Claire Cribbs was born 100 years ago today, in Irwin, Pennsylvania. The 6-0 guard played his college ball at the University of Pittsburgh, where he was a two-time All American. Following graduation he played briefly in minor league baseball for the Baltimore Orioles, and then became the baseball coach at Warren Consolidated High in Tiltonsville, Ohio (where he coached Bill Mazeroski).
During World War II he served in the Navy, and once his tour was over he took a job as the basketball coach in Bellaire, Ohio, where he would work until retirement. His teams won over 400 games. He's enshrined in the University of Pittsburgh hall of fame.
Geno Carlisle was born on this day in 1976, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He signed with Northwestern out of high school, and while there was quoted as saying: "It may sound cocky, but the only player in Chicago who is better than me is Michael Jordan." And he was able to back it up (to a point – not counting the other 11 Chicago Bulls). He played well as a freshman, and then was 1st Team All Big Ten as a sophomore. After that season he was selected to the collegiate team which scrimmaged with the Dream Team III on their way to the Olympics.
Then Geno transferred to Cal. He was named to the Pac-10 All Newcomer team as a junior, and then led his team to the NIT Championship as a senior, converting a 3-point play in the waning seconds to beat Clemson.
Other Birthdays include: Chuck Gilmur 1922 (Washington), Ed Burton 1939 (Michigan State), Bill Musselman 1940 (Wittenburg College), Gary Gregor 1945 (South Carolina), Justus Thigpen 1947 (Weber State), Dave Jamerson 1967 (Ohio), Keith Benson 1988 (Oakland), DeMarcus Cousins 1990 (Kentucky), and Okaro White 1992 (Florida State)
