Bob Douglas

Infobox Celebrity
name = Robert (Bob) L. Douglas

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birth_date = birth date|1882|11|4|mf=y
birth_place = Saint Kitts, British West Indies
death_date = death date and age|1979|7|16|1882|11|4|mf=y
death_place = New York, New York, U.S.
occupation = Hall of Fame NBA contributor
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Robert L. Douglas (November 4, 1882 - July 16, 1979) was the founder of the New York Renaissance basketball team and one of the first African American team managers in sports history. Nicknamed the "Father of Black Professional Basketball", Douglas owned and coached the Renaissance team from 1922 to 1949, guiding them to a 2,318-381 (.859) record. Douglas was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor on April 20, 1972. The same year, Douglas and the Renaissance were inducted into the Harlem Professionals Hall of Fame. Enshrined 1972Born: November 4, 1882Saint Kitts, British West IndiesDied: July 16, 1979

Known as "The Father of Black Professional Basketball," Bob Douglas owned and coached the New York Renaissance from 1922 until 1949. Though racial discrimination was severe, Douglas kept his team focused. The Rens barnstormed from Boston to Kansas City and played any team -- black or white -- that would schedule them. Traveling as far as 200 miles for a game, they often slept on the bus, ate cold meals, and were barred from many hotels and restaurants. Despite these obstacles, the Rens became a dominant team, winning over 2,500 games. Douglas' astute eye for basketball talent led him to such greats as Charles "Tarzan" Cooper and Wee Willie Smith. Through Douglas's leadership, the Rens were virtually unbeatable, winning 88 straight games in 1932-33.

External links

* [http://www.hoophall.com/halloffamers/bhof-bob-douglas.html Basketball Hall of Fame page on Douglas]