Professional Basketball in Camden NJ

When James Naismith, a physical education instructor, was asked to create an indoor game that would provide an “athletic distraction” for a rowdy class through the brutal New England winter, he never would have imagined the world-wide impact of the game he would invent. Under orders from Dr. Luther Gulick, head of physical education at the School for Christian Workers (now Springfield College), Naismith had 14 days to create a game for a rowdy group of 18 students. Naismith came up with the game we know as basketball.

Basketball became almost an immediate sensation, and within seven years of its invention, the first professional basketball league was organized, the National Basketball League. Camden NJ in the 1890s was a place that men with ideas for new and exciting things would come, a place where the latest inventions would not only be developed, but would be produced and gain world-wide fame. In many ways, Camden of these years could be compared to the Silicon Valley of the 1990s. Within a span of twenty years, new technologies such as the condensed soup made by the Campbell company and Eldridge Johnson’s Victrola, as well as less well remembered inventions at the Warren Webster Company, the Esterbrook and C. Howard Hunt Pen Companies, Acme Staple and others put the words “Made in Camden, New Jersey” probably in the mouths of more people who did not speak English than did!

It was only natural then, when the entrepreneurs who organized the National Basketball League looked for places for the new sport to be played, Camden was among the first chosen. The Camden Electrics, under owner and player-coach William E. “Billy” Morgenweck, had organized and were playing the game as early as 1895.

The Electrics were one of the six original professional teams when the league began play in the 1898–1899 season. Of the six teams, besides Camden, three were in Philadelphia, one in Millville NJ, and the other in Trenton. Two of the Philadelphia teams folded prior to New Years Eve 1898, but the other four completed the season, with the Trenton Nationals winning the first championship with an 18-2-1 record. Camden finished 11 games back, with 7 wins against 13 defeats and a tie.

*Germantown played their last game on 29Dec98 and dropped out of the league shortly afterwards. **Hancock failed to show for a game in Camden on 31Dec98. Shortly afterwards a letter dated 28Dec98 was received by the League from Hancock who withdrew from the league. On 07Jan99 a league meeting was held in which the Hancock franchise was officially annulled. ***Since the loss of the Hancock franchise left the city of Philadelphia with just one team, the “Big Five of the Clover Wheelmen” were ordered to rename their team “the Big Five of Philadelphia” for the balance of the season.

The following season was more stable for the new league. The New York Wanderers joined, and only one team, out of Chester PA dropped out, and they were immediately replaced by the Millville team, which had originally elected not to participate that season. Trenton and Millville proving again to be the best teams in the loop, with Trenton gaining a disputed championship. Camden opened the season at home with a win over Bristol, but they finished the season only 2 games over the .500 mark.

*Chester dropped out during the first half. **Millville joined the league on 3Jan00. NBL PLAYOFF — 2nd half: 28Apr00 at Bristol — Millville 18, Trenton 13 (game protested by Trenton since Millville used Hilly Wallace who was ineligible to play for them — League President Fogel ruled that game was to be replayed). 05May00 at Camden — Trenton 4, Millville 0 forfeit (Millville refused to play game since they wanted to use Wallace). 08May00 at Camden — Trenton 22, Millville 19. NBL CHAMPIONSHIP: Trenton wins 2nd half playoff and thus wins both season halves, making championship series unnecessary.

The National Basketball League began the 1900–1901 season with an expanded schedule of 32 games, and seven teams. Of the seven teams, six had participated in league play before; the only new entry, from Burlington NJ, failed to complete the season. With 5 of the seven teams finishing with records of .500 or better, NBL fans saw good competitive play from most teams throughout the season. In this season the Camden team also went by the handle of Camden Skeeters, apparently after what many call the New Jersey state bird, the mosquito! With the split season dropped, no playoffs were necessary, and the New York Wanderers captured the League title by three games.

*Burlington dropped out during the season.

*Totals for Charlton reflect games played for Philadelphia.

