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Sherman White Obituary
White died of congestive heart failure on Aug. 4 at his home in Piscataway, N.J., his widow, Ellen, said Friday.
The 6-foot-8 White was one of the nation's best college players for LIU in the late 1940s, and led the nation in scoring in 1951.
He appeared destined for a successful NBA career, but was arrested in 1951 for taking money to fix the outcomes of games.
Investigators found that between 1947 and 1950, 86 college games had been fixed and 32 players, including White and two teammates, were implicated. The scandal was centered in New York, where Madison Square Garden had college doubleheaders twice a week.
White served about eight months in jail and was barred from the NBA.
He played in basketball's minor leagues for a while, and went on to work for a liquor distribut or in northern New Jersey and mentored youngsters in Newark and in his hometown of Englewood.
His association with the point-shaving scandal "was the bane of his existence," Ellen White said Friday. "It gnawed at him for all of his life, and that's why he tried so hard to work with so many young men."
White felt the ballplayers shouldered too much of the blame for the scandals.
"They're still blaming the ballplayers entirely," he told The New York Times in 1998. "Not that the ballplayers aren't responsible for their actions, because they are. I'm not saying I didn't do something wrong because I know I did something wrong.
"But there are a lot things that cause these scandals, not just the ballplayers. And if they don't look out, they're going to have another scandal."
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
27 Entries
August 16, 2011
Our heartfelt condolence to the family.....May the God of tender mercies comfort the family as they grieve
Harts
August 15, 2011
Our heartfelt condolences to Sherman's family. We were so sorry to hear of his passing. May our Heavenly Father, the God of comfort and tender mercies be with you all. WIth deep sympathy,
How you can show support
N H
August 15, 2011
I'm impressed by his acknowledgment of his part in the trouble and in his efforts to mentor youth. This speaks highly of him. His wrongs were made public. His choice to help youth avoid the same mistake was invaluable. He is a rare and an honorable man.
S Griffin
August 15, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Rev. Gene Hill
August 14, 2011
I remember Sherman's outstanding playing and I remember watching him play at the playground in Englewood. He and the other players who were drawn into the point shaving fiasco were from difficult circumstances and didn't play to lose but to win within a point margin so the gamblers could win money. Sherman and the other players took the brunt of the punishment. He was a truly great man that made a mistake. May God fold His arms of comfort around those who mourn this loss. Blessings,
Hubert B. Shenkin
August 14, 2011
I recall the college incident. I was a student at CCNY at the time. Many of the players were friends. It was truly a heartbreaking affair to see them arrested. My condolences to the family.
Micheal L. Nesbitt
August 14, 2011
My Sincere Condolence....
Micheal L. Nesbitt
Burbank,CA.
edward padgett
August 13, 2011
A gentle Giant. A Man among Men. I was blessed to meet,and get to Know "Big Sherm" He will be missed.My deepest sympathy to the White family.
L C
August 13, 2011
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
RV
August 13, 2011
All the best to the White family. May the God of all comfort be with you as you cope with your loss.
kennedy millsap
August 13, 2011
Sorry for your loss.
Lynda Sauvlet
August 13, 2011
Sherman, My prayers and sympathies to your family during this difficult time. My Daddy knew you and always said nice things about you---he always bragged about your tremendous basketball talent and kindness. God Bless You and your family.
R.J. Snyder
August 13, 2011
I hope that your good memories of Sherman get you through this dificult time. I remember seeing Sherman playing for Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre in the Eastern Basketball League. He was a talented ball player. I hope that he gets a chance to play with the best in the after life.
Lorraine
August 13, 2011
To the Family of Sherman White, may the God of comfort help you this time of sorrow. For "He is healing the brokenhearted ones, And is binding up their painful spots." - Psalms 147:3.
Dolon Peete
August 13, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Eliseo Vasquez
August 13, 2011
May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that he will be missed by many.
I know that Sherman the "great" White is now at peace with God. Bishop: Eliseo J. Vasquez
Lisa Lee Harp Waugh
August 13, 2011
Sherman will be missed. My most heartfelt prayers to his family friends and fans.
June & Wanda
August 12, 2011
Please accept our deepest sympathy. We know that Sherman will be missed. As a famous person we know that he touched many lives. As you and your family reflect on the memories, please find comfort from the words at Ecclesiastes 9: 5 & 10.
Santos Malave
August 12, 2011
You were awesome player. You inspired me to try out for the Special Olympic basketball team. RIP
August 12, 2011
I always hope that they would for give him for happen he was one of the best,
My condolences to the White family.
Eli Johnson, Sumter, S.C.
August 12, 2011
I EXPRESS MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY AT THIS VERY DIFFICULT AND PAINFUL TIME,PLEASE FIND COMFORT AT JOHN 5:28,29.AW.HOUSTON,TX.
Jeff Zarch
August 12, 2011
I am sorry to hear of Shermans passing. I will always think of Sherman as a leader of the only team to win the NCAA, and the NIT in the same season. My condolences to Ellen, and the White family
R Golay
August 12, 2011
To the the family of Sherman White - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that he will be missed by many.
Theresa Campbell
August 12, 2011
To the family of Sherman White, may you find peace and comfort from God's word the Bible at 1 Peter 5:6-7 in your time of sorrow.
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