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History
The Owensboro Boys Club opened in 1967 in a building donated by Trinity Episcopal Church. The unit was soon renamed in honor of Cliff Hagan, an Owensboro native and standout basketball player at the University of Kentucky. Over the years, the club grew and changed locations until in 1993, the board decided to open the programs and services to girls. The club currently operates four locations.
Who is Cliff Hagan?
Bio: Cliff Hagan possessed one of basketball's most devastating hook shots, and combined his quickness and strength to score 14,870 points in 13 professional seasons with the St. Louis Hawks and the ABA's Dallas Chaparrals. Hagan, who starred under Hall of Fame coach Adolph Rupp at the University of Kentucky, was an All-America in 1952 and 1954. As a collegian, Hagan led the Wildcats to an 86-5 record and a 25-0 record in 1954. In 1954, Hagan averaged an astounding 24 ppg and 13.5 rpg and scored a school record 51 points against Temple. In 1974, Hagan was selected to the Southeastern Conference All-Time Team.
Upon graduation, the Boston Celtics drafted Hagan. After two years of military service, the Celtics traded Hagan, along with Ed Macauley to the St. Louis Hawks for the draft rights to Bill Russell. During a 10-year NBA career with the St. Louis Hawks, Hagan scored 13,447 points (18.0 ppg), played in five All-Star Games, and was chosen to the All-NBA Second Team twice. A pure shooter, Hagan scored an amazing 26 points in the fourth quarter against the Knicks in 1958. During his 10-year NBA tenure, Hagan spearheaded the Hawks to five Western Division titles and to the NBA championship in 1958. He completed his 13-year pro career as a player/coach of the ABA Dallas Chaparrals.Cliff and wife Martha have now retired to Florida but return to hometown Owensboro often.
Enshrined:
Born:
Height:
Weight:Basketball Hall of Fame As a player on May 1, 1978
December 9, 1931 in Owensboro, KY
6-foot-4
215 pounds
High School:
Owensboro Senior High (KY) (1945-49)
High School Playing Highlights:
Played four years
All-District, All-Region, All-City, All-Conference, All-State (1947, 1948, 1949)
Outstanding Kentucky High School Player (1949)
All-American (1949)
Led the Red Devils to the state championship (1949)
Scored a then-record 41 points in the final championship game, a record that stood for 15 years
Member, First Fifteen All-American High School basketball team
College:
University of Kentucky, bachelors degree (graduated 1954)
Washington University, masters degree (graduated 1958)
College Playing Highlights:
Led Wildcats to an 86-5 record, including a 25-0 record in 1954
NCAA championship (1951)
His undefeated 1954 team elected to not participate in the national tournament
Two-time Consensus All-American and All-Southeastern Conference (1952, 1954)
Averaged 24 ppg and 13.5 rpg and scored 51 points against Temple (1954)
Team MVP (1954)
Enshrined in Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame (1974) and UK Alumni Association Hall of Distinguished Alumni
Named to Southeastern Conference All-Time Team, Orlando Sentinel All-Time Southeastern Conference First Team and All-Time collegiate player in Kentucky by Inside Kentucky Sports magazine (1974)
Military:
U.S. Air Force, Andrews Air Force Base (1954-56)
Military Playing Highlights:
Two Worldwide Air Force basketball championships (1954, 1955)
Two-time All-Service (1954, 1955)
Pro:
NBA St. Louis Hawks (1956-66)
ABA Dallas Chaparrals, player/coach (1967-70)
Pro Playing Highlights:
All-NBA Second Team (1958, 1959)
NBA All Star (1958-62)
All-Pro (1957-62)
NBA championship (1958)
Hawks were five-time NBA Western Division champions (1957-61)
Scored 26 points in the fourth quarter against the Knicks (February 1958)
Scored 12,433 points in 672 games with the Hawks
Hit over .790 from the free throw line seven years in a row
Held NBA record for most field goals scored in a single quarter (12)
Scored 13,447 points (18.0 ppg) in 10 years with the NBA
Led team in playoff scoring for several years
Scored 40 points in opening game for Dallas in the new league
Played in first ABA All-Star Game and was first player to play in All-Star Game of two different leagues
Retired only 92 points shy of a career total of 15,000 points
Pro Coaching:
ABA Dallas Chaparrals, player/coach (1967-70)
Pro Coaching Highlights:
Texas Sports Writers Association Professional Coach of the Year (1968)