The 1901–1902 season may have been the most successful year of the National Basketball League in terms of stability. The schedule expanded once again to 40 games, every game save one was played as scheduled, no teams dropped out, and there was only one really weak team in the league. Camden finally became more than a .500 team, and lost the league crown to the Bristol Pile Drivers by only 3 games.

*Cramer’s totals are for games with Camden and Philadelphia Phillies.

1902–1903 was the season that brought Camden its first professional sports title, a season that would forever place the city as the home of one of the greatest professional teams of all times. The league had returned to the split season format, but it hardly mattered, as Coach Billy Morgenweck’s Camden Electrics cruised to 36 wins against only 9 defeats, a winning percentage of .800. Coach Morgenweck’s brother, Frank “Pop” Morgenweck, a future member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, was a team owner and coach that year. No playoffs were necessary, needless to say.

*21Dec02 Philadelphia resigns from league. Phillies Manager Frank Morgenweck purchases the Wilmington franchise from Charles Kraus. **30Dec02 Burlington resigns from league. Burlington Manager Reber purchases the Bristol franchise and has the former Bristol team represent Burlington. NBL CHAMPIONSHIP: As Camden won both halves of the season they were awarded the NBL pennant and cup without the necessity of any playoff games.

*First Half Stats only.

The National Basketball League, however, fared less well than its best team. Two teams dropped out before the season finished. The Burlington team was doing so poorly that its owner-coach, Frank Reber, fired his entire team, purchased the Bristol franchise and used Bristol’s players to represent Burlington. There was another mid-season ownership change as Frank Morgenweck disbanded his team, in order to purchase the Wilmington DE, ball club.

Things did not go very well during the off season in 1903 in the National Basketball League. Only five teams elected to play that year; more importantly, New York, Burlington, and Wilmington, all with experienced owners and coaches, failed to return. The league began the season with only five teams. Trenton dropped out on December 26, 1903, and Camden left on December 31st. The National Basketball League disbanded on January 4, 1904, not without controversy, and at least one law suit followed its demise. Billy Morgenweck was subsequently sued by investors in the team, including local businessman Sig Schoenagle.

*Trenton resigned from league on 26Dec03. **Camden resigned from league on 31Dec03. League disbanded Jan04.

After the dissolution of the Eastern League, the Camden Electrics carried on as a semi-pro team. Pro basketball would return to Camden in 1910 in a reborn Eastern Basket Ball League. The Camden Electrics, however, were not a part of the new league, the new team being the Camden Alphas. The Electrics were, however, active in semipro circles, and from the 1906–1907 season through the 1908–1909 season lost only one game, with a club featuring Horace Parker, Louis Urban, Frank Eames, Louis Ballinger, Earl Scott, and future major league baseball player and coach Russell “Lena” Blackburne. They were still active as late as 1914, when they went 16-3-1, won the New Jersey independent championship and came within a game of winning a Pennsylvania championship.

Although the Eastern League folded, basketball remained quite popular in the area and elsewhere. A professional league was organized in Philadelphia, but no Camden franchise ever joined this league. Besides the semi-pro Camden Electrics, a number of other teams were organized. One of the most successful and enduring of these were the Camden Alphas, sponsored by the Alpha Club, a social club headquartered on Broadway in South Camden. The Alphas and other teams such as the Third Regiment NJ National Guard team operated in a loose confederation of independent teams. The Alphas were Camden city champions during the 1909–1910 season, and joined the Eastern Basket Ball League the next year.

The Alpha Club retained ownership of the team until January of 1915, when they sold it to a group headed by Camden veterinarian Dr. Charles B. Helm. The Alphas finished in a three-way tie for first in 1913–1914, losing in the playoffs, and in a two-way tie the next season, where no playoff was held. They were pretty much a .500 team through the beginning of the 1917–1918 season, when play was suspended due to America’s involvement in World War I. During these years the Alphas’ star player was Jackie Adams. Other mainstays included Roy Steele, Jimmy Brown, Eddie Dolin, Eddie Ferat, and Neil Deighan.

