Harry Gallatin

’’’High School/College’’’

Harry J. Gallatin (born April 26, 1927 in Roxana, Illinois) is a former professional basketball player and coach. Growing up he had taken interest in all sports and has been quoted as saying, "Competition has always been my cup of tea." His drive for competition was amplified during his first year in high school as he attended Wood River High School from 1940-41. Since Roxanna and some other outlying communities like Bethalto did not have high schools of their own at the time, all of the athletes in the area attended Wood River and thus increased the level of competition among the athletes. The following year Roxanna had a high school of its own. He graduated from Roxana High School in 1944 and was granted a basketball scholarship by Northeast Missouri State Teacher’s College, which is known today as Truman State University. However, after graduating from Roxana High School he enlisted in the Navy and served until the end of World War II.

On his first day at Northeast Missouri State Teacher’s College he met a girl by the name of Bev. They were married about a year after college. He said he wouldn't have been able to accomplish everything that he has in his life without her. While playing basketball at Northeast Missouri State Teacher’s College he would go on to average 13.2 points per game and shoot over 70 percent. He would later receive his master's degree from the University of Iowa in Physical Education in 1954. Initially, Gallatin said he never thought he would play college basketball, because although he did well in school, he didn't know if he would qualify academically for college. However, he performed well enough for the New York Knickerbockers to make him their number one pick in the 1948 NBA draft. "It was a dream come true. I really didn't know what to expect, it was my first plane ride from St. Louis to New York. Here I am a boy from Wood River, a country boy, and going to the Big Apple," Gallatin explained. "All I knew was that I loved to play basketball and the Knicks had taken me with their number one choice. So I knew that they thought I had the kind of abilities that they were looking for."

’’’NBA PLAYER’’’

Upon entering the NBA, it didn't take long for Gallatin’s abilities to flourish. Within his first two years all the hard work had paid off and he was selected to his first NBA All-Star Game in 1951. In fact, from 1951 through 1957, he was selected to play in the NBA All-Star game. It was in the NBA where he earned the nickname Harry “The Horse” Gallatin. Gallatin played his entire career as an undersized center at 6’6 and weighing 215 lbs. However, he had more than size and passion; he had tremendous physical strength, and was the epitome of hard work both in college and in the NBA. His durability and constant concentration led him to set an NBA consecutive games played record at the time of 682 games. Gallatin played nine seasons for the New York Knicks in the NBA from 1948 to 1957. His best statistical year was in 1954 when he led the NBA in rebounding, averaging 15.3 rebounds per game. That same year he was also named to the All-NBA First Team. His most dominating single-game performance as an inside presence was on the last regular season game of the 1952-53 season. That night in a game against his future team the Detroit Pistons, Gallatin pulled down a Knick record 33 rebounds, which still stands today. To say rebounding was one of the things he did well was an understatement. In seven of his 10 seasons he was among the top 10 in rebounds per game. And for his career he averaged an impressive 11.9 rebounds per game. After nine terrific years with the Knicks he was traded to Detroit Pistons in 1958. he played one season for the Pistons before retiring. He retired as one of the most dominating post players of his era, and a very durable and dedicated athlete.

’’’Coaching/Present’’’

He started his coaching career in 1962 with the St. Louis Hawks and was named St. Louis Hawks in his first season. He later coached the New York Knicks for 63 games over two seasons as well. Gallatin was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991. Gallatin, 81, is living his retired days as a resident of Edwardsville. He is still a very enthusiastic and active person as he is the physical education teacher and golf coach at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. He is still a large man, with massive hands and it's easy to see why he was such a great post player in his playing days.

External links

• Basketball Hall of Fame profile
• BasketballReference.com: Harry Gallatin (as coach)
• BasketballReference.com: Harry Gallatin (as player)
• Harry Gallatin Information
• Knicks History
• Player Profile
• Harry Gallatin Present Information