[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 6 (Wednesday, February 4, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S401-S402]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 72--RELATIVE TO THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 
             OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS BASKETBALL PROGRAM

  Mr. ROBERTS (for himself and Mr. Brownback) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation:

                            S. Con. Res. 72

       Whereas in 1898, the ``Father of Basketball'', Dr. James 
     Naismith, became the first basketball coach at the University 
     of Kansas;
       Whereas Dr. Forrest ``Phog'' Allen, considered one of 
     college basketball's most successful coaches, succeeded Dr. 
     James Naismith, winning 746 games, 24 conference 
     championships, 2 Helms Foundation National Championships, and 
     1 National Collegiate Athletic Association (referred to in 
     this resolution as ``NCAA'') Championship;
       Whereas Dr. Allen was influential in forming the National 
     Association of Basketball Coaches, lobbied to make basketball 
     an Olympic sport, and was a key individual in the formation 
     of the NCAA Basketball Tournament;
       Whereas University of Kansas graduates who played 
     basketball under Dr. Allen, including Adolph Rupp, Dean 
     Smith, Ralph Miller, and Dutch Lonborg, went on to achieve 
     unparalleled success as college basketball coaches;
       Whereas 13 University of Kansas alumni, including Wilt 
     Chamberlain and Clyde Lovellette, are members of the Naismith 
     Basketball Hall of Fame;
       Whereas the jerseys of Danny Manning, Charlie Black, B.H. 
     Born, Paul Endacott, Wilt Chamberlain, and Ray Evans were 
     retired by the University of Kansas because of their 
     achievements on the basketball floor as University of Kansas 
     Jayhawks;
       Whereas the University of Kansas men's basketball tradition 
     includes more than 1,650 victories, 44 conference 
     championships, 10 NCAA Championship Final Four appearances, 2 
     Helms Foundation National Championships, 2 NCAA 
     Championships, in 1952 and 1988, and 10 Consensus All-
     American players; and
       Whereas Allen Field House in Lawrence, Kansas, maintains a 
     spirited atmosphere that provides the University of Kansas 
     Jayhawks an immeasurable advantage in their games: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress recognizes and honors--
       (1) the 100 years of basketball history at the University 
     of Kansas; and
       (2) the players, coaches, alumni, and fans of the 
     University of Kansas Jayhawks who have participated in the 
     basketball program throughout the years.

  Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, it is my privilege to submit a Senate 
concurrent resolution today commending the centennial celebration of 
college basketball played at the University of Kansas.
  This weekend former Jayhawk players and coaches, along with fans from 
all over the country, will gather for a reunion weekend in Lawrence, 
Kansas. Festivities include a legends game, banquet, and culminate with 
the Missouri game on Sunday afternoon. They will celebrate and honor a 
tradition that is second to none.
  College basketball history contains many milestones and 
accomplishments achieved by the Kansas Jayhawks. Since KU's first team 
in 1898-99 the Jayhawks have had more than 1,650 victories, second only 
to North Carolina and Kentucky. Kansas has played in the NCAA 
Tournament 26 times, made 10 final four appearances and won or shared 
44 conference titles. Not only can Kansas lay claim to college 
basketball's greatest coaches, but it has ties to both its inventor and 
one of its dominant players.
  In 1898 Dr. James Naismith, only seven years removed from nailing two 
peach baskets on the wall in Springfield, Massachusetts YMCA, became 
KU's first basketball coach. Ironically, Dr. Naismith was the only 
Jayhawk coach to retire with a losing record. Although Dr. Naismith's 
record does not reflect his ingenuity for inventing basketball, he is 
fondly remembered at KU.
  Ten years later, Forest ``Phog'' Allen took over the reins from 
Naismith. Allen, a KU basketball letterman learned the game from his 
playing days under Dr. Naismith and refined them so much so that he is 
referred to as the ``father of basketball coaching.'' Off the court, 
Allen joined in the creation of the National Basketball Coaches 
Association, led the international effort making basketball an Olympic 
sport, and assisted in the formation of the National Collegiate 
Athletic Association Tournament. Allen compiled a record of 590-219 in 
39 years as the Jayhawks head coach. This includes 24 conference 
championships and one NCAA Championship. All totaled Allen won 746 
games, a record twice since broken by his former players.
  One of the outstanding games in the Jayhawks 100 year history is the 
1952 NCAA championship game played in Kansas City's Municipal 
Auditorium. The Allen-coached Jayhawks won the game over St. John's 
with Basketball Hall of Fame member Clyde Lovellette contributing 33 
points. Another future Hall of Famer saw limited action that night, 
Dean Smith.
  Also in the fifties, the Kansas Jayhawks added more to the history 
and legacy of college basketball. In 1957 Wilt Chamberlin led the 
Jayhawks to a 24-3 record and a spot in the NCAA finals where Kansas 
was defeated by North Carolina, 54-53 in three overtimes in what is 
considered one of the most exciting games in NCAA Tournament history. 
Despite the loss, Chamberlin was selected tournament MVP and was a two-
time All-American. Chamberlin went on to achieve great success in the 
NBA setting a single game scoring record of 100 points while with the 
Philadelphia Warriors.
  In recent years, Kansas Jayhawks on the court continued to add more 
history. Danny Manning and his all-stars persevered in their underdog 
effort that culminated in the Jayhawks 1988 victory over Big Eight 
Conference rival Oklahoma and once again being crowned national 
champions.
  Even after reaching the pinnacle of being a national champion in 
1988, the Jayhawks are still regarded as one of the top teams in the 
nation. In his nine seasons as the Jayhawks head coach, Roy Williams 
has led the Hawks to two Final Fours and five conference championships. 
Like all his coaching predecessors, Williams' teams excel on the

[[Page S402]]

court and off, not only preparing student athletes for difficult games, 
but for the challenges to come in lives.
  I would like to list for my colleagues those Kansas Jaykawks who have 
been elected to the Naismith Hall of Fame in Springfield, 
Massachusetts: Dr. Naismith, Phog Allen, E.C. Quigley, John Bunn, 
Adolph Rupp, Paul Endacott, Dutch Lonborg, William Johnson, John 
McLendon, Wilt Chamberlain, Dean Smith, Clyde Lovellette, and Ralph 
Miller. In addition, KU's Lynette Woodard, who became the first woman 
to play with the Harlem Globetrotters, has also been recognized for her 
winning endeavor on the Jaykawks women's team.
  Mr. President, this short history cannot convey the atmosphere of 
college basketball played at ``Phog'' Allen Field House, which opened 
in 1955. Although it resembles a large Kansas barn, when it's filled 
with 16,300 Jaykawkers it quickly becomes a near impossible place for 
opposing teams to win. The mood of the building is often inspiring, and 
Coach Allen's spirit is said to remain in residence and aid the 
Jaykawks in times of need.
  On this 100th anniversary of KU basketball, I want the past and 
present fans, alumni, players and coaches to know the United States 
Senate appreciates their efforts for the past one hundred years in 
contributing to, and perpetuating the heritage of America's unique 
game; basketball.

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