Ex-Dayton star keeps on playing

Phil Axelrod

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Jun 9, 2005

4:00 AM

Bill Chmielewski, who had four surgeries on his left knee a year ago, hasn't stopped playing basketball because he stopped too soon in college.

Chmielewski, 6 feet 10, was a one-season marvel at the University of Dayton, leading the Flyers to the 1962 NIT championship as the tournament MVP. Despite getting married and leaving school after his sophomore year, Chmielewski is a member of Dayton's All-Century team selected in 2004.

"That's what you did back then when you got married" said Chmielewski, 64, who has been in town this week as a member of the Hamilton Eagles who competed in the 60-64 age division at the Senior Olympics. "Sometimes, I wonder what I could have done with basketball if I had stayed in college, but I can't do anything about that now.

"[Playing only one year] still motivates me."

He laughed. "I guess I'll always be a trivia question," he said. "How do you spell C-H-M-I-E-L-E-W-S-K-I?"

He and his teammates from Hamilton, Ohio, situated between Cincinnati and Dayton, were eliminated from the tournament with a 42-30 loss against New Jersey yesterday in the opening round of the single-elimination playoffs at Petersen Events Center.

Hamilton's overall record was 4-2.

Chmielewski and a couple New Jersey big guys in the neighborhood of 6-8, 250 pounds, spent most of their time bumping and grinding in the pivot during the 3-on-3, 24-minute halfcourt game. After his short baseline jumper clanked off the front rim, Chmielewski grunted in disgust. Later, he stretched both arms wide with palms up when he pleaded his case with the referee.

"We're out there competing," he said.

But his sweeping hook shots weren't falling, his turnaround jumpers kept coming up short and his reverse layups rolled out. "I stunk up the joint," he said. "I can play better than that."

Chmielewski still made both of his free throws with a bizarre little hitch in his delivery before he releases the ball. He bends over and rolls the ball in both hands near his left hip. Then he steps back, hesitates and shoots.

"I started doing that about a year ago. It's like a golfer who has the yips when he's putting," he said. "It helps me concentrate and focus."

With a head of white hair, a full mustache, wide bony shoulders and long arms with sharp elbows, Chmielewski is a ringer for Phil Jackson, the former coach of the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls. Jackson is two inches shorter and a couple years younger than Chmielewski, who continues to work as an electrical contractor.

"I get that all the time," Chmielewski said of the comparison with Jackson. "People stop me all the time. I'm a little hard of hearing, that comes with age, and I'll turn around when someone yells 'Phil' because it sounds so much like 'Bill' to me."

Despite only one season in college and a two-year layoff, Chmielewski was selected by the Cincinnati Royals in the second round of the 1964 NBA draft. He was one of the last players cut by the Royals and didn't stick with the Detroit Piston the following year.

"It's probably an ego thing that helps keep me going because I want to see how I can do against guys who were in the pros," he said, smiling. "It's always fun seeing these guys at the different tournaments."

Chmielewski, who has played in a number of age-group events throughout the country this year, fondly recalls a tournament in Utah in 1997 when he went up against LeRoy Ellis, a former All-America center at St. John's and longtime NBA player. Ellis was the opposing center when Dayton defeated St. John's, 73-67, in the championship game of the 1962 NIT.

"I haven't seen him in 35 years and I'm thinking, oh my God, he's been waiting for me all this time," Chmielewski said. "We had a good time. I think we came out about even."

When he was asked how much longer he hopes to play basketball, Chmielewski said, "Until I can't play anymore. I'll know when it's time."

NOTES -- Pittsburghers have done well in Senior Olympics bicycling, with Edwin Torres of Bethel Park winning the age 55-59 gold medal yesterday in the 20K in North Park, trailed by silver medalist Herman "Chip" Kamin of Shadyside. Skip Rogers of Cranberry won a gold medal in 10K cycling Tuesday in the 50-54 age group. ... Games officials made no further comment yesterday on the condition of a male cyclist who was transported to a hospital Tuesday during the competition at North Park. The spokeswoman cited confidentiality laws.

John Beale, Post-Gazette photos
Bill Chmielewski, left, playing for the Hamilton Ohio Eagles, goes after a rebound in a Senior Olympics game against the New Jersey All-Stars at the Petersen Events Center. Chmielewski, 6 feet 10, played for the University of Dayton and led the Flyers to an NIT championship in 1962.
Click photo for larger image.