page, newspaper
Catalog Number
2023.1.1Description
Laminated page of the Holland Sentinel from Sunday, 6-18-2006. The page contains an article about Don Cook's Oiler basketball team. At the top there is a team photo, a drawing of Don and a photo of Don accepting a trophy.At the bottom of the page there are several color photos of Don and his players attending the induction ceremony into the Zeeland Hall of Fame.
History
The Oilers (a.k.a. Texaco Oilers) were named after owner Don Cook's Texaco service station in Zeeland, MI. The team was part of the Midwest Professional Basketball League during the 1962-63 and 1963-64 seasons. They won the championship in 1962-63 defeating the Toledo Tartans.From the 1958-59 season through part of the 1961-62 season the team played their home games at Zeeland High School. A portion of the 1961-62 season was spent at Holland's Civic Center to accommodate the larger crowds.
The 1962-63 and 1963-64 seasons were played at the Civic Center.
Several players had experience playing in the NBA. A few even played for the Harlem Globetrotters. Ed Burton played for the Globetrotters from 1958-1960 before joining the NBA's New York Knicks in 1961. Burton then played on the 1962-63 and 1963-64 Oilers teams.
Frank Burks, a standout at the University of Wisconsin, played for the Globetrotters in 1960. He played with the Oilers during the 1962-63 and 1963-64 seasons.
Charles "Sweet Charlie" Brown played for the Globetrotters from 1958 to 1960 and joined the Oilers in 1961.