1883day.year

H. V. Hordern

(1883 - 1938)

Australian cricketer

Australian cricketer
H. V. Hordern was an Australian cricketer known for his left-arm spin bowling.
Born in 1883 in New South Wales, Hordern excelled in both batting and bowling at school. He made his Test debut for Australia in 1905 against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Hordern’s deceptive spin deliveries and strategic acumen troubled batsmen throughout the series. He toured England in 1909, contributing significantly to Australia’s Ashes campaigns. After retiring, he remained active in cricket administration and coaching, nurturing young talent.
H. V. Hordern
1893day.year

Bill Tilden

(1893 - 1953)

American tennis player and coach

American tennis player and coach
Pioneering American tennis champion who dominated the sport in the 1920s.
Bill Tilden was an American tennis star who became the first player to win six U.S. Championships in singles. He held the world number one ranking for seven consecutive years during the 1920s, redefining power and strategy in the game. Tilden also wrote instructional books that influenced generations of players and contributed to tennis theory. After his competitive career, he coached and promoted tennis internationally, fostering the sport's global growth. His charismatic on-court persona and unprecedented achievements earned him a lasting place in tennis history. Tilden was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in recognition of his enduring influence on the sport.
Bill Tilden
1903day.year

Matthias Sindelar

(1903 - 1939)

Austrian footballer and manager

Austrian footballer and manager
Matthias Sindelar was an Austrian football legend known as 'The Paper Man' for his elegant playing style.
Matthias Sindelar (1903–1939) was one of Austria's greatest footballers, celebrated for his skillful dribbling and vision. Nicknamed 'Der Papierene' (The Paper Man), he led Austria's Wunderteam to international acclaim in the early 1930s. Sindelar won multiple Austrian league titles with FK Austria Wien and captained the national team. Off the field, he was admired for his sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct. His mysterious death in 1939 has fueled speculation and myth over the decades. Sindelar's legacy endures as a pioneer of modern football tactics and style.
Matthias Sindelar
1907day.year

Anthony Cottrell

(1907 - 1988)

New Zealand rugby player

New Zealand rugby player
Anthony Cottrell was a New Zealand rugby union player who excelled in the front row during the 1930s.
Anthony Cottrell emerged as a leading prop in New Zealand provincial rugby during the 1930s. He was celebrated for his strength, technique, and endurance in the scrum. Cottrell represented regional teams with distinction before earning national selectors' attention. His dedication to training revolutionized front-row play in his era. After retiring, he coached at the grassroots level, nurturing future generations. Cottrell's legacy endures among New Zealand rugby enthusiasts who honor his pioneering spirit.
1907 Anthony Cottrell
1923day.year

Allie Sherman

(1923 - 2015)

American football player and coach

American football player and coach
American football player and coach who led the New York Giants to multiple NFL championship games in the 1960s.
Allie Sherman was born in 1923 and began his career as a quarterback and halfback in professional football. After retiring as a player, he transitioned to coaching, serving as an assistant for several teams before joining the New York Giants staff. From 1961 to 1969, he was head coach of the Giants, guiding them to three consecutive NFL Championship Games (1961–1963). Sherman was known for his innovative offensive strategies, including the modern shotgun formation. He later coached in the Canadian Football League and became a respected broadcaster before his death in 2015.
1923 Allie Sherman
1924day.year

Bud Poile

(1924 - 2005)

Canadian ice hockey player and coach

Canadian ice hockey player and coach
Canadian ice hockey player, coach, and executive inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame for his lifetime contributions to the sport.
Bud Poile was born in 1924 in Fort William, Ontario, and began his NHL career as a defenseman in the 1940s. He played for the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Black Hawks, winning a Stanley Cup with Detroit in 1950. After retiring as a player, Poile transitioned to coaching and management, leading teams in the WHL and NHL. He served as general manager for the Philadelphia Flyers and Vancouver Canucks, shaping their early rosters. In recognition of his impact on hockey, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 1990. He passed away in 2005, leaving a lasting legacy in professional hockey.
Bud Poile
1926day.year

