George Pillow will tell you that he’s lived his life during an exciting time in America and he’s thankful for that.
Following an outstanding basketball career at Indianapolis’ Shortridge High School, one which saw Pillow play as a member of the Indiana All-Stars, he was courted by some of the top basketball powerhouses in the country. He made one recruiting trip to Texas Western, where Bear Haskins’ team was just a few short years removed from winning a National Championship. But Pillow had never ventured too far from home and El Paso, Texas was simply too far away.
Another trip took him to Tobacco Road and North Carolina State University. A portion of this recruiting trip found Pillow and his potential teammates venturing into a pool hall. While the others began to pass the time drinking, George wandered over to a pool table and began to shoot a playful game. But that quickly ended when the proprietor informed him ‘that establishment didn’t allow coloreds to shoot pool.’ So Pillow simply put his cue stick down and left.
During the course of his high school career, Indiana State basketball coach Duane Kleuh had made some initial contacts with Pillow and when Gordon Stouffer took over the Sycamores’ program prior to the 1967-68 season, the Sycamores were eager to get Pillow in their camp. It was assistant coach Mel Garland, a former Indianapolis prep standout himself, who earned Pillow’s trust and, upon visiting the Terre Haute campus, Pillow decided that Indiana State was the place for him to continue his education.
George Pillow admits to having lived during exciting times. Realize for a moment that he was venturing off to college around the years 1967 and 1968. That was a time when racial tension in this country was a bit edgy, to say the least. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot in Memphis and Bobby Kennedy was gunned down in Los Angeles. Viet Nam was a hot topic and the Civil Rights movement was in full swing.
At Indiana State, George Pillow found a seemingly open atmosphere - one where the University’s athletes, comprised of many cultures and backgrounds, became a rallying point for the entire school. Thanks in part to the game of basketball, Pillow easily made friends in this campus arena.
And he dominated the basketball arena. Over a career spanning 1968 until 1971, Pillow averaged 16.5 points per game, totalling 1,253 career points. At the time of his graduation, that total ranked sixth all-time among Sycamore scoring leaders. Today, it still ranks among the top-15. He also ranks among Indiana State’s all-time best rebounders, ranking among the school’s top-ten in that category as well.
Following graduation, Pillow had NBA tryouts but realized that his best playing days were behind him.
He spent a 10-year stint with the Xerox Corporation, then moved into the political arena, serving five years as Executive Assistant for Indiana Governor Bob Orr. In this capacity he handled various subsidized programs and federal housing projects for the State.
When his time in this position drew to a close, Pillow knew three things: He was ready to branch out on his own, he didn’t want to work for anyone else and he didn’t want anything to do with politics!
What came of this decision was the founding of Pillow Express Delivery in Indianapolis, and later United Courier in Cincinnati, a business venture which he has successfully managed for 15 years. Today, it is the largest minority-owned delivery and courier service in Indiana.
This past spring, Pillow was recognized for his athletic ability when he was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. George Pillow was not only a success in the basketball arena, but he has been a success in life’s arena, as well.
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Career Statistics: 1,253 points, 731 rebounds
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Leading rebounder (1969, 1970, 1971)
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Career high 19 rebounds vs. Butler (February 7, 1970)
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All-Midwestern Conference (1971)
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Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame (2002)
