In the state of Indiana, where the sport of basketball is king, there hailed a young man by the name of Bill “Tosh” Tosheff, who grew up in Gary, which was located near Chicago and hardly considered a part of
In the state of Indiana, where the sport of basketball is king, there hailed a young man by the name of Bill “Tosh” Tosheff, who grew up in Gary, which was located near Chicago and hardly considered a part of Indiana.
“Tosh,” like the town of Gary, was considered different, but special. In high school, “Tosh” garnered all-state honors in football, baseball, and basketball. After a three year stint in the Air Force, he enrolled at Indiana University as a walk-on. But during his time in the military, “Tosh” learned life’s most important lessons.
“I matured tremendously while I was in service, and my body and mind got stronger,” Tosh said in the book, Vintage NBA: The Pioneer Era, by Neil D. Isaacs.
In his first year at Indiana University, “Tosh” was the starting quarterback on the football team, a first-stringer on the basketball team, and a pitcher on the baseball squad.
As a sophomore, he compiled an impressive 9-1 record as a pitcher and the team also won the Big Nine baseball championship. On the court, “Tosh” made a name for himself as a senior, when he was the captain on a 19-3 team, which was ranked fifth in the Associated Press poll. He also set nine free-throw records, while making the All-Big Ten Conference Team and several All-America squads.
His pro potential was skyrocketing and he was eventually drafted by the Indianapolis Olympians of the NBA. In his very first season, “Tosh” earned Co-Rookie of the Year honors. After a couple more successful seasons, averaging double figures in points and amongst the league leaders in free-throw percentage, “Tosh” decided to move on. Like Michael Jordan, “Tosh” tried his hand in baseball, but in South America, but he still missed the game.
“I lived there a year (South America) just to get the NBA out of my system, it was sad, I cried, I loved the game and I used to say give me the ball, I’ll take it home,” Tosh said.
Along the way, one of his biggest accolades was given to him, as he was enshrined into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Quite an honor, considering the many great basketball players that have come from the state of Indiana. But to “Tosh,” his biggest honor was raising his three kids.
“I miss those days with the three of them, but I really cherished those times,” Tosh said.
Today, he is working as a part-time sales representative for the La Jolla Golf Club Company. La Jolla is currently showcasing their new line of clubs, called, “The Knife.”
He lives in San Diego most of the time and has been a general contractor for many years, but can be found on Kaua‘i throughout the year.
“Tosh” is also the president of the Pre-1965 NBA Players Association, which was created mainly to attain lost pensions for three or four year veterans of the NBA. A joker with a warm heart is how most people describe “Tosh,” who cares for the game that has gone array.
“They should call the NBA today, the TBA, which would stand for the Thug Basketball Association,” Tosh said.
Nonetheless, “Tosh” played in the golden era of basketball, where fundamentals were the key and love for the game of basketball was the most important thing.
Duane Shimogawa Jr., Sports Editor can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) and kauaisports@pulitzer.net
