Today in Wheeling History: May 20—Dick Mehen, a professional basketball player, was born in Wheeling (1922).
Richard Peter "Dick" Mehen was born on May 20, 1922, in Wheeling, West Virginia. He attended Wheeling High School before continuing his basketball career at the University of Tennessee. His college years were interrupted by service in the United States Air Force during World War II, where he served alongside his brother Bernie, who was also a basketball player. After the war, Mehen resumed his college career and later transitioned to professional basketball.
Mehen played in both the National Basketball League (NBL) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). His professional career spanned from 1947 to 1952, during which he played for several teams, including the Toledo Jeeps, Waterloo Hawks, Baltimore Bullets, Boston Celtics, Fort Wayne Pistons, and Milwaukee Hawks. He was recognized for his skills as a power forward and center, earning accolades such as All-NBL First Team in 1949 and Second-team All-American in 1942.
Mehen passed away on December 14, 1986, in North Olmsted, Ohio, at the age of 64. He was laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Park in North Olmsted.
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/56bz94mp), Basketball Reference (https://tinyurl.com/vkr6244b), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/3cdp7fmm)
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons, Pro Basketball Encyclopedia, Big Blue History
Richard Peter "Dick" Mehen was born on May 20, 1922, in Wheeling, West Virginia. He attended Wheeling High School before continuing his basketball career at the University of Tennessee. His college years were interrupted by service in the United States Air Force during World War II, where he served alongside his brother Bernie, who was also a basketball player. After the war, Mehen resumed his college career and later transitioned to professional basketball.
Mehen played in both the National Basketball League (NBL) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). His professional career spanned from 1947 to 1952, during which he played for several teams, including the Toledo Jeeps, Waterloo Hawks, Baltimore Bullets, Boston Celtics, Fort Wayne Pistons, and Milwaukee Hawks. He was recognized for his skills as a power forward and center, earning accolades such as All-NBL First Team in 1949 and Second-team All-American in 1942.
Mehen passed away on December 14, 1986, in North Olmsted, Ohio, at the age of 64. He was laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Park in North Olmsted.
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/56bz94mp), Basketball Reference (https://tinyurl.com/vkr6244b), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/3cdp7fmm)
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons, Pro Basketball Encyclopedia, Big Blue History
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