Luke Witte
Luke Witte (born October 19, 1950 in Philadelphia) was a U.S college and professional basketball player who is now a church minister.
High school and college
Witte was a standout high school player at Marlington High School in Alliance, Ohio, where he scored over 1500 points during his career. He went on to Ohio State University, where as a sophomore in 1971 he led the team in rebounds (331 for the season) and was all-Big Ten. The Ohio State team were Big Ten co-champions, and teamed with fellow Buckeye standouts Allen Hornyak and Jim Cleamons his college future looked bright -- until the incident descibed next.
The Assault
In the Ohio State-Minnesota game, at Minnesota during the 1972 Big Ten season, Ohio State led 50 to 44 with 36 seconds to go. Witte went for a layup but was fouled hard. Immediately following the foul, Witte was punched in the head, then kicked in the groin, by Minnesota player Corky Taylor. While on the floor, he was kicked and stomped by Minnesota player Ron Behagen. The game was halted, the Buckeyes awarded the win, and Minnesota fans booed as Witte was carried from the floor. He was hospitalized for several days. The Minnesota players were not disciplined, in spite of complaints from the well respected Ohio State coach, Fred Taylor. Many believe the injuries permanently affected Witte's career. Taylor said that he lost his enthusiasm for the game as a result of the incident. The Minnesota coach, Bill Musselman, was an Ohio native and was previously respected for his success at Ashland College, but was thereafter reviled in the state and was ousted from the Minnesota coaching job as a result of the incident. The Minnesota basketball program fell on several years of hard times afterwards. Minnesota player Dave Winfield was on the court at the time but had no part in the incident.
Pro career
Witte was selected in the fourth round of the 1973 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, who also drafted fellow Buckeyes Cleamons and Hornyak. Witte saw part-time action over three seasons; his 235 pound body spread over 7 feet was not durable or strong enough for the pro game.
After Basketball
Luke Witte is now a Presbyterian minister in Charlotte, North Carolina.
External links Luke Witte career statistics at basketball-reference.com
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