Captain of 1st Olympic Basketball Golden Team
"... the captain of the United States Olympic Basketball Team in 1936 was Frank Lubinas whom you might know more commonly as Mr. Pranas Lubinas." - from the speech of the U.S. Ambassador John A. Cloud
"... the captain of the United States Olympic Basketball Team in 1936 was Frank Lubinas whom you might know more commonly as Mr. Pranas Lubinas." - from the speech of the U.S. Ambassador John A. Cloud
*"Recently, Lubin was named Southern California's top amateur player for the first half of the [XXth] century." - UCLA Bruins
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Lithuanian Basketball Federation initiated a project of sculpture for the Lithuanian Basketball.
Sculpture for Lithuanian basketball in Vilnius. Names of prominent players and coaches are plated on it: legendary Frank Lubin / Pranas Lubinas is among them.
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XIII OLYMPIC CONGRESS, THEME 4: OLYMPISM and YOUTH
4.1 Moving towards an active society
Mr.Lubin coached young Lithuanian players into great basketball team which won European championships in 1937 and 1939. The rest is history. Today everyone knows how competitive Lithuanian Olympic basketball is. Lesson? Even small nation of just 3.5 million may produce high quality action with timely teaching and dedication.
I had opportunity to meet the man in Los Angeles at American Lithuanian School during Spring event of 1990. At that time Mr. Lubin was 80. He was vibrant, humble, respectful to students and people around, was good listener, kept his speech short and with humor. During our conversation I asked Mr. Lubin was he still shooting hoops? Mr. Lubin shared with me that he played competitive basketball till 55! and then kept exercising on regular basis. Behind his words I felt the generous spirit who held special appreciation to his Olympic memories and Olympic gold medal. The man had very subtle sense of humor, was direct and fair.
Mr.Lubin, 6’7’’, started his big-time career with UCLA, earned All-Pacific Coast Conference acclaim his senior year, graduating in 1931, and then went on to star in AAU competition for over 30 years. Later Frank J. Lubin was inducted into UCLA basketball Hall of Fame, http://hoopedia.nba.com/index.php?title=Frank_Lubin.
Basketball was introduced in 1936 Olympics on open court and the U.S. team had challenges on hands when International Basketball Federation tried to eliminate players higher than 6’3”. Olympic ideals prevailed, U.S. team won Olympic tournament and final game against Canada during the excruciating rain, www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/1936/BAS/mens-basketball.html
Frank Lubin went into Olympic history as a cornerstone Olympian who shared his Olympic dreams and experiences with many young athletes and community upon invitations from the Los Angeles Olympic Foundation LA84, http://www.la84foundation.org/: “We were all fond of Frank Lubin and he was very helpful to us”, Wanda L. Dowding, Executive Assistant to the President of LA84Foundation,06.13.2008.
LA84 provides video interview with Frank Lubin and related publication Olympian Oral History, www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OralHistory/OHLubin.pdf, but there was no game film from the memorable Olympic Games. As basketball player and coach, I was always curious about Mr.Lubin’s game in his playing years. There are many basketball fans around having the same itch.
In 2004, Lithuanian Television produced documentary “Lithuanian Basketball 1920-2004”, which includes Frank Lubin’s play fragments at the 1939 European Championship. Thanks to generosity of the Lithuanian professionals, Olympic community has a rare opportunity to take a peek at legendary Mr. Lubin in the action. Let me share and comment few excerpts to fans of the Olympic basketball. Please find the video at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DSSiId5SEo:
Above you see the photo of the golden brick dedicated to Frank Lubin and the 1st U.S. Olympic gold medal in basketball he brought to Los Angeles as Captain of the U.S. men team. The honor is placed on Sunset Boulevard next to Bank of America under a large tree which symbolizes larger than life spirit of Mr. Frank Lubin.
See larger photos here:
Golden Brick of Honor to Frank Lubin in Hollywood.
4.1 Moving towards an active society
Title: AN ENDURING LEGACY of OLYMPIAN Frank John Lubin
Captain of the 1st Olympic Basketball Golden Team
Captain of the 1st Olympic Basketball Golden Team
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Short movie of slides with music complements the Contribution, duration 4:57 min., Access: Your E-mail: skymus@gmail.com.
The movie is also placed in a private channel on http://www.youtube.com/.
The movie is also placed in a private channel on http://www.youtube.com/.
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In February of 2008 the IOC President Jacques Rogge announced beginning of Youth Olympic Games [YOG] to bring youth sports, culture and education together. YOG brings special vibe into Olympic Movement as they destined to explore new advanced forms of communication and competition. It is monumental decision in terms of Olympic Movement future facing today’s stiffness in front of computer screens. To make YOG work, we are bound to analyze successes of the past to creatively integrate them into the future. One of such great developments occurred after 1936 Olympic Games: Frank J. Lubin led US basketball team to the Olympic gold, and then headed to Lithuania, his parents motherland, to teach youth basketball fundamentals,
Mr.Lubin coached young Lithuanian players into great basketball team which won European championships in 1937 and 1939. The rest is history. Today everyone knows how competitive Lithuanian Olympic basketball is. Lesson? Even small nation of just 3.5 million may produce high quality action with timely teaching and dedication.
