John H. Lutsch (1977) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

John H. Lutsch

Induction:
1977
Class:
1943

1939-43

A 1938 graduate of Canton McKinley High School, John Lutsch was one of the all-time greats in high school basketball and referred to as a pioneer of the jump shot.

Lutsch played four years of outstanding basketball for the University of Akon. In his senior year, as captain of the team, he led the Zips to an 18-3 season and only competition in the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) in Kansas, losing in the first round to York, NB.

Not only a fine player, Lutsch was also great competitor. Coach Russ Beichly remembered in January of 1943 Akron played at Ohio U with 2 minutes left before the half, the Zips were up 33 to 24. Beichly sent Frank “Whitey” Wahl to give Lutsch a breather, “He rebelled at being taken out at the crucial point in the game and refused to sit on the bench, instead into the nearby bleachers.”