Allie Paine
Encyclopedia
Alva Leon "Allie" Paine (July 22, 1919 – March 21, 2008) was an American college basketball standout at the University of Oklahoma
who was named a consensus First Team All-American
in 1944. In high school, Paine earned varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball, and he earned a scholarship to play for the Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball
team. He played for four seasons: 1941, 1943, 1944 and 1947. He had spent two years in the United States Army
before finishing his college career.
Paine, a guard, guided the Sooners to two Big Six Conference titles in 1944 and 1947. As a junior
he led the conference in scoring and was named both a First Team All-Conference and consensus First Team All-American selection. In his final season of 1946–47, he helped Oklahoma reach the national championship game in the 1947 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
. The Sooners lost, however, to the Holy Cross Crusaders
58–47. Paine graduated from Oklahoma with bachelor degrees in business and education.
After college, he played for the only season in the Professional Basketball League of America
's existence as a member of the Oklahoma City Drillers. He appeared in five games and scored 17 points. In 1953, Paine moved to Enid, Oklahoma
with his wife and became the basketball and baseball coach at Phillips University
. Two years later, he started working with Robert R. Nigh and ultimately became the president of Robert R. Nigh Associates for 35 years. Paine was very involved in church and community life. Throughout his years he served on the Enid Public Schools Board of Education, was a Boy Scouts of America
troop leader, Little League
baseball coach, member and president of American Business Club, and volunteered at soup kitchens with his church.
At the time of his death in March 2008, Paine was survived by his two children, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren (his wife had died in 1998).
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
who was named a consensus First Team All-American
1944 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans
The Consensus 1944 College Basketball All-American team, as determined by aggregating the results of four major All-American teams. To earn "consensus" status, a player must win honors from a majority of the following teams: the Helms Athletic Foundation, Converse, The Sporting News, and Pic...
in 1944. In high school, Paine earned varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball, and he earned a scholarship to play for the Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball
Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball
-1908-1980:The Sooners enjoyed moderate success on the court during this era, posting only 16 losing records in their first 72 seasons. They were coached by 9 different coaches during this period, beginning with Bennie Owen , and ending with Dave Bliss in 1980...
team. He played for four seasons: 1941, 1943, 1944 and 1947. He had spent two years in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
before finishing his college career.
Paine, a guard, guided the Sooners to two Big Six Conference titles in 1944 and 1947. As a junior
Junior (education)
"Junior" is a term used in the United States to describe a student in their 3rd year of study . A Junior is considered an upperclassman...
he led the conference in scoring and was named both a First Team All-Conference and consensus First Team All-American selection. In his final season of 1946–47, he helped Oklahoma reach the national championship game in the 1947 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
1947 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
-External links:* on Shrp Sports * , source for much of the information on this page....
. The Sooners lost, however, to the Holy Cross Crusaders
1946–47 Holy Cross Crusaders men's basketball team
The 1946–47 Holy Cross Crusaders men's basketball team represented The College of the Holy Cross in NCAA competition in the 1946–47 season. The Crusaders, behind coach Alvin "Doggie" Julian, NCAA tournament MVP George Kaftan, star Joe Mullaney and a freshman point guard named Bob Cousy, beat...
58–47. Paine graduated from Oklahoma with bachelor degrees in business and education.
After college, he played for the only season in the Professional Basketball League of America
Professional Basketball League of America
The Professional Basketball League of America was a basketball league in the United States that was started in 1947 in response to the tremendous upsurge in interest in basketball in the era immediately following World War II...
's existence as a member of the Oklahoma City Drillers. He appeared in five games and scored 17 points. In 1953, Paine moved to Enid, Oklahoma
Enid, Oklahoma
Enid is a city in Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States. In 2010, the population was 49,379, making it the ninth largest city in Oklahoma. It is the county seat of Garfield County. Enid was founded during the opening of the Cherokee Outlet in the Land Run of 1893, and is named after Enid, a...
with his wife and became the basketball and baseball coach at Phillips University
Phillips University
Phillips University was a private, coeducational institution of higher education located in Enid, Oklahoma, United States, from 1906 to 1998. It was affiliated with the Christian Church . It included an undergraduate college and a graduate seminary...
. Two years later, he started working with Robert R. Nigh and ultimately became the president of Robert R. Nigh Associates for 35 years. Paine was very involved in church and community life. Throughout his years he served on the Enid Public Schools Board of Education, was a Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
troop leader, Little League
Little League
Little League Baseball and Softball is a non-profit organization in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States which organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the U.S...
baseball coach, member and president of American Business Club, and volunteered at soup kitchens with his church.
At the time of his death in March 2008, Paine was survived by his two children, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren (his wife had died in 1998).