I had opportunity to meet the man in Los Angeles at American Lithuanian School during Spring event of 1990. At that time Mr. Lubin was 80. He was vibrant, humble, respectful to students and people around, was good listener, kept his speech short and with humor. During our conversation I asked Mr. Lubin was he still shooting hoops? Mr. Lubin shared with me that he played competitive basketball till 55! and then kept exercising on regular basis. Behind his words I felt the generous spirit who held special appreciation to his Olympic memories and Olympic gold medal. The man had very subtle sense of humor, was direct and fair.
Mr.Lubin, 6’7’’, started his big-time career with UCLA, earned All-Pacific Coast Conference acclaim his senior year, graduating in 1931, and then went on to star in AAU competition for over 30 years. Later Frank J. Lubin was inducted into UCLA basketball Hall of Fame, http://hoopedia.nba.com/index.php?title=Frank_Lubin.
Basketball was introduced in 1936 Olympics on open court and the U.S. team had challenges on hands when International Basketball Federation tried to eliminate players higher than 6’3”. Olympic ideals prevailed, U.S. team won Olympic tournament and final game against Canada during the excruciating rain, www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/1936/BAS/mens-basketball.html
Frank Lubin went into Olympic history as a cornerstone Olympian who shared his Olympic dreams and experiences with many young athletes and community upon invitations from the Los Angeles Olympic Foundation LA84, http://www.la84foundation.org/: “We were all fond of Frank Lubin and he was very helpful to us”, Wanda L. Dowding, Executive Assistant to the President of LA84Foundation,06.13.2008.
LA84 provides video interview with Frank Lubin and related publication Olympian Oral History, www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OralHistory/OHLubin.pdf, but there was no game film from the memorable Olympic Games. As basketball player and coach, I was always curious about Mr.Lubin’s game in his playing years. There are many basketball fans around having the same itch.
In 2004, Lithuanian Television produced documentary “Lithuanian Basketball 1920-2004”, which includes Frank Lubin’s play fragments at the 1939 European Championship. Thanks to generosity of the Lithuanian professionals, Olympic community has a rare opportunity to take a peek at legendary Mr. Lubin in the action. Let me share and comment few excerpts to fans of the Olympic basketball. Please find the video at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DSSiId5SEo:
excerpt 5:50 to 5:58 – good entry pass from guard into post to Lubin, who seals his defender on the way to the basket and makes a perfect hook shot. This is very smooth footwork even for current advanced basketball.
excerpt 7:44 to 7:48 – Lubin gets high pass, reverses in the air and goes for hook shot. It shows good player awareness near the basket and excellent communication on offense,
excerpt 7:53 to 8:00 – Lubin box out two defenders well, making plenty of space for offensive rebound, then makes rebounding touch pass and then finishes from the air. At the time there was no 3 second rule and, of course, today referees would call over the head foul to Mr. Lubinas :) But the player was definite about what he was doing and you may see years of playing experience in him.
Those few video excerpts, Olympian Oral History interview allow us to witness the mindset of the Olympian, enjoy his favorite hook shot, see how competitive he was on the court. Few other excerpts show how wisely he directed in-and-out offense by passing ball from post outside and asking to re-enter the ball. Today coaches seek similar game flow.
The legacy of Frank John Lubin lies not only in sharing his game knowledge, but also dedicating his time, resources and spirit to Olympics and youth development. It goes beyond game coaching. As I was following people related to the Olympian, everyone praised the generous spirit and helping hand of Frank Lubin. If it be summarized in one word, it would be Caring.
Some years ago one American Lithuanian player shared Lubin’s basketball spirit with Phil Jackson. As we all know today, he became THE coach of 9 NBA champion teams because of his love to the game. ~10 years ago, while at Chicago, Phil Jackson acknowledged this influence with a symbolic donation to American Lithuanian newspaper “Draugas”.
