Frank Ehmann
Frank A. Ehmann | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 23, 1933 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | August 27, 2023 (aged 89) |
| Occupation(s) | Basketball player, businessman |
| Years active | 1950s–1980s |
| Known for | All-American basketball player at Northwestern University |
Frank A. Ehmann (December 23, 1933 – August 27, 2023) was a distinguished American basketball athlete recognized for his All-American performance during his collegiate tenure at Northwestern University.
Originating from St. George High School in Evanston, Illinois, Ehmann advanced to play for the Northwestern Wildcats. Due to a temporary NCAA eligibility adjustment amid the Korean War, he earned a starting position throughout four varsity seasons. By his third year (1953–54), Ehmann emerged as a leading offensive contributor, posting an average of 18.2 points per game, which garnered him second-team All-Big Ten Conference recognition as well as Northwestern's Most Valuable Player distinction.
During his final collegiate season, Ehmann vied for the Big Ten scoring crown by averaging 23.9 points per contest. His achievements earned him first-team All-Big Ten honors and a place on Look Magazine's All-American roster. Upon concluding his career at Northwestern, he held the school records for career points (1,291), single-season points (501), and highest single-game scoring output (38 points), though these marks have since been surpassed.
Following graduation, Ehmann participated in exhibition matches touring with a college All-Star squad facing the Harlem Globetrotters. Selected in the fourth round of the 1955 NBA draft by the Syracuse Nationals, he ultimately did not compete in the NBA. Instead, he fulfilled military duties in the United States Navy, where he continued playing basketball on amateur service teams. After his naval service, Ehmann embarked on a business career based in Chicago and briefly explored returning to basketball administration as a candidate for commissioner of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) in 1989 before withdrawing from consideration.
Ehmann passed away on August 27, 2023.