The GREATEST Basketball Schedule…EVER.

I couldn’t be more thrilled to write about the newest addition to the vault today. Indeed, this may be the GREATEST basketball schedule ever made…and for a number of reasons.

To rewind a bit, several days ago I had one of those moments as a collector when you come across something that is simply meant to be — and you must go to whatever lengths necessary to bring it into your collection. Also, I couldn’t ignore how incredibly rare this piece is. For some time now, I’ve been working on a repurposing project using original flooring from IU’s New Field House, now commonly known as the “Bill Garrett Field House”. The venue has been known by several names over the years, including the Wildermuth Intramural Center and more generally as the “hyper”, because of its connection to the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER). An absolute mecca of college basketball, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to unite my flooring piece with this incredible piece of IU basketball history.

As the saying goes, they don’t make things like they used to. Measuring 3” tall and 6” wide, this schedule was made on a heavy weight cardstock with all text and an old school IU logo fully embossed. Whomever obtained this back in the day, and held it over the course of the roughly 95 years of its existence, has meticulously preserved this amazing relic. The damn thing is in MINT condition. And I can assure you it will remain that way for the next 95 years!

For those of you that may not know, on December 8, 1928, former player and legendary Coach Branch McCracken scored the first points of the first game in the venue via free throw against the Washington Bears, a game that IU would lose 31-30. The dedication game that followed five days later against the Pennsylvania Quakers would result in the first victory, with IU defeating Penn 34-26 in front of a sold out crowd. Originally, the venue could host up to 8,000 people.

My court floor project has been in a bit of a standstill for some time now, mainly because of how busy I’ve been professionally over the last several months. However, this new piece has provided a new spark to get that project finished so I can somehow showcase both the floor and this piece together — as they should be. Until next time, GO HOOSIERS!