FROM MR. DAVID KILGORE & DR. WILLY RICE
Welcome to the Buckshot O’Brien Basketball Classic. I am thankful CCHS is able to host this tournament to honor the legacy of an inspiring man—Ralph “Buckshot” O’Brien. The motto for Calvary Christian Warrior Athletics is, “Play Like a Warrior, Live for Christ.” Warriors are noble men racing into battle for causes greater than their own lives. Warriors are known for their sacrifice, the greatest of all love laid on the line for the needs and lives of others. Buckshot O’Brien embodied a true modern-day Warrior, but not just in athletic competition. He knew there is a greater cause than what happens in athletic competition. That cause is a life devoted to Christ. Buckshot O’Brien made an impact on many through the game of basketball, but the greatest impact was his testimony for Christ.
MR. DAVID KILGORE HEAD OF SCHOOL
DR. WILLY RICE
SENIOR PASTOR
CALVARY CHURCH
I’m so thrilled that we can honor the legacy of longtime Calvary member Ralph “Buckshot” O’Brien with this basketball tournament. Nothing would have pleased him more. Buckshot was a phenomenal athlete, but he was an even better person. His Hall of Fame career at Butler University, and his professional basketball accomplishments, were only the foundation of life spent serving others. He was always giving back. He spent years developing athletic leagues in his hometown of Indianapolis, some of which continue to this day. He spent decades in Clearwater as a member of Calvary. He believed so strongly in the mission of Calvary Christian High School and the development of our athletic programs. If a man’s life is defined by what he gives rather than what he has, then Buckshot O’Brien’s life was a success by any measurement. I loved the man. I’m grateful for his legacy of service and I am so proud we can honor him and continue his example through the Buckshot O’Brien Basketball Invitational.
to the Buckshot O’Brien Basketball Classic on the campus of Calvary Christian High School. CCHS is pleased to host this tournament as we remember the legacy of Ralph “Buckshot” O’Brien, a true friend to our school. For some of you attending this tournament, you may not have heard of Buckshot O’Brien. For others, you remember this inspiring man who was a strong encourager with a joyful personality.
Either way, I hope you will take time to read the information about this man who loved his family, Jesus, Butler University, Calvary Church, and Calvary Christian High School.
Ralph “Buckshot” O’Brien had a rich family upbringing in Indianapolis, IN. He was not financially rich, but rich in all of the other ways. Buckshot was the youngest of 13 children in his family. He acquired his nickname in front of a depression-era grocery store that was a gathering place for children on Indianapolis’ Westside. The children would compete for a chance to win an apple or candy bar from the grocery store. There was one kid so small that he was always picked last in choose-up-sides games. The grocery store owner recognized him and would consistently say, “You will never be bigger than a buckshot.” The nickname was given, but Buckshot would not let it control his attitude and desire to play the game of basketball.
Buckshot graduated Washington High School where he led the city of Indianapolis in scoring as a senior. From high school, he went to Butler University where he was a star player for the Bulldogs. He was a skilled ball-handler and master of the two-hand set shot. He was the first Butler player to exceed 1,000 points, breaking the career record in his junior year. He averaged 18.3 points per game in his All-American season of 1949-50. Former Butler assistant coach Bob Dietz told him he would have averaged close to 30 points per game if the 3-point line had been used at the time.
Ralph “Buckshot” O’Brien became the first Butler player to score 1,000 career points. He earned four varsity letters from 1947 to 1950 and finished his career with 1,248 total points.
Buckshot was recruited by Miami University of Ohio. During his recruiting visit, the coach told Buckshot he would not offer him a scholarship because he was too short to play college basketball. Buckshot signed with Butler University who played in the same Conference as Miami. This meant Buckshot would play Miami eight times during his college career. Butler defeated Miami all eight times they played. After each game, Buckshot would ask the Miami coach, “Do you remember me?” The rejection at Miami and his acceptance at Butler was a catalyst to lead Buckshot to a great college career and a deep love for Butler University.