Danny Blanchflower

(1926 - 1993)

Northern Irish soldier, footballer and manager

Northern Irish soldier footballer and manager
Northern Irish footballer, manager and decorated soldier, renowned for captaining Tottenham Hotspur during their double-winning season.
Danny Blanchflower was born in 1926 in Belfast and served as a private in the British Army before his football career. He joined Tottenham Hotspur in 1954 and captained the team to the First Division and FA Cup double in 1961. Renowned for his vision and taste on the field, he was voted Footballer of the Year in Britain in 1958 and 1961. After retiring as a player, he managed Hull City and his hometown club, Port Vale, leaving a lasting impact on English football. Off the pitch, Blanchflower was also a journalist and commentator, known for his eloquence and wit. He died in 1993, remembered as one of Northern Ireland's greatest sports icons.
Danny Blanchflower
1940day.year

Mary Rand

English sprinter and long jumper

English sprinter and long jumper
English track and field athlete and Olympic gold medalist in the long jump.
Mary Rand was born in 1940 and became one of Britain's most celebrated track and field athletes. At the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, she won the gold medal in the long jump with a world-record performance and also secured silver in the pentathlon and bronze in the 4×100-meter relay. Rand's achievements marked the first time a British woman set an Olympic long jump record. She received numerous honors for her contributions to sport and inspired future generations of female athletes. After retiring from competition, Rand remained involved in athletics through coaching and advocacy for women's sports.
1940 Mary Rand
1945day.year

Glynn Saulters

American basketball player

American basketball player
Glynn Saulters is a retired American basketball player notable for his collegiate career and contributions to youth sports development.
Born in 1945 in Monroe, Louisiana, Glynn Saulters became a standout guard at Louisiana State University during the mid-1960s. He was selected in the 1968 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls and played professionally in the United States and abroad. After retiring from competitive basketball, Saulters turned to coaching, guiding high school teams and nurturing young talent. He later worked with community sports programs to promote physical education and mentorship for youth. Saulters' dedication to the game and to developing future athletes has been a hallmark of his post-playing career.
Glynn Saulters
1946day.year

Dick Anderson

American football player

American football player
Dick Anderson is a former American football safety best known for his key role on the Miami Dolphins' undefeated 1972 team.
Born in 1946, Dick Anderson excelled as a safety at the University of Colorado, showcasing exceptional tackling and coverage skills. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1968 and earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Anderson played a pivotal role in the Dolphins' perfect 17-0 season, helping secure victories in Super Bowls VII and VIII. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, he was renowned for his leadership in the Dolphins' secondary and his knack for interceptions. After retiring in 1976, Anderson's legacy endured as one of the greatest safeties in NFL history.
1946 Dick Anderson
1950day.year

Mark Spitz

American swimmer

American swimmer
Legendary American swimmer who won seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympics, setting multiple world records.
Mark Spitz emerged as one of the greatest swimmers of all time during the early 1970s, dominating butterfly and freestyle events. He captured seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympics, a record for a single Games that stood for 36 years. Spitz set world records in each of his seven events, showcasing his versatility and endurance in the pool. He won nine Olympic medals in total and earned ten world titles throughout his career. After retiring from competition, Spitz became a popular sports commentator and advocate for swimming worldwide.
Mark Spitz
1955day.year

Tom LaGarde

American basketball player

American basketball player
Former professional basketball player and Olympic gold medalist, part of the 1976 U.S. men's basketball team.
Tom LaGarde played college basketball at the University of North Carolina, where he won a national championship in 1974. He was selected by the Denver Nuggets in the 1976 NBA Draft and played in the NBA for Seattle and Dallas. LaGarde earned a gold medal with the U.S. team at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Known for his versatility as a forward-center, he contributed on both offense and defense. After retiring, he remained involved in sports through coaching and community programs.
Tom LaGarde