Al Podwell played high school basketball in Beloit, Wisconsin and then entered the University of Wisconsin in the fall of 1933, Poswell played freshmen basketball at Wisconsin, but was cut from the varsity team as a sophomore.In 1936, Podwell joined the House of David touring basketball team. The House of David religious community was established in Benton Harbor, Michigan in 1903 by Benjamin Purnell and his wife Mary for gathering the 12 lost tribes of Israel for an “in gathering” to await the Millennium. Purnell was a sports enthusiast, and the House of David started playing baseball around 1913 as a weekend activity. By the 1920’s, the team was barnstorming around the country, earning money for the colony and using the games as a way to introduce people to their cause and recruit potential members. The basketball team was created in the mid-1920’s. By the 1930’s, the team was entirely stocked by paid professionals who were required to grow a beard just like House members. Podwell spent five seasons with House of David playing up to 150 games per season. By the time Podwell joined the team, the squad had added comedy routines to increase their gate appeal. The House of David team operated on a budget far below that of the more famous touring teams of the era, like the Celtics, Rens and Globetrotters. The players lacked the skills of the better known touring teams and House of David team usually visited much smaller towns.
| AL PODWELL |
Height: |
6:02 |
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Weight: |
180 |
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College: |
Wisconsin(Frosh)’34 |
| Alvin Peter Podwell |
Born: Jan 16,1914 |
Died: Dec, 1946 |
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Hometown: |
Beloit, Wi. |
| Alvie Podwell |
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REGULAR SEASON RECORD |
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| 1934-35 |
Wisconsin (Frosh) |
College |
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| 1934-35 |
Beloit Graduates |
Indep |
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| 1934-35 |
Beloit Faries |
Indep |
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| 1935-36 |
Indep |
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| 1936-37 |
House of David |
Indep |
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| 1937-38 |
House of David |
Indep |
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| 1938-39 |
House of David |
Indep |
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| 1939-40 |
House of David |
Indep |
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| 1940-41 |
Beloit Pros |
Indep |
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POST SEASON RECORD |
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| Year |
Team |
League |
GA |
FGM |
FTM |
FTA |
PCT. |
AST |
PTS |
AVG |
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| 1938-39 |
House of David |
WBT |
1 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
.000 |
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5 |
5.0 |
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| 1939-40 |
House of David |
WBT |
1 |
0 |
3 |
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3 |
3.0 |
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Major League Totals |
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2 |
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0 |
0.0 |
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