This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/31/2005.
In 1959, the first class enshrined in the Hall of Fame had great players, coaches, contributors and referees. A charismatic bench coach, Henry Clifford Carlson invented the classic Figure-8 Offense. He led the University of Pittsburgh to a 21-0 record and national titles in 1928 and 1930. As head of Physical Education at the YMCA Training School in Springfield, Contributor Luther Gulick was responsible for tasking Dr. Naismith to design an indoor winter sport in 1891. Gulick served on the Basketball Rules Committee, several Olympic organizing committees, and is credited with forming the New York Public School Athletic League. Contributor Ed Hickox served as volunteer Director of the yet to be founded Basketball Hall of Fame from 1948 through 1959. He was also a founding member and President of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. A seven-time AAU All-America, Player Chuck Hyatt was one of the game's original sharpshooters. The 1930 Player of the Year, Hyatt led the nation in scoring and helped Pittsburgh to national titles in 1928 and 1930. Matthew "Pat" Kennedy was one of the most colorful referees in basketball history, working nearly 4,000 games in his career. In 1946 he served as the first NBA Supervisor of Officials. Angelo "Hank" Luisetti developed the running one-handed shot when other players used the two-handed set shot. He led Stanford to three consecutive Pacific Coast Conference titles and was named National Player of the Year in 1937 and 1938. Appointed first coach at Wisconsin in 1912, Walter "Doc" Meanwell coached the school to eight conference championships before retiring in 1934. His teams won 70 percent of all their games during his 20 seasons. Contributor Ralph Morgan played a leading role in early 20th century basketball rules and conference formation. He founded the College Basketball Rules Committee in 1905, and the Eastern Basketball College League (now the Ivy League). Contributor Harold Olsen was a prominent basketball administrator who led efforts in 1939 to create the NCAA Tournament. He served on the NCAA Rules Committee and helped initiate the 10-second rule in 1937. Leading the University of Chicago to three straight Big Ten titles (1907-09), Player John Schommer led the Western Conference in scoring four consecutive years. Schommer is also credited with the development of the glass backboard. A member of the National Basketball Rules Committee for 50 years, Contributor Oswald Tower played a dominant role in basketball's development. He served as official basketball rules interpreter from 1915 to 1959. He created and edited the annual Spalding Official Basketball Guide. All are Silver Relief Medallions. Carlson is in good condition; large scratch on background. Gulick is in good condition good; scratches and small chips on cheek and chin. Both Hickox and Hyatt are in excellent condition; very slight scratches on tip of noses. Kennedy is in very good condition; slight scratches on tip of nose, right eyebrow and on forehead. Luisetti is in good condition; small black spots on surface. Meanwell is in very good condition; several small black spots on surface. Morgan is in good condition; tip of nose chipped. Olsen, Schommer and Tower are in NM condition.