Robert James Calihan (August 2, 1918 – September 22, 1989) was an American

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appr ...

player and coach. Calihan played for the University of Detroit from 1937 to 1940. He led his team in scoring during each of his three seasons and became the school's first

All-America The All-America designation is an annual honor bestowed upon an amateur sports person from the United States who is considered to be one of the best amateurs in their sport. Individuals receiving this distinction are typically added to an All-Am ...

n honoree in 1939. After graduating in 1940, he played professionally in the National Basketball League for the

Detroit Eagles The Detroit Eagles were a professional basketball team based in Detroit, Michigan. Managed by Dutch Dehnert, they played in the National Basketball League from 1939 to 1941, then became a barnstorming team. The team folded during the 1942–43 ...

Chicago American Gears The Chicago American Gears were a National Basketball League (NBL) team who played from 1944 to 1947. The team also played in the Professional Basketball League of America (PBLA) in 1947–48 after leaving the NBL. About They are notable in prof ...

, Syracuse Nationals and other teams. He became Detroit Mercy's basketball coach in 1948, and remained in that position until 1969. Over his coaching career, he posted a 360–237 record, leading his team to three NIT appearances and an appearance in the

1962 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 1962 NCAA University Division basketball tournament involved 25 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball in the United States. It began on March 12, 1962, and en ...

. Detroit Mercy's Calihan Hall was named in his honor in 1977."Detroit U's coach Calihan dead". ''Chicago Tribune''. September 23, 1989. Sports, 5.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Calihan, Bob 1918 births 1989 deaths All-American college men's basketball players American men's basketball coaches American men's basketball players Basketball coaches from Michigan Basketball players from Detroit Chicago American Gears players Detroit Eagles players Detroit Mercy Titans athletic directors Detroit Mercy Titans men's basketball coaches Detroit Mercy Titans men's basketball players Flint Dow A.C.'s players Forwards (basketball) Guards (basketball) People from Perry, Iowa Professional Basketball League of America players Syracuse Nationals players