Forrest DeBernardi
Encyclopedia
Forrest S. "Red" DeBernardi (February 3, 1899 – April 29, 1970) was a well-known collegiate basketball
player in the 1920s. Standing 6 ft. 1 inches tall, DeBernardi was one of the best center
s of his era, but played all five positions. Born in Nevada, Missouri
, he attended University of Kansas
from 1920 to 1921, but transferred to Westminster College
, where he played from 1921 to 1923. He was named All-Conference in both 1922 and 1923.
Following his impressive collegiate career, DeBernardi became an outstanding Amateur Athletic Union
player. Between 1920 and 1929, when he played with Kansas City Athletic Club
(1920-22), Hillyard Shine Alls
(1923-27) and Cook's Painter Boys
] (1928-29), he participated in 10 national AAU tournaments and was named to the AAU All American team eight times. Five times he has been part of a national championship team.
In 1938 the Associated Press
selected DeBernardi as the center on its All-Time All America college basketball team. He was also awarded with the Helms Athletic Foundation
Hall of Fame Award in 1952. In 1961, DeBernardi was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame
.
He died in 1970 at the age of 71.
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
player in the 1920s. Standing 6 ft. 1 inches tall, DeBernardi was one of the best center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
s of his era, but played all five positions. Born in Nevada, Missouri
Nevada, Missouri
Nevada is a city in Vernon County, Missouri, United States. The population was 8,327 at the 2011 census. It is the county seat of Vernon County. Nevada is the home of Cottey College, a junior college for women operated by the P.E.O. Sisterhood....
, he attended University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
from 1920 to 1921, but transferred to Westminster College
Westminster College, Missouri
Westminster College is a private, selective, liberal arts institution in Fulton, Missouri, USA. It was founded by Presbyterians in 1849 as Fulton College and assumed the present name in 1851. The are located on the campus. The National Churchill Museum is a national historic site and includes...
, where he played from 1921 to 1923. He was named All-Conference in both 1922 and 1923.
Following his impressive collegiate career, DeBernardi became an outstanding Amateur Athletic Union
Amateur Athletic Union
The Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.-History:The AAU was founded in 1888 to...
player. Between 1920 and 1929, when he played with Kansas City Athletic Club
Kansas City Athletic Club
The Kansas City Athletic Club is an athletic club and gentlemen's club in Kansas City, Kansas. Until 1997, it had been located across the Kansas River in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Notable members have included President Harry S. Truman and basketball coach Phog Allen.-Founding:The club was...
(1920-22), Hillyard Shine Alls
Hillyard, Inc.
Hillyard, Inc. is a privately owned cleaning products company in St...
(1923-27) and Cook's Painter Boys
Cook Paint and Varnish Company
Cook Paint and Varnish Company was a paint and varnish manufacturer in the Kansas City metropolitan area from 1913 until 1991.-History:The paint factory was established in 1913 at 21st and Broadway in Kansas City by Charles R. Cook...
] (1928-29), he participated in 10 national AAU tournaments and was named to the AAU All American team eight times. Five times he has been part of a national championship team.
In 1938 the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
selected DeBernardi as the center on its All-Time All America college basketball team. He was also awarded with the Helms Athletic Foundation
Helms Athletic Foundation
The Helms Athletic Foundation was an athletic foundation based in Los Angeles, founded in 1936 by Bill Schroeder and Paul Helms. It put together a panel of experts to select National Champion teams and make All-America team selections in a number of college sports including football and basketball...
Hall of Fame Award in 1952. In 1961, DeBernardi was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame
Basketball Hall of Fame
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, located in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States, honors exceptional basketball players, coaches, referees, executives, and other major contributors to the game of basketball worldwide...
.
He died in 1970 at the age of 71.