CONCLUSION
During recent trip to NY our family visited Rockefeller Center and its famous skating rink with flags of many countries waving there. It was nice to see skaters of all ages and abilities to enjoy the fun skating there. Those who were falling down were helped by their friends and I realized that we all have the genes of helping hand. Frank Lubin felt the vibe to extend his hand to his compatriots. The IOC President J.Rogge felt the same vibe to help youth educators worldwide by introducing YOG. Wonderful moment acknowledging this helping hand gene is featured in the below picture - Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus honors IOC President Mr.Rogge for the IOC’s support in developing Olympic ideals in Lithuania and worldwide.
excerpt 7:44 to 7:48 – Lubin gets high pass, reverses in the air and goes for hook shot. It shows good player awareness near the basket and excellent communication on offense,
excerpt 7:53 to 8:00 – Lubin box out two defenders well, making plenty of space for offensive rebound, then makes rebounding touch pass and then finishes from the air. At the time there was no 3 second rule and, of course, today referees would call over the head foul to Mr. Lubinas :) But the player was definite about what he was doing and you may see years of playing experience in him.
Those few video excerpts, Olympian Oral History interview allow us to witness the mindset of the Olympian, enjoy his favorite hook shot, see how competitive he was on the court. Few other excerpts show how wisely he directed in-and-out offense by passing ball from post outside and asking to re-enter the ball. Today coaches seek similar game flow.
The legacy of Frank John Lubin lies not only in sharing his game knowledge, but also dedicating his time, resources and spirit to Olympics and youth development. It goes beyond game coaching. As I was following people related to the Olympian, everyone praised the generous spirit and helping hand of Frank Lubin. If it be summarized in one word, it would be Caring.
Some years ago one American Lithuanian player shared Lubin’s basketball spirit with Phil Jackson. As we all know today, he became THE coach of 9 NBA champion teams because of his love to the game. ~10 years ago, while at Chicago, Phil Jackson acknowledged this influence with a symbolic donation to American Lithuanian newspaper “Draugas”.
CONCLUSION
During recent trip to NY our family visited Rockefeller Center and its famous skating rink with flags of many countries waving there. It was nice to see skaters of all ages and abilities to enjoy the fun skating there. Those who were falling down were helped by their friends and I realized that we all have the genes of helping hand. Frank Lubin felt the vibe to extend his hand to his compatriots. The IOC President J.Rogge felt the same vibe to help youth educators worldwide by introducing YOG. Wonderful moment acknowledging this helping hand gene is featured in the below picture - Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus honors IOC President Mr.Rogge for the IOC’s support in developing Olympic ideals in Lithuania and worldwide.
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It is never enough to see happy faces of young people skating around, playing ball, jogging in the parks or exercising in many creative ways. We have to support sports right where they are vibrant and independent – at recreational parks worldwide! Here people gather to enjoy youthful exercises, games, freedom of personal expression and growth.
To preserve the caring spirit of Mr. Frank Lubin for future generations would mean to elevate our friendships, partnerships and networking to the level of highest Olympic ideals. It could be a dedicated game, photo sessions or collages with Mr.Lubin, with members of Olympic Movement, it could be special learning events.
My offered competition Hoopathlon is detailed in 2nd article "Virtual Interaction in Between Olympic Games", at Theme 5.2. The competition is dedicated to the memory of F.J.Lubin and serves as a small token of my appreciation toward magnificent Olympic Flame inspiring Olympic Movement for future generations.
This Contribution was possible thanks to sponsorship of Algirdas Avižienis, UCLA Professor Emeritus of Computer Sciences, www.cs.ucla.edu/csd/people/faculty_pages/avizienis.html. Thank you Professor and his family.
Basketball coach of the NBA sponsored Los Angeles Summer Pro League,
Member of Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, smchamber.com (search here for WishTheBest.com ),
Software Programmer of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, 1977-1987. *
To preserve the caring spirit of Mr. Frank Lubin for future generations would mean to elevate our friendships, partnerships and networking to the level of highest Olympic ideals. It could be a dedicated game, photo sessions or collages with Mr.Lubin, with members of Olympic Movement, it could be special learning events.
My offered competition Hoopathlon is detailed in 2nd article "Virtual Interaction in Between Olympic Games", at Theme 5.2. The competition is dedicated to the memory of F.J.Lubin and serves as a small token of my appreciation toward magnificent Olympic Flame inspiring Olympic Movement for future generations.
This Contribution was possible thanks to sponsorship of Algirdas Avižienis, UCLA Professor Emeritus of Computer Sciences, www.cs.ucla.edu/csd/people/faculty_pages/avizienis.html. Thank you Professor and his family.
Coach ArtuM
Basketball coach of the NBA sponsored Los Angeles Summer Pro League,
Member of Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, smchamber.com (search here for WishTheBest.com ),
Software Programmer of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, 1977-1987. *
P.S. More details on F.J. Lubin are available at:
Above you see the photo of the golden brick dedicated to Frank Lubin and the 1st U.S. Olympic gold medal in basketball he brought to Los Angeles as Captain of the U.S. men team. The honor is placed on Sunset Boulevard next to Bank of America under a large tree which symbolizes larger than life spirit of Mr. Frank Lubin.
See larger photos here:
Golden Brick of Honor to Frank Lubin in Hollywood.
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