photograph
Catalog Number
2020.9.413Description
Photograph of Ed Burton in his Muskegon Heights High School #55 jersey, ca. 1956.History
Ed Burton was born in Blytheville, Arkansas on 8-13-1939. Ed played for the 1962-63 and the 1963-64 Oilers. Prior to playing for the Oilers Ed played ball for Muskegon Heights and Michigan State (1957-58). From 1958 to 1960 Ed was a member of the Harlem Globetrotters. He played in the NBA for the New York Knicks in 1961-62.Ed passed away on 5-28-2012.
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.