Stanley Stutz

Stanley John Stutz (né Modzelewski; April 14, 1920 – October 28, 1975) was an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Rhode Island Rams where he was known as Stanley "Stutz" Modzelewski. He adopted Stutz as his surname after his graduation in 1942. Stutz played professionally in the Basketball Association of America (BAA) for the Baltimore Bullets and New York Knicks.

Stutz was born Stanley Modzelewski to a poor Polish family. He received the nickname "Stutz" as a child when he admired a friend's Stutz car. Modzelewski was raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, and started playing basketball in the fourth grade. He was taught how to play by former football player Archie Golembeski and was childhood friends with fellow basketball player Chet Jaworski. Modzelewski attended Classical High School in Worcester.

Stutz was known as Stanley "Stutz" Modzelewski when he played for the Rhode Island Rams. He led the NCAA in scoring for three consecutive years from 1940 to 1942. He changed his surname to Stutz after he graduated in 1942.

Stutz then played three seasons (1946–1949) in the Basketball Association of America (BAA) as a member of the New York Knicks and Baltimore Bullets. He averaged 7.1 points per game in his BAA career.

Stutz later coached the Washington Tapers of the American Basketball League. Stutz quit playing in 1949, but in 1950 returned to the court as a referee in the NBA, staying until 1959. He went into the corporate world, becoming a vice-president at Tucl Cellophane Tape in New York City.

Stutz was married and had three children. He died on October 28, 1975.