Milt Schoon, a member of the Valparaiso Athletics Hall of Fame and a key component of the Crusader men’s basketball program in the mid-1940’s, passed away Sunday at the age of 92.

Schoon starred for the Crusader men’s basketball team from 1943-46, helping Valpo to 55 wins over his three years on the court.  In his first season, Schoon helped the Crusaders to a win over DePaul, guarding superstar George Mikan and limiting him to just nine points.  He was an integral part of the “World’s Tallest Team”, which posted a 21-3 record in the 1944-45 season and gained international recognition for their exploits on the court.

Following his time at Valpo, Schoon played five seasons of professional basketball for the Detroit Falcons, Flint Dow Chemicals, Sheboygan Red Skins and Denver Refiners.  He helped the Sheboygan squad to the NBA playoffs in the 1949-50 season.  In his final year as a professional, Schoon set a pro basketball scoring record, scoring 64 points for the Refiners in a win over the Kansas City Hi-Spots – a mark which would stand for nearly a decade.

Schoon was inducted into the Valparaiso Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000, and was inducted again as a member of the World’s Tallest Team in 2004.