Robert M. Erickson

Robert Erickson
Robert M. Erickson
1917–2011

Category
Basketball
Year Inducted
2002

Known by the nicknames of Swede and Froley, Erickson was born in Youngstown, Ohio, on June 8, 1917 and moved to Jamestown when he was 4. Erickson played basketball at Jefferson Junior High School in 1933 and 1934 and then had an outstanding career in football and basketball at Jamestown High School in 1935 and 1936. He played for coach Denton Moon in both sports. He was captain and high scorer in basketball and was an All-Western New York selection in football as an end.

In non-school related activities in the 1930s, Erickson played football for Ariel Athletic Club. He also helped Art Metal Construction win the YMCA basketball championship in 1937-1938 and was a softball pitcher for Jamestown Moose and baseball pitcher for the Nordic Temple.

While playing in the YMCA toumament, Erickson was approached by Syracuse University, which had been scouting him in both basketball and football. He accepted a scholarship to Syracuse and was then sent to Folk Union Military Academy in Virginia.

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