the Royals start- rium, Arnie sidled up to Mik- to referees. Les Harrison hit 400) where he earned three- the NBA Chicago Bulls home the court. Why it’s a good thing ing lineup with Hall of Fame kelsen at midcourt. “Mik,” said upon a clever solution to pro- time basketball and two-time court) in the College All-Star this kid is even-tempered. If he guards Bob Davies and Bob Arnie, “I want to warn you that tect his superstar. He named football All-Northern Teacher’s Game between the best recent- was mean, he could kill a guy.” Wanzer and center Arnie Ris- tonight you better not be too Arnie the team captain. College Conference First Team ly graduated college players Harrison sent Arnie money en along later with talented rough on me. My brothers are Over seven professional sea- honors. He also tossed the shot and the National Basketball for a tryout in Chicago. Wor- former University of Louis- here.” sons Arnie had been assessed put and discus and ran on the League (NBL) champion Osh- ried that he might not make ville forward Jack Coleman. Vern looked into the stands one technical foul. Turning to “Beavers” 220-yard relay team. kosh All-Stars. At this time the team and would need cash Johnson rebounded strongly in the direction Arnie was run down court, he had inad- After graduating with a Arnie met Seton Hall College for the trip back to Gonvick, and made put backs of missed pointing and saw three huge vertently kicked the ball into Bachelor of Science degree All American and Great Lakes Arnie hitchhiked 660 miles, in shots, fired 15-foot one-hand Paul Bunyan look-alikes wear- the stands. The referee later in physical education, Arnie Naval Training Station (Chi- mid-winter, to the Windy City push shots, passed unselfishly, ing almost identical Pendleton apologized for this miscarriage taught high school P.E. classes cago, IL) star Bob Davies who in a cattle truck. ran the court with surprising shirts. of justice. Harrison reasoned for six months. The day after led the collegians to a 61-55 Arnie passed muster and speed for a big man, and de- “Hey,” said Vern turning that taciturn Arnie might get the Japanese bombed Pearl victory. Harrison signed him. The fended aggressively. with a grin at Arnie, happy a fair hearing from the officials pride of Gonvick enjoyed a Arnie’s teammates nick- that it was a joke, “I’ll take all because he never griped to seven-season NBL-NBA career named him “Bulldozer” for four of you on.” them and ought to have earned Barry Martin is the au- – all with the Royals who with the way he drove to the basket The Gonvick Giant defi- their respect. thor of “Bob the Minneapolis Lakers were and “Broad Beams” for setting nitely had a sense of humor. “It must be awful miserable Davies: A Bas- the dominant teams in the late formidable screens for team- While in Washington, D.C. being a referee,” said Arnie. ketball Legend” 1940s and early 1950s. In fact, mates. “It’s just like shooting for a game with the Red Au- “How do I feel about being cap- and autographed the Royals and Lakers are two in practice (unopposed) with erbach-coached Capitals, Bill tain? Well, it’s okay with me if copies can be ob- of only four NBL-NBA teams to Arnie in front of you,” said two- Calhoun and a teammate were the boys want me. We’ll have tained through win the playoff championship hand set shot marksman Bob walking around the Smithson- to wait and see what happens.” information on or finish or tie for first in their Davies. ian Museum. A hotel key mys- Under the “Johnson re- www.bmartinau- division or conference for five “One of the nice things teriously slid across the floor gime,” the Royals, avoiding thor.com. consecutive seasons. about playing with the Roy- in front of them. Nobody ap- misconduct calls, won six of Martin is a na- Just as he was coming into als,” pointed out future Hall of peared to claim the key. When eight games. tive of Webster, his own in the 1946-47 season, Fame coach Red Holzman, “is they returned to the hotel, they When “Iron Man” Arnie re- New York. He is a Phi Beta Arnie, who a Rochester sports you have Johnson on your side. found out the key was for Ar- tired at the end of that season, Kappa graduate of the Col- columnist said “used to stamp Know what I’d do if I ever had nie’s room. Unknown to them, he held the NBA consecutive lege of William and Mary, out forest fires in the Min- to play him? I’d give him a big Arnie had come to the museum games played record of 326. holds a master’s degree in nesota wilds with his power- smile and a healthy handshake alone. “Arnie was a comedian As the Royals workhorse, his American History from the ful right foot,” pulled up lame and say: ‘Arn, old boy, you’re in his own quiet way,” remem- career regular season NBA University of Washington, in the third quarter of a late sure having a great year. How bers Bill. scoring average was 8.7 points Seattle, and graduated from February game against the are all the folks at home? Let’s At half-time of the 1950-51 per game and rebounds 6.2 per the University of California All-Stars in Oshkosh. “Hercu- you and I get together after the NBA season last game, “Arnie game. Les Harrison called him Berkeley School of Law. He les” tried to play in the fourth game and cut up a nice thick Johnson Nite,” Rochester fans “the most unselfish player” is a retired Administrative period, but “his lameness was steak.’” presented “Old Ironsides” a that he had ever seen. Law Judge. The author and marked” and he was taken out “It might not have any effect new car. Unlike many players In a visit to Gonvick in May his wife, Carolyn, reside in of the game. X-rays revealed a on him,” chuckled Red, “but a on their special night, Arnie 1953, the Bemidji Fish Fry Sacramento, California. fractured foot bone and Arnie guy would be a sucker not to played a good game, scoring Crew presented Arnie a Paul missed the remainder of the try to dig a hole when he saw a seven points and grabbing 16 and Babe statuette. He contin- hurricane coming.” rebounds in a 91-79 victory ued to reside in Rochester and Bill Calhoun, who started at over the Indianapolis Olympi- initially worked in public rela- forward alongside Arnie during ans. “It’s the happiest night of tions for the Genesee Brewing the 1947-48 season, remem- my life,” said Arnie.