The Eastern Basket Ball League resumed play in 1919, with Dolin, Steele, and Neil Deighan returning. New players included James “Soup” Campbell, Joe Hyde, Sam Lennox, Dave Kerr and Rich Deighan, Neil’s younger brother. Re-named, the Camden Crusaders totally dominated the league, winning both the first and second halves and eliminating a need for a playoff. Campbell led the league in scoring, with Dolin, Steele, and Kerr also being among the league’s top 10.

The Crusaders were good in 1920–1921, but not good enough, finishing one game out of first place in both half seasons. The team was again renamed for the 1921–1922 season, and as the Camden Skeeters, they again were good but not the best, finishing second in both halves once again. The 1922–1923 season looked to be more of the same, as the Skeeters were second in the first half. Sadly, with only three games played in the second half, the league suspended operations.

Interestingly enough, five of the 1919–1920 championship team became mainstays in the bar and restaurant business in Camden for many years after their sporting days were over. Neil Deighan built the establishment known since the 1950s as The PUB, which is still thriving on the Airport Circle in Pennsauken 85 years after that championship season. Roy Steele had a bar on Carman Street east of Broadway for years, built a floating nightclub on the Cooper River, and a bar and restaurant at the Jersey shore. Joe Hyde took over his father’s bar in the old Eighth Ward, Soup Campbell had a spot just off of Federal Street, and Sam Lennox was involved at the old Hudson Tavern.

After two seasons off, the Eastern Basketball League returned for the 1925–1926 season, but was by this time pretty much a semi-pro organization. The Camden team went 1-11 in the first half and did not play at all in the second. After another two-year hiatus, a reorganized EBL returned for the 1929–1930 season. The Camden team featured one of the Deighans, Joe Hyde, and Sam Lennox, all past their primes and was arguably the worst team in the league. They were somewhat better during the 1930–1931 season but were again awful in their final year, 1931–1932. Another Camden team played during the 1934–1935 season and were the second-half champions, losing in the playoffs to the Philadelphia Phillies, who were not affiliated with the baseball club. During these years players of note included Bart Sheehan, Ed Lobley, and Grover “Worm” Wearshing. The Eastern League folded after that. Pro basketball would not return to Camden for over 25 years, when the Camden Bullets arrived.

Scores of downtown basketball bugs will accompany the local Eastern League team to Cooper Battalion Hall, Philadelphia, this evening, and root for Adams and his colleagues to atone for their recent defeat by walloping Greystock.

Camden Post-Telegram, December 11, 1914 — full PDF

WILLIAM E. “BILLY” MORGENWECK was born September 9, 1869 in New York State. He was, with a relation, Frank “Pop” Morgenweck, one of the organizers of the first basketball league in the United States in the 1890s, the National Basketball League. Billy Morgenweck took to the then-new game as well, as an owner and player-coach of the Camden Electrics. The Electrics, paced by star guard Charles Bossert, were one of the top teams of the early 1900s, playing at the old Sixth Regiment Armory at West and Mickle Streets. The 1902-03 Electrics won 36 times against only 9 defeats. As Camden won both halves of the season they were awarded the NBL pennant and cup without the necessity of any playoff games. He also coached Charlie Newcomb, who went on to fame as a trap shooter. The league folded during the 1903-04 season. Billy Morgenweck was subsequently sued by investors in the team, including local businessman Sig Schoenagle.

After the breakup of the NBL, Billy Morgenweck left the sport, but returned as coach of the Camden Alphas in the Eastern Basketball League in the 1910s, tying for first in the league in 1913-14 and 1914-15. By 1920 he owned a property at 17 Broadway, near Federal Street, in Camden, where he lived and operated a tailor’s shop, with wife Margaret and son William P. Morgenweck.

