Legendary Stat Man Harvey Pollack Dies At Age 93

The legendary statistician of the Philadelphia 76ers, Harvey Pollack, passed away at the age of 93 on Tuesday afternoon. Pollack had been employed by the NBA since the league was conceived in 1946, the only employee of the league left still working. The Sixers announced his death in a statement on Tuesday night.

“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the passing of a true NBA legend, Harvey Pollack,” said Sixers CEO Scott O’Neil in the statement. “He may never have laced up his sneakers, but few have done more to advance the game, in the NBA or Philadelphia basketball, than Harvey. He did what he loved until the end, and shared that love of statistics and basketball with his family, who we remember at this difficult time. We count ourselves incredibly lucky to have had his wealth of knowledge, indomitable spirit, passionate drive and love for our sport with us here in Philadelphia and with the Sixers for so many years. He will be missed while his legacy will endure.”

Harvey Pollack has been a large part of the biggest moment in Philadelphia basketball history. His most memorable moment is arguably recording the book for Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA-record 100-point game against the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962. The game took place when the 76ers were still known as the Philadelphia Warriors.

Pollack famously inscribed the “100 sign” that Chamberlain was photographed with following the historic performance.

Even when there was not a franchise in the city of Brotherly Love in 1962-1963, after the Warriors relocated to San Francisco, California, Pollack continued as the public relations contact for neutral site games. He was passionate and committed to his job, to say the least.

Pollack was involved in a car accident in January of this year. The crash involved only one automobile, and caused Pollack to suffer a broken hip, ribs, pelvis and jaw as well as facial lacerations after hitting a wall in a garage where he had parked to serve as a judge for the Mummers Parade, according to the Phildadelphia Daily News.

Harvey Pollack was awarded the John W. Bunn Award, a lifetime achievement award for work in basketball given by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Pollack is a member of the Temple University (his alma mater) Hall of Fame and the Big 5 Hall of Fame.

When asked if he would ever retire, Pollack responded, “Why should I retire? What should I do? Sit home and twiddle my thumbs?”

Harvey Pollack loved his job and will always be remembered in the hearts of fans.

[Image Source: AP]