The University of Dayton Men’s Basketball Program :: Essays Papers

The University of Dayton Men’s Basketball Program There have been many historical moments with the University of Dayton Flyers Men’s Basketball team, but Mark Weaver recalls of the one that meant most to him. It took place on March 24, 1967, in Louisville’s Freedom Hall for the Final Four of the NCAA (National College Athletic Association) tournament against the highly favored North Carolina Tar Heels (Collett 228). This was the third straight NCAA tournament appearance for the Flyers, but their first ever Final Four (Collett 228). It turned out that the Flyers smashed North Carolina, seventy-six to sixty-two. Don May hit a record thirteen straight field goals and scored thirty-four points (Collett 228). Mark Weaver, a lifetime fan said, â€Å"I remember that game like it was yesterday, it almost brings tears to my eyes. I have never seen UD party like we did the night of that game. I have been following Dayton basketball since the mid-1960s and I have yet to witness the team getting a greater win than the one over the Tar Heels.† The basketball program, at UD, started back in 1903, when the school was called St. Mary’s Institute (Collett 17). The boys only played six games, and won five of the six (Collett 17). In 1920, the school changed its name to the University of Dayton; it had an unsuccessful season with only five wins and eight losses (Collett 13). The turning point of the program took place in 1950 when the team began to bring in more fans and more wins. Coach Tom Blackburn was in control of his Flyers better than anyone could have ever imagined. In 1950, he led the team to a twenty-four and eight season (Flyers). He demanded that it was time for the University to build a new field house that could seat many more fans (Collett 13). Fundraisers began to take place led by alumni and current students. Finally in November of 1950, a brand new five thousand seven hundred seated field house was built (Collett 13). The team kept on bringing in more wins and more fans, and the field house was filled every night (Collett 13). This was the beginning of a new dynasty for the University of Dayton Flyer’s Men’s Basketball program. The basketball games at the University of Dayton are unique in their own special way.