Billy Morgenweck passed away on March 9, 1930. He was survived by his wife Margaret and son William P. Morgenweck, who owned a dyeing factory. Billy Morgenweck was buried at Harleigh Cemetery in Camden NJ.

1909-10 to 1917-18, 1919-20 to 1922-23. Contributed by John Grasso and Robert Bradley of the Association for Professional Basketball Research.

1909-10 to 1917-18, 1919-20 to 1922-23. Contributed by John Grasso and Robert Bradley of the Association for Professional Basketball Research.

*Elizabeth was replaced by Princeton 18Dec08 who assumed their 0-7 record. **Sixth Regiment moved to Germantown 4Jan10. EBL PLAYOFF: 22Mar10 at Trenton — Trenton 34, Reading 18. 24Mar10 at Reading — Reading 29, Trenton 24. 25Mar10 at Trenton — Trenton 33, Reading 24.

WORLD SERIES OF BASKETBALL [DeNeri — EL, McKeesport — CBL]: 1Apr11 at DeNeri (Philadelphia) — McKeesport 33, DeNeri 22. 8Apr11 at DeNeri (Philadelphia) — McKeesport 35, DeNeri 21. 12Apr11 at Pittsburgh — McKeesport 42, DeNeri 22. 15Apr11 at Pittsburgh — McKeesport 57, DeNeri 20.

EBL CHAMPIONSHIP: 6Apr12 at Trenton — Trenton 30, Jasper 13. 11Apr12 at Jasper (Philadelphia) — Jasper 28, Trenton 22. 19Apr12 at Trenton — Trenton 19, Jasper 15.

PLAYOFF SERIES FOR EASTERN TITLE [Reading — EBL vs. Troy — NYSL]: 1Apr13 at Reading — Reading 38, Troy 24. 2Apr13 at Reading — Reading 33, Troy 16. 8Apr13 at Troy — Troy 28, Reading 14. 9Apr13 at Troy — Troy 47, Reading 13. 19Apr13 at Reading — Reading 31, Troy 29.

EBL PLAYOFF SERIES: 23Mar14 at Trenton — Trenton 30, Camden 24. 25Mar14 at Camden — Camden 34, Trenton 22. 26Mar14 at Jasper — Jasper 42, Camden 18. 27Mar14 at Trenton — Jasper 24, Trenton 20. 28Mar14 at Camden — Camden 33, Jasper 24. 30Mar14 at Jasper — Jasper 29, Trenton 20.

EBL PLAYOFF SERIES: 23Mar15 at Camden — Camden 45, Reading 35. 24Mar15 at Reading — Reading 52, Camden 29. Third game not played as teams couldn’t agree on site.

WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIPS [Greystock — EBL, Paterson — IBL, Wilkes-Barre — PSL]: 7Apr16 at Greystock — Greystock 38, Paterson 16. 8Apr16 at Paterson — Paterson 30, Greystock 17. Third game scheduled at Greystock but Paterson declined to play and Greystock claimed forfeit victory. 12Apr16 at Wilkes-Barre — Wilkes-Barre 31, Paterson 22. 15Apr16 at Paterson — Wilkes-Barre 22, Paterson 17.

EBL CHAMPIONSHIP: 21Mar17 at Camden — Jasper 30, Greystock 26. 26Mar17 at Camden — Greystock 35, Jasper 17. 30Mar17 at Camden — Greystock 23, Jasper 21.

The league suspended play on 03Dec17. 1918–19: No season due to World War I.

*North Philadelphia dropped out during the first half. No championship series necessary since Camden won both halves.

*Newark was dropped from the league 20Nov20 with a record of 0-5 and was replaced by Coatesville who assumed their record. EBL FIRST HALF PLAYOFF: Reading 27, Trenton 19. EBL CHAMPIONSHIP: At Germantown — Germantown 30, Reading 14. At Reading — Germantown 30, Reading 25.

