1956- NBA Western Conference Champs Play at Knox College

Knox College was the host to an intrasquad scrimmage of the St. Louis Hawks on September 27, 1956. Knox Memorial Gym had opened its doors in the early 1950’s, and was one of the nicest small college gyms in Illinois. 

The Hawks were in St. Louis at this time. They had moved around a lot. Buffalo (1945-6), Moline (1946-51), Milwaukee (1951-5), St. Louis (1955-68), and Atlanta (1968- present). 

Headed into the 1956-7 season, the Hawks had made a dramatic trade. They traded their #3 overall pick- Bill Russell to the Celtics for another rookie, Cliff Hagan and Ed Macauley. Macauley was in his 7th season. “Easy Ed” was viewed a strong veteran but also a draw as he had played at St. Louis University. 

Some felt that part of the trade might have been a desire of the Hawks to trade an African-American away and get two white players back. At this time, St. Louis did not have African-Americans on their roster. St. Louis would later draft Lenny Wilkins (1960), Cleo Hill (1961), and Zelmo Beatty (1962), all African-Americans. 

During the Hawks visit to Galesburg, the star of the team was LSU product, Bob Pettit. Pettit had joined the Hawks in the 1954-5 season, so he was entering his 3rd season. 

When they visited Knox, their coach was the legendary Red Holtzman. He was fired in mid-season of 1956-7 but later won the NBA title with the Knicks. 

The Hawks roster included Pettit, Macauley, Hagan, Slater Martin, Jack Coleman, Willie Nauls, Jack McMahon, Alex Hannum, and Norm Stewart. Hannum would finish the season as player-coach. He eventually led the ‘76ers to the NBA title with Wilt Chamberlain as his key player. 

After their scrimmage at Knox, the 1956-7 Hawks went onto an unimpressive 34-38 record. Their 34-38 record tied with Minneapolis Lakers and Fort Wayne Pistons for first place in the Western Conference of the NBA. The Hawks won the Western Conference play-off and faced the Celtics in the NBA Finals. The Hawks lost to the Celtics 4-3, including a double OT loss in game 7. 

Bob Pettit finished second to Bob Cousy in the MVP voting for 1957 season by a slim vote of 23-21.

The Hawks won the NBA title in 1957. Starting in 1958, the Celtics and Bill Russell won the next 8 titles. 

So on that visit to Knox in September of 1956, 1,500 Galesburg fans got to see some of the best players in the NBA.