Oswald Tower
Inducted:
1959
Stats
Born
November 23, 1883
North Adams, Massachusetts
Died:
May 28, 1968
West Caldwell, New Jersey
Position:
Contributor
College:
Williams College
Oswald Tower was a key figure in establishing consistent rules and standards for basketball during the sport’s early growth. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959 as a contributor. Tower spent 50 years on the National Basketball Rules Committee, helping bring greater uniformity to a game that was once played under different rules in different regions.
From 1915 through 1959, he served as editor of the Official Basketball Guide and was the sport’s official rules interpreter. Tower also coached at Wilbraham Academy in Massachusetts and officiated high school football and basketball for more than 35 years.
His work extended beyond the court, as he helped explain, organize and promote the rules that allowed basketball to develop more consistently across the United States. In 1942, he received the Harold M. Gore Award for his outstanding contribution to basketball.
Tower's Awards and Honors
- Harold M. Gore Award, 1942
- 50-year member of the National Basketball Rules Committee
- Five decades of work interpreting and developing basketball rules
- Longtime editor of the Official Basketball Guide
- Officiated high school football and basketball for more than 35 years
NBA Position
As Administrator and Instructor
Phillips Academy Andover (1910–1949)
As Editor
National Basketball Rules Committee (1910-1960)
NBA Stats
Primary role:
Basketball administrator, instructor and rules authority
National Basketball Rules Committee:
1910–1960
Official Rules Interpreter:
1915–1960
Official Basketball Guide editor:
1915–1959
Wilbraham Academy coach:
1907–1910
High school officiating: More than
35 years