This year celebrates the centennial season of men's basketball at Tennessee. The News Sentinel continues its series looking into the players, teams and events that have molded an exciting history.
He was big and menacing with his flat-top haircut. And in the late 1950s, Gene Tormohlen was the chairman of the boards.
In its 100 years, Tennessee basketball has never seen a rebounder like Tormohlen, the 6-foot-8 Indiana product who played for coach Emmett Lowery from 1956-59.
Over his three seasons, Tormohlen averaged an amazing 16.9 rebounds a game to go with his 15.5 points.
“I’m proud of the fact that I hold some of those rebounding records,’’ Tormohlen said. “But I’ll be honest, we didn’t make many shots.’’
He holds virtually every UT rebounding record with one notable exception. In a 1952 game against Georgia Tech, Herb Neff collected 36 rebounds, which stands as the SEC single-game record to this day.
Tormohlen’s top effort was 31, against Ole Miss in 1957. He holds eight of the top 10 UT single-game marks and 14 of the top 18.
Sixteen times in his 66 career games he had 22 or more rebounds.
Bernard King is the only Vol since Tormohlen to average double-figures in rebounds for three consecutive years. Consider that only two Vols have averaged double figures in a season in the past 30 years: Dyron Nix (10.1) in 1987 and Ian Lockhart (10.9) in 1990.
A two-time All-SEC pick, Tormohlen was UT’s captain as a senior in 1958-59, when he averaged 17.7 boards a game.
He went to play in the NBA, then served as an assistant coach for a number of years. Tormohlen’s long-time role as scout for the Los Angeles Lakers brought him back to Thompson-Boling Arena many times.
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Comments » 7
theoldbear writes:
Oh man, this takes me back! My dad used to call him Gene Tarpaulin, because he covered the boards like a tarp!
If I remember correctly Herb Neff also held the SEC High Jump record for many years(or at least the UT record). And another multi-sport Vol held it before him. Guy by the name of Doug Atkins, who played a little football as well as starting at center for the Basketvols.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Good read.
Geezers can identify.
bobbarbilly writes:
" Velly intelesting...."
BillVol writes:
These historical pieces are too short, but good reading anyhow.
newtonrail writes:
I was transferred to Huntingburg,Ind in '72, and actually lived in Holland, which was Big Gene's hometown. Less than 500 population, and I believe that was counting the cows and hogs, which were plentiful. My first and only real taste of country living.
volfan#207874 writes:
Good read. Was wondering what the stats on rebounding by Howard Baines (sp) would tally. Man, that dude, though not of the tree variety of men, could really get off the floor!
txsvol#372416 writes:
A name from the sports pages during my pre-shaving days, which I probably haven't thought of since. Thanks for the memories! SAVol
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