Jack Eskridge

Who was Jack Eskridge?

John I. "Jack" Eskridge was a professional basketball player who spent one season in the Basketball Association of America as a member of the Chicago Stags and the Indianapolis Jets. Eskridge was born on January 21, 1924 in Valley Falls, Kansas. He attended William Chrisman High School where he played on the school's basketball team. After graduating high school he began attending Graceland University where he played on the football and basketball teams. He was later inducted into the college's athletic hall of fame. He joined the United States Marine Corps during World War II where he served in the Pacific Theater. After Eskridge was relieved of duty he started attending the University of Kansas and played on the school's basketball team. Once his professional playing career was over he coached high school teams until he joined the Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team as their equipment manager and assistant coach from 1954–59. During his tenure, he recruited Wilt Chamberlain. In 1959 he joined the Dallas Cowboys football team as their equipment manager. He was credited with designing the Cowboys' star logo. Cliff Harris, who played safety on the Cowboys, recalled a story where he requested a number change on his jersey and Eskridge told him, "Hell, boy, it doesn’t really matter [...] you ain’t making the team anyway". Harris went on to have a nine-year career with the Cowboys and is featured on the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor. After Eskridge's career with Dallas he moved to Independence, Missouri where he coached basketball and taught high school. Eskridge died in Independence on February 11, 2012 at the age of 88.