1923 Yearbook
Source URL
Title
1923 Yearbook
Description
MIDGET BASKETBALL
Do you know that an athletic team at St. Ambrose College has gone through the
past four seasons of competition suffering only one defeat? And do you know that in
that time they have averaged twenty games per season ? The Midget basketball teams
have set up this remarkable record. They and their coach are proud of their record,
and they have a right to feel that way. Teams of every type were met. Intermediate
teams, "Y" teams, Athletic Club teams, Church teams, and High School teams were
"taken on" as they came and disposed of in true Midget style. Size does not mean
much to a Midget. They met big teams; then they met bigger teams. All fell. Speed
and science and teamwork are the facts that count with the Midgets. They possess all
these qualifications, thanks to Father Adrian, their coach.
It was originally intended that the Midgets were to confine their endeavors to the
midget class of basketball. In the course of development it was found that few teams
of this class could offer even a close game. Hence, in some cases they go out of their
class—supposedly—and play small town high schools. But these teams do not worry
the Midgets. Their four victories over the Leclaire, Iowa, High School and the Coal
Valley, Illinois, High School (two each) show conclusively their superiority over this
class of teams.
How do the Midgets achieve their greatness? The answer to this question seemingly cannot be found in the style of play or general ability of the opposition. In my
mind two facts stand out most prominent as the answer. The first is a most profound
love and respect for their coach. It is an established fact that any team that has confidence in and respect for its coach will get results. The other is teamwork. Each individual is ready and willing to help the other fellow. Through the expert coaching of
Father Adrian and by diligent practice, the Midgets have perfected a teamwork second
to none in or out of their class. This is "saying a mouthful", but watch the Midgets
in action and be convinced.
In addition to their regular season's activity the Midgets this year carried away first
honors in the tournament held March 9th, 10th, and 11th. This was the first affair of
its kind ever held in Davenport, in that it brought teams not only from the Tri-Cities
but from other surrounding towns as well. Two states were represented. Rock
Island, Moline, and Geneseo sent teams from the state of Illinois, and Davenport,
Muscatine, and Wilton had teams entered from Iowa. The tournament was a success,
and it is planned to make this an annual affair. All teams entered played a brand of
ball which compared very favorably with that of older and more experienced teams.
The Midget squad is composed of three teams. The first team is made up of Captain
Sparks and Miclot at guards, Reedy at center, G. Lawler and Garvey at the forwards. O'Connor, Byrnes, Clancy, Elwood, Hippler, and Austin are the leading
utility men and make up the second string.
Page 61
Do you know that an athletic team at St. Ambrose College has gone through the
past four seasons of competition suffering only one defeat? And do you know that in
that time they have averaged twenty games per season ? The Midget basketball teams
have set up this remarkable record. They and their coach are proud of their record,
and they have a right to feel that way. Teams of every type were met. Intermediate
teams, "Y" teams, Athletic Club teams, Church teams, and High School teams were
"taken on" as they came and disposed of in true Midget style. Size does not mean
much to a Midget. They met big teams; then they met bigger teams. All fell. Speed
and science and teamwork are the facts that count with the Midgets. They possess all
these qualifications, thanks to Father Adrian, their coach.
It was originally intended that the Midgets were to confine their endeavors to the
midget class of basketball. In the course of development it was found that few teams
of this class could offer even a close game. Hence, in some cases they go out of their
class—supposedly—and play small town high schools. But these teams do not worry
the Midgets. Their four victories over the Leclaire, Iowa, High School and the Coal
Valley, Illinois, High School (two each) show conclusively their superiority over this
class of teams.
How do the Midgets achieve their greatness? The answer to this question seemingly cannot be found in the style of play or general ability of the opposition. In my
mind two facts stand out most prominent as the answer. The first is a most profound
love and respect for their coach. It is an established fact that any team that has confidence in and respect for its coach will get results. The other is teamwork. Each individual is ready and willing to help the other fellow. Through the expert coaching of
Father Adrian and by diligent practice, the Midgets have perfected a teamwork second
to none in or out of their class. This is "saying a mouthful", but watch the Midgets
in action and be convinced.
In addition to their regular season's activity the Midgets this year carried away first
honors in the tournament held March 9th, 10th, and 11th. This was the first affair of
its kind ever held in Davenport, in that it brought teams not only from the Tri-Cities
but from other surrounding towns as well. Two states were represented. Rock
Island, Moline, and Geneseo sent teams from the state of Illinois, and Davenport,
Muscatine, and Wilton had teams entered from Iowa. The tournament was a success,
and it is planned to make this an annual affair. All teams entered played a brand of
ball which compared very favorably with that of older and more experienced teams.
The Midget squad is composed of three teams. The first team is made up of Captain
Sparks and Miclot at guards, Reedy at center, G. Lawler and Garvey at the forwards. O'Connor, Byrnes, Clancy, Elwood, Hippler, and Austin are the leading
utility men and make up the second string.
Page 61
Date
1923
Rights
St. Ambrose University, 518 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA 52803
Identifier
http://cdm16810.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16810coll2/id/7665