NIT 50th Anniversary Week

[CarlosTheJackal]

I'm old, but I'm not old enough to have been around for the historic NIT win in 1958. Will the glorious oldies but goodies who had the privilege please give us both a historical run down --- the fast start, the losing streak, the attempt to withdraw the invitation, beating Dayton on a national stage --- as well as their own personal memories.

I would also like to hear some commentary on the inability to capitalize on this good fortune during the 60s. Now, a run to the Final Four is a great recruiting tool. Was the "promotion" of McCafferty to AD a bad move for the basketball program?

Wax eloquent, please!

[gundun]

The short answer was FUNDING. However, I am sure that Wiseowl may have another side of the story.
The things we did in these days with the funds we had though the mid to late 60s were amazing.
Big Jim worked great deals to schedule attractive teams and make us some money; Ray worked miracles in getting us gear; even Ruby was a good recruiter; but I would expect that we didn't actually scout half of the teams we played. (Unless you count using prior years' game film.) It was only after this period that some big boosters came in with money, but they blamed the wrong things. It was another 10 years before we got the program moving towards where it is todayand started getting real money. This is one reason I have the AFO in my will.

BTW, I said these same things years ago on the old MM format.

Wise, what is your take?

[CarlosTheJackal]

Bumping this up for selfish reasons, want some commentary from q, wise, and shadow, and anyt others who were kids, students or otherwise followed the '58 team.

It would be so perfectly symmetrical for the Muskies to make a great run this season.

[XU 87]

I wasn't around either. But I took my mom to the LaSalle game this weekend and she really wanted the 1958 team photo. She then told me that in mid March 1958 she was in the hospital and was in labor with my older brother. My dad was a huge X fan and the ob/gyn was also a Xavier grad. At one point my mom asked the nurse, "Where are my husband and the doctor?" The nurse told her, "Oh, they're out in the lobby listening to the Xavier NIT game."

[muskieman]

Did she get her photo?

[XU 87]

Of course. And since you're still up, maybe we should head over to Jerry's Lounge for a few cold ones.

[wkrq59]

I'll have to do some mental research because I have a couple of pressing issues on my mind at this time. Gimme a couple of days. I have a lot of memories of that year and the season before it. But it'll take time. Have at it Owl.

[muskieman]

Of course. And since you're still up, maybe we should head over to Jerry's Lounge for a few cold ones.

Not up for long...just found out I have two appointment set for 9:30 in the morning. Sure with I had the power to be two places at one time. Jerry's lounge was never my cup of tea...someone talked into a partnership in that place and it turned out sour but that was in the past.


I thought maybe had she not gotten one I would have given her one of mine. I probably will send it to Atl's son.

[gym from delhi]

I remember the NIT wanting X to give up their bid, because of the long losing streak that followed acceptance; I believe X had an academically ineligible player (Corny Freeman?), whose loss really hurt. I watched the game on a tiny black and whitw with my Dad, who noted that X had laready lost to Dayton that season, perhaps even twice. After X won Hank Stein put the cup on his head like a crown. We went to the tiny Greater Cincinnati airport to welcome home the team, then later to Schmidt for a victory celebration.

[CarlosTheJackal]

OK, last bump, and last request for our 50s kinda guys to give us some little tidbits and insider info.
The '58 team is being honored Sunday... who were the heros who will be attending, who has passed?

I am particularly interested on the take on McCafferty getting promoted to AD. Was that a given, that coaching paid so poorly, an "intelligent" guy would want to move up to AD while the getting was good?

Did those recruits come to us as luck, or astute management of limited recruiting? It was a pretty solid cast of players...was it evident from day 1, or did they grow into it?

How about the losing streak after the bid... bad luck, injuries?

Give it up, Q!