Mort Lazar

Lazar was captain of New York University's basketball team in 1942 when the Violets had a record of 13-7. He was killed in Europe while fighting the Nazis during World War II.

Birth and Death Dates:
unknown

Career Highlights:
A forward, Lazar was a two-year starter for NYU in the early 1940s. He joined the Violets in 1940 as a sophomore, and came off the bench to help the squad compile an awesome 18-1 season. NYU won its first 18 games of the season before losing the finale to rival CCNY (City College of New York), 36-24. Mort played but did not score in the game. Though that loss was considered one of the biggest upsets in the history of New York City basketball, NYU was still expected to play in the postseason and contend for the national championship. Following the loss to City, however, the school's athletic board declined all postseason tournament bids, citing exhaustion on the part of the players.

The following season (1941), Lazar joined backcourt stars Ralph Kaplowitz, and captain Ben Auerbach in the starting line-up. Mort was one of the best scorers on the team; he registered double digits in wins against Rutgers (78-55) and Temple (47-46), and led the team with 12 points in a 47-43 loss to CCNY in the final game of the season. Lazar finished the year third on NYU's squad in scoring, with 134 points (18th in the Metropolitan area). The Violets finished 13-6.

The following year, NYU played well; but without Auerbach, who had graduated, and minus the Army-bound Kaplowitz as well, Lazar was one of only two returning starters. Mort captained the team and played most of the season, but towards the end of the year, he too had left for the army. NYU finished the season with a record of 13-7. Mort Lazar was killed in action in Europe while fighting the Nazis.

Origin:
New York

Career Dates:
Lazar played forward at NYU from 1940-42.