Louis Skurcenski
Louis Skurcenski, Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Braddock, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | December 22, 1998 (aged 55) Bartlesville, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Basketball player, chemist |
| Known for | All-American basketball athlete at Westminster College; player for Phillips 66ers; long career at Phillips Petroleum Company |
Louis Skurcenski, Jr. (January 29, 1943 – December 22, 1998) was born in Braddock, Pennsylvania, to parents Louis Skurcenski, Sr. and Margaret Hornick. Between 1960 and 1964, he distinguished himself as an All-American basketball athlete at Westminster College. Notably, he was part of the 1962 squad that earned recognition as the top small college team nationwide. His career achievements include scoring 1,182 points (ranking 25th all-time), making 608 field goals (third all-time), recording 20 rebounds in a single game (tied for sixth), securing 289 rebounds in one season (second overall), and accumulating 958 rebounds throughout his college tenure (second highest).
Education
In 1964, Skurcenski earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Westminster College. That same year, he participated in a four-week goodwill tour across South America organized by the U.S. State Department. Additionally, he competed in the 1964 Olympic Trials alongside prominent athletes such as Bill Bradley and Larry Brown.
Family
He was married to Stephanie Solomon and fathered two children named Jason and Amy.
Career
Although selected in the fifth round as the 40th overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers, Skurcenski opted not to pursue a professional career with the team. In 1967, he briefly joined the Pittsburgh Pipers of the ABA but returned to Oklahoma after being offered no guaranteed contract. Subsequently, he played with the Phillips 66ers alongside teammates Jim Kerwin and Darel Carrier while embarking on a long-term career at Phillips Petroleum Company's Chemical Research Division, where he worked for 34 years until retirement.
His accolades include being named Westminster College Varsity "W" Athlete of the Year in 1964, induction into the Lawrence County Historical Society Hall of Fame in 1996, inclusion in the Westminster College Sports Hall of Fame in 1988, and posthumous recognition by the Bartlesville Sports Commission Hall of Fame in 2023.
Skurcenski was deeply involved in supporting youth athletics in Bartlesville through coaching and mentorship roles. He also motivated students pursuing science and business disciplines. To honor his legacy, memorial scholarships have been established at Westminster College and Bartlesville High School that recognize students exemplifying leadership, integrity, and sportsmanship.
Death
Lou passed away from cancer at age 55 in December 1998. His funeral service took place on December 24, 1998, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Prior to his passing, he was inducted into the Lawrence County Historical Society Hall of Fame in 1996.