Bob “Foothills” Kurland was the first dominating seven-footer to play college basketball; so dominant, in fact, that he caused the rule-makers to outlaw goal-tending, because he could block almost every shot from going into the basket. He is also recognized as the first hoopster to dunk a basketball in competition.
In 1945 and 1946 he led his Oklahoma A&M team to the NCAA championship and then went on to play for six years with the Phillips 66ers, being named AAU All-America every year he played, and helping Phillips win three AAU National titles. He never played in the NBA, despite multiple offers. While playing with Phillips, Kurland became the first man to play on two Olympic championship teams.
He recalled his greatest athletic thrill as being selected to carry the United States’ flag at the closing ceremonies of the 1952 Games, a memory which he said always brought tears to his eyes. After the 1952 Olympics Kurland joined Phillips Petroleum’s marketing division and spent a 40-year business career with them. He and his wife later retired to Sanibel Island, Florida.
United States