Loyola University Chicago - Loyolan Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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BASKETBALL FIHESHMEN Over twenty candidates answered Coach Dick Butzen's call for Freshman basketball. From this number, a small but speedy squad was selected. Although the team did not approach the record set by last year's quintet who won thirty-four out of thirty-five games, they compiled a fair average of victories and defeats. Under the astute guidance of Butzen, who learned his basketball while a member of the famous Sachs machine of former years, the yearlings gained a world of experience in hardwood play that will stand them in good stead next year. ,lim Killer Kane, former Harrison Tech captain, led the team from the guard position. His smooth floor A rfmlf' mags ww play and shrewd leadership paved the way for frequent scores. Paired with him at the back court position was Bill Wendt who gained all-Catholic mention while at St. Leo's. Bill was a constant fighter and a source of inspiration to his team- mates. Alternating with these two were Bud Cosgrove, a cool hook expert who learned his basketball in the C. Y. O. League, and Joe Mandell, a shifty dribbler from Senn High. These four players saved Coach Butzen many grey hairs with their impregnable defense. The center berth was held down by Chuck Haskins, burly giant from Mount Carmel. His great size was instrumental in gaining the rebound from the backhoard. Charlie Chapin and Bud Wilde alternated satisfactorily with him, the trio guaranteeing possession of the tipoff every time. Loyola Academy dominated the forward positions with Bob Riordan, Ed Britt, and Gene Dubay. Riordan, a recipient of all-Catholic honors while at the Academy, was the spearhead of the Frosh attack, piling up a total of twelve baskets in one game, Dubay and Britt were steady Hoormen, cool under fire and quick to take advantage of scor- ing opportunities. Ray Pellicore, three-letter winner from Kelvyn Park, was probably the fastest man on the squad. His hook shots and under-the-basket play at the forward post were the best reasons for his staying constantly in the game. Playing some of the strongest teams in the city, the Greenmen won five and lost eight in the face of tough competition. Among their victims were l'lcrzl Junior College, Fox Secretarial School, Illinois College of Chiropody, Wright Junior College, and an all star team from the sophomore class. That the schedule was difhcult may be proved by the fact that these same teams perennially defeat thc biggest names in Chicagoland basketball. The Creenmen lost close l'Cilll'l1 games to Herzl. Fox, Chiropodists and the Loyola sophs, and were handily de- feated hy Armour Tech, Division Y, and twice by the College of Optometry. The Frosh started the season in an nnpromising manner. Opening the season against Illi- nois College of Optometry, the frosh were sub:nerged by a 35 to 16 defeat. Successively the 262

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Frosh were defeated by W1'ight Junior College, lllinois College of Optometry and Herzl .ltmior College. Their first victory was chalked up against Fox Secretarial College at Loyola Gymna- sium. From that point on their record of wins just about equaled their defeats until the season record stood at eight losses and five victories. Originally the Frosh WC1'8 scheduled to play a team consisting of the sophomore intramural stars. But, by a decision of the president of the freshman class it was decided that the freslunan intramural players should play the first half of the game with the regular freshman team play- ing the second half. The Sophs clearly headed the Frosh I-M players, leading by a heavy mar- gin, 14 to 6, at the conclusion of their half of the game. The regular freshman team played gamely, cutting the Sophs lead to five points in the early stages of the second half, but lost to the Soph Stars who numbered among them such men as Bob Hofherr, Jack Driscoll, and Joe Gora, from the I-M champs-the Gaels-and Sam Marotta and .lim McNulty from the Pi Alpbs, holders of third place in the l-M basketball race, the final score being 29 to 21. ln another interclass contest the Fresh team played the Gaels, the champs of the Intramural basketball league. The Sophs used in their starting lineup, a team composed of Jack Driscoll, Leo Adams, Pete lVlcDonald, Gene Kwasinski, and Joe Gora, while the Frosh started Kane, Wertdt, Haskins, Dubay, and Riordan. The Frosh determined to avenge the former defeat in- curred at the hands of the Soph class, ran up a lead of seven to two, wi'th the Gaels hanging on, rallying at the close of the half to bring the score to 14- to 10. Despite the iight put up by tl1e l-M team, the Greenman came out ahead on a 19 to 17 count. The freshman team this year was really a tribute to the coaching of Dick Butzen. Given at the best only mediocre material to start with Dick moulded the players illf0 a unit, which knew its weakness and guarded them, while at the same time using their strong points to best advantage. Dick Butzen ably performed the duty of a freshman coach, namely, grounding the new players in the fundamentals of the Sachs' system of basketball. 263 FRESHMAN SQUAD. Frunl row, Dubay, Haskins, Chapin, Cosgrm-eg rvnr raw, Couch Butzen, Pellicnrc, Kane, O'Dxy.

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Ed Caliban is the second senior member of the squad to receifve mention. As a forward dur- ing the past three years and especially during the last season Ed has distinguished himself while wearing the Maroon and Cold of Loyola. His point total for the season has always been high and there is no doubt that his ball handling benefited the team to no little extent. The third member of the senior class to perform regularly during the past season was Ed Murray. Shifted from center to forward this year Ed showed the fine qualities that enabled him to star on the court as well as maintain a high scholastic average. lt is a well accepted note around the halls of Loyola that Ed is tops in everything. Johnny Brennan was the fourth senior member of the squad although he did not play regu- larly. Despite the fact that he was overloaded with student government jobs, which he performed better than any of his predecessors in those ollices, John found time to knock the studies cold and to fill a valuable place on the team. School spirit was his middle name. The rest of the squad deserves the same high praise that has gone to the senior members. Wilma Kautz and Mike Novak from the sophomore class rounded out the regular team with Bill 0'Brien from the same class as the first reserve man for the forward position. Bob Brennan, Bill Lynch, and Cart Wiiiklei' formed the junior class contribution to Loyola basketball this year. It is certain that from this group will come as fine a team next year as we have been fortunate enough to have this year. The other sophomores on the squad were George Hogan and ,lack Hayes. These men from last yearls freshman team which lost only one of thirty-Eve games will form an adequate com- plement to the other fine material available to Coach Sachs for the coming season. lt has been interesting to watch this team as it developed from the green freshman squad of four years ago. At that time the varsity was manned by such Loyola stalwarts as Hal Motz, .lim Hogan, and George Silvcstri. Carrying on through their second and third years this team has as its center up to 1936-37 Ed Murray who had a reputation of getting the jump four out of Hve times from opponents who topped his height by from hve to seven inches. This year saw the addition of 6'9 Mike Novak to control the tip to perfection and left Ed to his duties as one of the best pot shots on the team. Marv Colen and Ed Caliban have played regularly from the start of their sophomore years. These two men have combined to make the Loyola teams feared at all times and with the addi- tional assistance this year of the fine material that came up from last year's freshman team they found their rightful place in the basketball world. It is easy to see that basketball at Loyola is the outstanding sport. The interest of the stu- dents and the ready assistance of the faculty in building up the squads have resulted in many fine teams at Loyola. This year's team has been no exception to the fine squads that have repre- sented the school in former years. Student support of the Ramblers in this 1936-37 season has risen to a new high. Perhaps with the impetus of this year and the promise of an even better team next year it will be possible for the school to realize dividends on the excellent basketball heritage that is hers. 261