Background
He was born in Saint Louis, Missouri in 1932, and moved to Collinsville, Illinois around 1940.
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Charlie Kraak
Edit ProfileEducation
Michigan State University. United States Army Command and General Staff College. United States Army War College.
Career
Kraak, a 6"5" forward, became an All-state performer at Collinsville High School after growing six inches between his junior and senior years. He led Collinsville High to the Illinois state finals in his senior season. Indiana coach Branch McCracken recruited him to Indiana, where in his freshman season he came off the bench for a Hoosier team that went 16–6.
In his junior season, Kraak moved into the starting lineup at power forward alongside stars Don Schlundt and Bobby Leonard.
Kraak averaged 7.2 points and 10.7 rebounds per game as was frequently referred to as "the best rebounder in the conference" by coach McCracken. In Kraak"s senior season, the Hoosiers returned the bulk of their championship team
After graduation, Kraak was drafted by the Fort Wayne Pistons in the sixth round of the 1954 National Basketball Association draft (49th pick overall). He decided instead to join the United States. Army, where he had a distinguished 30-year career.
He was obtained a graduate degree from Michigan State University as well as degrees from the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Kraak died on February 16, 2014 at the age of 81.
Achievements
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The "Hurryin" Hoosiers," so named for their fast-paced style, won the 1953 National Collegiate Athletic Association championship, with Kraak scoring 17 points in the championship game against Kansas. The team again won the Big Ten, but was eliminated in the regional semifinals by in state rival Notre Dame.
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Born
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Died
February 16, 2014 (aged 81) -
Nationality
American