Connie Kunzmann
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 3, 1956 Spencer, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | February 7, 1981 (aged 24) Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Everly (Everly, Iowa) |
| College | Wayne State (Nebraska) (1974–1978) |
| Playing career | 1978–1981 |
| Position | Forward / center |
| Number | 44 |
| Career history | |
| 1978–1980 | Iowa Cornets |
| 1980–1981 | Nebraska Wranglers |
| Career highlights | |
| |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
Connie Renea Kunzmann (July 3, 1956 – February 7, 1981) was a professional basketball player who was a member of the Iowa Cornets and the Nebraska Wranglers in the Women's Professional Basketball League (WBL) from 1978 to 1981. Kunzmann made the transition from halfcourt six-on-six basketball in high school to the traditional five-on-five full court game in college and the pros. She attended Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, where she played on the school's basketball and softball teams. In 1978, she signed with the Iowa Cornets of the newly-formed WBL, which was the first women's professional basketball league in the United States.
Kunzmann was killed on February 7, 1981, by Lance Tibke, who later pleaded guilty to second degree murder. He was sentenced to 10 to 40 years in prison, but was paroled after serving less than nine years. Kunzmann's team, the Nebraska Wranglers, canceled their game on February 10 when investigators disclosed that she had been killed. They returned to the court a day later donning black bands on their uniforms in memory of Kunzmann. The Wranglers went on to win the WBL Championship. Kunzmann's death was a national news story – with reports being filed regularly during the search for her body, which was hindered for nearly a week by poor weather conditions. Her remains were located in the Missouri River on March 28, halfway between Dodge Park and the Mormon Bridge. An autopsy concluded the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head by an object, likely a tire iron. Kunzmann was interred at Lone Tree Cemetery in Everly.
Kunzmann was born on July 3, 1956, in Spencer, Iowa, to Ray and Elanor Kunzmann.[1] The family later moved to Moneta, Iowa.[2] Kunzamnn's father died during her childhood, which according to her mother, caused Connie to consume herself in basketball.[1]
Kunzmann attended Everly High School in Everly, Iowa. She played on the school's six-on-six basketball team from 1971 to 1974. During her sophomore season, Kunzmann led the all state six-on-six players in steals.[1] She was named The Des Moines Register All-Iowa Second Team following her junior season.[3] After playing her first three seasons at guard, Everly's principal Larry Johnson suggested she switch to forward. She led her team in scoring that season with 34 points per game. She was named to the Sioux City Journal All-Northwest Iowa First Team, the Iowa Daily Press Association All-Iowa Third Team and The Des Moines Register All-Iowa Sixth Team.[4][1][3]
After graduating high school, Kunzmann enrolled at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska. She played for the Wildcats women's basketball and softball teams. On February 3, 1975, she scored 33 points in a basketball game against the Midland University Warriors. Her points total set a team record for most scored in a single game.[5] She set the record again, with 40 points, during a game on December 6, 1975.[6] She also had 15 rebounds in that game.[1] Norma Boetel, the South Dakota State Jackrabbits women's basketball head coach, said of Kuzmann in 1976, "Wayne [State] is led by Connie Kunzmann, a tall, mobile gal who shoots well, rebounds well and plays fine defense."[7] Kunzmann finished the 1975–76 season with an average of a 20.1 points and 14.4 rebounds per game.[6]
Kunzmann broke her ankle sliding into third base during a Wildcats softball game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on April 2, 1976.[8] She recovered from her injury in time for the basketball season. On December 30, 1976, she scored 37 points, leading the Wildcats to of 79–69 victory over the Northern Colorado Bears in the championship game of the Chadron State College Holiday Tournament.[9] Her junior year, Kunzmann was named Wayne State College Athlete of the Year and was named First Team All-Nebraska College Conference in basketball.[10] She averaged 20.4 points and 13.3 rebounds per game during the 1976–77 season. Kunzmann is the career leader for Wayne State in rebounds, with 1,271.[6]
Professional career
Kunzmann signed with the Iowa Cornets of the fledgling Women's Professional Basketball League (WBL) in 1978. Her professional debut came on December 1 in a preseason game against the Chicago Hustle. She went 6-for-6 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free throw line, finishing the game with 14 points in the Cornets 114–105 victory.[1] She made the Cornets' starting lineup during their regular season opener on December 15, against the Minnesota Fillies.[11] Along with other members of the Cornets, Kunzman appeared in the 1979 film Scoring, which starred Pete Maravich.[12]
Kunzmann and other Cornets staff and players reported that payroll checks issued to them on March 1, 1980 bounced. The team eventually made good on their payments.[13] The Cornets made it to the WBL Championship Series in 1980, but lost to the New York Stars. In the deciding fourth game of the series, Kunzmann scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.[14] At the end of the season, the Cornets held a banquet at Falbo's Restaurant in Des Moines. Kunzmann was awarded the team's "hustle award".[15] During the off-season, Kunzmann coached a girl's six-on-six basketball camp in Cedar Rapids along with teammates Molly Bolin, Tanya Crevier and Nancy Wellen.[16]
The Cornets went through a tumultuous off-season as players and staff publicly aired their grievances against the team's general manager, Rod Lein. The Cornets head coach, Steve Kirk, and two other staff members resigned because they did not want to work under Lien. He eventually resigned as general manager, but not before Kunzmann announced her intention to follow Kirk to his new team, the Nebraska Wranglers.[17] She started the 1980–81 season coming off the bench for the Wranglers.[18]
Following her death in 1981, the WBL named an award after Kunzmann. Sybil Blalock of the New Orleans Pride won the inaugural Connie Kunzmann Hustle and Harmony Award.[19]
