THE REUNION GAME

Did Dad ever coach again after his retirement in 1959? Yes he did; January 30, 1993.

A group of his ex-players were having a get together to honor Bob Pierce (1946) who was being inducted into the UN-L Basketball Hall of Fame. They decided it would be fun to play a game of basketball with as many guys from the 1944 to 1947 teams who would like to participate.

I got involved when Duane (Chief) Grady (1946) stopped by my office in the UN-L Coliseum. He was inquiring about the possibility of using the coliseum for their reunion basketball game, and he wanted daddy to be the coach along with former assistant basketball coach Chuck Worrall. I couldn't resist this one!

I talked to my boss Dr. Barbara A. Hibner - UN-L Women's Athletic Director and she made the necessary phone calls. The teams would be THE CHAMPS vs THE ALL STARS. Using the Coliseum was a homecoming of its own as that is where the high school championship games were played long before the Devaney Sports Center.

When Dad, Mom, and I discussed this upcoming event, Dad got an idea. Now days at the end of the high school championship games, each athlete is awarded a medal. Back in the 1940's this tradition had not been established. Dad thought it would be great to award medals to these players as a special surprise at the end of the game. I don't know what put the biggest smile on Dad's face that day; the players clowning around, playing the game, or when he presented the medals. Pictures speak a thousand words.

Publicity

A newspaper article appeared about the game under "High School Notes"
"The undefeated Lincoln High basketball team of 1945-46 is going to put its record on the line. Some of the members of the state championship team which was 26-0 will take on members of the 1946-47 team in a half-court, three-man game January 29 at the NU Coliseum."
"Lyle Weyand who coached both teams will be the coach of both teams again. The '45-46 team will be manned by Bob "Shorty" Pearce, the newest member of the Nebraska Basketball Hall of Fame along with  "Jumping" Jack Deffenbaugh Melvin "Wimpy" Knopp, Donnie Hergert and Duane "Chief" Grady. John Moore will be the captain of the 1946-47 team. Former Assistant Basketball coach . . . Chuck Worrall will be the referee."

The article had a couple of errors; the game was played January 30, 1993, and John recruited a couple of guys form the 1943-44 team and the 1944-45 team.

The Inscription

The inscription on the back reads "1-30-93 Lincoln High All-Stars vs '45-46 Undefeated State High School Championship Links". I went to Awards Unlimited with the request for these medals and they very graciously obliged. What a keepsake.

More pictues are posted at my Photo Album Link.

The Team As It Looked in 1946