***Scranton dropped out. **Philadelphia dropped out. *Harrisburg transferred to the New York Whirlwinds 16Nov21 who were dropped by the league on 19Dec21 and replaced by the New York Celtics during the first half. EBL CHAMPIONSHIP: 31Mar22 at Trenton — New York 24, Trenton 20. 1Apr22 at New York — Trenton 22, New York 17. Apr22 at Camden — New York 27, Trenton 22.

The league disbanded on 18Jan23. **The Atlantic City Sandpipers were replaced by the Atlantic City Celtics who dropped out during the first half. *Reading dropped out during the first half of the season.

York and Brooklyn Visitations Seen as Sixth Club Possibility

Either the Brooklyn Visitations or York (Pa.) clubs may be admitted into the Eastern Basketball League to round out a six-club circuit.

This was learned at the reorganization meeting of the league last night in Philadelphia after it became definitely known that Reading will not enter the race this season and that Trenton has been counted out of it as a possibility.

Curly Christian, manager of the Reading Bears last season, announced that the club is unable to secure a hall for the team, while it was learned that efforts to place a team in Trenton also failed. It was then brought out that both York and Brooklyn Visitations might look favorably on a chance to enter the circuit, and it is understood that the league will make overtures to the managers of both clubs.

The addition of the Brooklyn Visitations or York would be welcomed by the circuit, as it is understood that both clubs can play Sunday basketball and their ability to cope with the other teams in the league is well known.

Camden, Bridgeton, Sphas, Wilmington and the Philadelphia Moose posted franchise money at the meeting last night, after William Scheffer was re-elected president of the organization. Caddy Franklin was again named secretary, and Ben Emery was elected vice-president.

Playing nights at home for the various clubs also were set. Camden and Wilmington drew Wednesday nights, the Sphas, last year’s champions, are at home Thursday nights; Moose, formerly the Philadelphia Elks, have Saturday night and Bridgeton will be at home on Tuesday nights.

No definite date has as yet been set for the start of the first half, but another meeting will be held on Friday night when a schedule committee will be appointed.

League to Open Season November 9; Bridgeton in Opener Here on 11th

Camden Strengthened

Howard Wood’s Jasper Club, of Kensington, was admitted to the Eastern Basketball League last night, to round out a six-club circuit.

Jasper, one of the standbys of the Eastern League a decade or more ago, was given the preference by the Eastern League moguls over several applicants for the vacant berth at the final meeting of the circuit in Philadelphia last night.

The team managed by Wood, former Hancock star of the old Philadelphia League, is expected to be one of the strongest in the circuit. While Wood gave no inkling to his possible roster, it is reported that several of last season’s Reading players, notably Teddy Kearns and George Glascoe, will be in the line-up as well as several other stars well known to local fandom.

The season will open on Monday, November 10, when Philadelphia Moose (formerly the Elks) invade Kensington to test the new Jasper team. The following night the champion Sphas travel to Bridgeton, while the Norman Cochrane–Jimmy Brown coached Camden “Skeeters” will open their season here on Wednesday night of the same week when Bridgeton is entertained.

The remainder of the first week’s schedule finds Jasper invading Wilmington on Wednesday night, the Sphas entertaining Jasper on Thursday night, and Camden stacking up against the Moose on Friday night at Broad and Thompson Streets, Philadelphia.

The remainder of the first half schedule will be released shortly by Caddy Franklin, league secretary.

With the brilliant Joey Sheehan and “Skin” Bollerman added to the already fine Camden team, the Skeeters appear due for a great campaign on the wooden way.

The local pilots announced last night that the opening lineup will probably have Eddie Lobley and “Sure Shot” Johnson as the forwards; Jacobs, center, with Joe Sheehan and Bill Bergen at the defensive positions. Bart Sheehan and Bollerman also are available and either may get the last minute call for starting duty.

Many thanks to Robert Bradley, John Grasso, and the members of the Association for Professional Basketball Research, for help with this page — and for love of the game!