Paul “Ace” Vollmer

Paul “Ace” Vollmer was a rare breed of basketball player, long before AAU teams and club ball. In his day basketball players gathered at various playgrounds around Milwaukee playing against whoever wanted was there.  Vollmer honed his skills on those playgrounds.  He loved the game.  Anyone who played with Ace can recall when he’d put the ball under his arm, wave his teammates out of the way as he’d yell, “Out of my way, I got this guy”, followed with his patented crossover and that magical first step as he glided past the defender to a layup.  With dunking outlawed during his era the crowds could only marvel as he’d drop the ball from high above the rim into the net.  Blessed with long arms, long legs, and great leaping ability, Ace played much taller than his 6’4” height.   A two-year starter, it was his senior year when Ace was at the top of the deck.  He was the unquestioned leader of a talented team who won the Suburban Conference championship with a perfect 18-0 record.  After winning the Regionals, Tosa East moved on to the Sectional championship where Ace had the game of a lifetime in leading Tosa East to the state tournament where they were pre-tournament favorites.  A first round upset ruined the perfect season.  Ace Vollmer was 1st Team All Suburban, 2nd Team All State and 1st Team All Tournament.   Vollmer went on to play basketball under Al McGuire at Marquette University.