1897–98 Michigan State Normal Normalites men's basketball team

1897–98 Michigan State Normal Normalites men's basketball
ConferenceIndependent
Record2–1
Head coach
  • Lemley P. Whitcomb (1st season)
Home arenaGymnasium
Seasons

In 1897 men's basketball is introduced at Michigan State Normal School. The inaugural team went 2–1. 1897–98 was the first season of basketball at the school, which would become Eastern Michigan University Eagles men's basketball team. L.P. Whitcomb was elected the basketball manager at the same meeting that basketball became an official school sport.[1]

1898 Michigan State Normal College Men's Basketball Team
1898 Michigan State Normal College Gymnasium
L.P. Whitcomb Michigan State Normal College Men's Basketball Manager 1898

Roster

Number Name Position Class Hometown Games Played
John W. Mitchell Forward Junior Ida, MI 1
Walter J. Rankin Forward Junior Ray, MI 1
Earl Reid Guard Sophomore Alpine, MI 1
Benjamin J. Watters Guard Senior Marlette, MI 1
Fred Q. Gorten Center Sophomore Ypsilanti, MI 1

Schedule

Date
time, TV 		Rank# Opponent# Result Record Site (attendance)
city, state
Non-conference regular season
March 4, 1898*
 at Detroit Y.M.C.A L 0-2  0-1
 Gymnasium 
Detroit, MI
March 15, 1898*
 at Detroit Y.M.C.A W 4-0  1–1
  (2,000-2,500)
Detroit, MI
March 1898*
 Olivet W 1-0 (Real score unknown)  2-1
 Gymnasium 
Ypsilanti, MI
1898*
 Albion Gymnasium 
Ypsilanti, MI
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Eastern Time.

[2] [3] [4] [5]

Game Notes

March 4, 1898

The Eastern Michigan school newspaper wrote that the game was played in Detroit, MI. The Media Guide shows the game was a home game.

March 15, 1898

EMU led 2-0 at the half. Two minutes into the 2nd half EMU scored to make it 4-0. Then had to leave to "catch their train" and the game was ended.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Detroit Free Press 06 Mar 1898, page Page 19". Detroit Free Press. March 6, 1898. p. 19. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  2. ^ "Eastern Michigan Men's Basketball Media Guide" (PDF). Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  3. ^ The Aurora: Senior Class Annual (V ed.). Ypsilanti: Press of the Commercial. 1898.
  4. ^ "The Normal College News". Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  5. ^ "Michigan State Normal Year Book, 1897-1898". Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  6. ^ "Big Meet and Crowd". Detroit Free Press. March 16, 1898. Retrieved April 5, 2024.