Buckshot had the same rejection in recruiting by the legendary Branch McCracken from Indiana University. Was Buckshot dejected? No, it was motivation that resulted in Butler winning the Indiana Classic Holiday Tournament over Notre Dame, Purdue, and Indiana with Buckshot being the top scorer in the tournament. The motivation for Buckshot was powerful for his team to beat anyone that suggested he was too short to play for them.
COLLEGE YEARS CONTINUED
Buckshot was only 5’ 8”, but his presence on the court was much larger. He had a great career at Butler University and left a legacy that is still known and respected by the University to this day. Buckshot’s final game as a Butler Bulldog was on March 9, 1950. His performance was one to be remembered forever by Bulldog fans. Buckshot scored 39 points – a school and arena record – in a 66-65 loss at Ohio State. During his four seasons, Butler was 60-31, including a 18-5 record in 194849. That season the Bulldogs reached 11th in the Associated Press poll – their highest ranking until 2007. Buckshot was inducted in the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987.
Buckshot was the only player from Butler University to play professional basketball until Gordon Hayward was drafted by the Utah Jazz in 2010. Think about this--for almost 60 years, Buckshot O’Brien was the only player from Butler University to play professional basketball. His time as a professional basketball player was only two years, but the league was different than it is now as the league was trying to gain stability and a fan base. His first year in the league was for the Indianapolis Olympians—a newly formed team for the NBA in the 1949-50 season. He then played one year for Baltimore Bullets. Buckshot is featured in the book, Playing Tall—a book written about the NBA players shorter than 5’ 10” and having played in the league.
Buckshot served as an insurance agent in his occupation. His success as an athlete carried over into his professional occupation. Buckshot was a life member of the Million Dollar Roundtable, the Life Insurance Industries recognition of top performing professionals. He led his primary company in sales four times and finished second 21 times. He was asked to speak at many industry conferences. Each time, he would share two things he lived by: "Don’t read your own news clippings because those and five dollars gets you the same cup of coffee at Starbucks," and, “Being second is good, but it just means you are the first loser.” He taught humility and was determined to be the best. In 1975, Buckshot was selected as one of only five past athletes in all NCAA sports to receive the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award. The award is given to those who have achieved a level of excellence in the 25 years past their college days. At the awards dinner in Washington D.C., Buckshot sat at the same head table with President Gerald Ford who was named the NCAA Theodore Roosevelt Award winner the same year. The following day, Buckshot, and his wife Doris, were the guests of President Ford at the White House for a personal tour.
Family was everything to Buckshot. It didn't take very long after being around him to know how much he loved his family. His family-first attitude extended into sports, church, and his career. Buckshot made a way for everyone around him to feel like they were in the family.
At Washington High School, Buckshot met Doris Tompkins. They became high school sweethearts and married in 1950. For the next 68 years, Buckshot’s love for his wife Doris was an example for all men to follow, and their marriage was a model for couples to follow. He demonstrated his love for Doris for 68 years until his passing to be with Jesus in 2018. Buckshot and Doris have three children; two sons, Mark and Randy, and a daughter, Kyle. The O’Brien children, with the loving direction of their mother and the competitive influence of their father, continued the tradition of success set in front of them. Both Mark and Randy attended Butler University where Mark played football and Randy earned a scholarship to play golf for the Bulldogs. After college, both followed their father’s mentoring and
excelled on their own in the financial services industry. Their daughter, Kyle, achieved athletic success and recognition as a high school All-American in both basketball and golf. In 1976, she was named to the first girls Indiana High School All-Star Team in basketball. Kyle decided to follow her passion for golf. She was recruited by many colleges, but chose to attend Southern Methodist University (SMU) where she excelled and was a NCAA National Champion individually, as well as leading her team to the national championship. Kyle was on the LPGA Women’s Tour for 8 years and was the LPGA Rookie of the year in 1981.
Doris O’Brien is still living and greets each day with a positive attitude. Her love for the Lord is evident to those who are around her. She lives in Waco, Texas with her daughter, Kyle, and her husband, Bill. Randy and his wife, Barb, split their time between Springfield, Illinois and Clearwater Beach, Florida. Mark went home to be with Jesus at the age of 44.
Tristan
