Career
A 5"10" guard who did not attend college, Kappen played for the Boston Celtics and the Pittsburgh Ironmen during the 1946-1947 Bachelor of Applied Arts season. He averaged 6.5 points per game during the season on 23.8% shooting. Kappen and Celtics teammate Connie Simmons were the first players in the Bachelor of Applied Arts (later known as the National Basketball Association) who did not have any college experience.
Kappen had previously played in the American Basketball League for the New York Gothams and Brooklyn Gothams.
Celtics Puerto Rico director Howie McHugh said that Kappen "was one of the few guys who were serious about playing". However, Kappen was traded midseason to the Pittsburgh Ironmen for Moe Becker, who had become available after a falling-out with his coach.
