Don Asmonga
Donald A. "Don" Asmonga (born February 15, 1928) is a retired American basketball player. He played both professional baseball and for the NBA Baltimore Bullets.
An outstanding all-around athlete at Homestead High School (in Homestead, Pennsylvania), he led high school basketball team to a 28-0 record and the state championship in 1946. Under the tutelage of the legendary Chick Davies, the cagers went undefeated until the state final game, where Homestead lost to a strong well balanced Allentown High School aggregation. It was later revealed that Allentown had used ineligible players in their victory over Homestead and they were stripped of the title. Don Asmonga led his team in scoring and was chosen to All-State honors.
He played collegiately for Alliance College in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania. At Alliance College, he was a three sport letter winner for Coach Ben Pawlina, and a teammate of future long term Alliance Coach Ted Haluch. As a freshman, Asmonga shattered the Eagles' single season and high game scoring records, including a 49 point performance against Rochester. During his sophomore year at Alliance, he left school after signing a professional baseball contract with the Boston Red Sox.
Asmonga played professional baseball in the Red Sox system for several years. He played in Wellsville, New York in 1948. San Jose, California was the next stop in 1949. While there he pitched a no-hitter for 12 and a third innings in a game he entered in the fourth inning. The game was eventually called because of darkness after 20 innings with the teams tied 4-4. His next team was Birmingham, Alabama of the Southern Association. In 1950 he was optioned to Scranton of the Eastern League. In 1951 he played in Louisville. In 1952, while at spring training with the Red Sox, he re-injured his arm and was forced to give up baseball.
Don's career could have continued as he was a good hitter, but even playing first base he couldn't throw the ball.
Amazingly, Asmonga started another professional sports career. He was signed by the Baltimore Bullets (1953-54) of the NBA. NBA records indicate he played for 7 games.
Throughout the 1950s and early 1960s Asmonga worked as a milkman by day for Menzie Dairy of McKeesport and in the Duquesne Water Department at night. He resumed his college education in 1963, and in 1965 received his teaching degree in social studies at California State College.
Asmonga landed his first teaching job at the age of 39 in the newly formed Belle Vernon Area School District. Asmonga retired from his coaching duties in 1988 and retired from teaching in 1993.
Don married Bernice Staisey, sister to Allegheny County Commissioner and Judge Leonard Staisey, in the early 1950s. ... The couple has six children Mary Ann Knapp, Cathy Ciaccia, Danny, Emilie Gadd, Nancy Calleton and Donald. ...
Don is a member of the Western Pennsylvania Hall of Fame inducted in 1988. He is also a recipient of the Dapper Dan Award given in February 1979.