Tom O'Toole (basketball)
Encyclopedia
Thomas "Tom" O'Toole was an American
basketball player best known for his collegiate career at Boston College
. A left-handed guard, O'Toole scored 703 points in his three-year varsity career between 1949–50 and 1951–52
. Despite averaging 10.3 points per game for his career, which in the early 1950s was an impressive number, he was known more for his tenacious play and ability to distribute the basketball to his teammates. He is the NCAA's second ever officially recognized season assists leader, and his 7.89 assists per game as a senior
topped the nation. O'Toole would also become the last assists champion recognized for 31 years until the NCAA began keeping track again in 1983–84.
In his final game as a Boston College Eagle
, O'Toole scored 23 points as his team upset highly-favored Holy Cross
, 64–61. The win capped a 22–5 season, one of the school's best ever, as he exited the court to a standing ovation.
After college, O'Toole forewent any professional basketball aspirations and decided to coach instead, including high school. In 1977 he was inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
basketball player best known for his collegiate career at Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
. A left-handed guard, O'Toole scored 703 points in his three-year varsity career between 1949–50 and 1951–52
1951–52 NCAA men's basketball season
-Harlem Globetrotters vs. Seattle University:On January 21, 1952, the Harlem Globetrotters played Seattle in a game designed to raise funds for the United States Olympic efforts. Five days before the game was held, Royal Brougham received a call from Howard Hobson, who was the Yale basketball coach...
. Despite averaging 10.3 points per game for his career, which in the early 1950s was an impressive number, he was known more for his tenacious play and ability to distribute the basketball to his teammates. He is the NCAA's second ever officially recognized season assists leader, and his 7.89 assists per game as a senior
Senior (education)
Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:...
topped the nation. O'Toole would also become the last assists champion recognized for 31 years until the NCAA began keeping track again in 1983–84.
In his final game as a Boston College Eagle
Boston College Eagles men's basketball
The Boston College Eagles are a Division I college basketball program that represents Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA. The team has competed in the ACC since 2005, having previously played in the Big East. Home games have been played at the Conte Forum since 1988, having previously been played...
, O'Toole scored 23 points as his team upset highly-favored Holy Cross
Holy Cross Crusaders men's basketball
The Holy Cross Crusaders men's basketball team represents the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, in NCAA Division I competition. The team competes in the Patriot League and plays their home games in the Hart Center...
, 64–61. The win capped a 22–5 season, one of the school's best ever, as he exited the court to a standing ovation.
After college, O'Toole forewent any professional basketball aspirations and decided to coach instead, including high school. In 1977 he was inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame.