THE “PURPLE
DAYS” OF JACK GARDNER:
1.
Jack Gardner was born in New Mexico but was a star basketball player
at what Southern California University?
2.
Gardner’s
first high school coaching job produced two championship teams in two seasons.
Can you name that California
High School?
3.
From high school, Gardner
moved on to coach championship teams at what California Junior College?
4.
Gardner arrived
at Kansas State in the summer of 1939. What conference did the Wildcats belong
to?
5.
In Gardner’s
first encounter with Kansas Jayhawk coaching legend Phog Allen, the Cats lost 34-33. In the game, Gardner used a new defense that few had
seen. Can you describe this unusual
defense (Hint: A hockey goalie will help
you)?
6.
Gardner’s
first recruiting class of 1940 was dubbed “the Fab
Five.” Can you name any of these players
(Hint: One player later became an
All-American at Oklahoma)?
7.
In 1940-41, Kansas State
fans were desperate for a new field house.
Fans routinely sat in the rafters of their tiny gymnasium and over-flow
crowds were common. What was the name of this tiny gymnasium? Who was the gym named after?
8.
In 1942, after three seasons in Manhattan,
Gardner left
K-State. Why?
9.
In 1946, Gardner
returned to K-State. This Hoisington, Kansas, high school star
was one of his first big recruits. He would
become Gardner’s
second All-American? Who is he? Later in
life, our All-American campaigned for what state political office?
10.
On January 20, 1947, K-State defeated Rockhurst
College, 51-44. That win began a streak that continues to
this day. What is the streak?
11.
Who was Gardner’s
first All-American at K-State (Hint: He
was the star on the ’48 team that qualified for the school’s first Final
Four)? Can you name the four teams of
the ’48 Final Four?
12.
The’48 season saw Gardner hire a new assistant coach. Today, he is a Hall of Fame Coach who
collects championship rings! Who is
he? He has a nickname: What is his real
first name?
13.
On February 5, 1948, “the Father of K-State
athletics died.” This legend hired Jack
Gardner. Who was he and what building is named for
him?
14.
The 1949 team featured two future
All-Americans: One from Hoisington (see
question 9) and one from Wellington. Name the Wellington star?
15.
At the end of the 1950 season, KU, K-State and Nebraska all tied for
the league title. Only one team could
advance into the NCAA playoffs. Despite
having the best record, K-State did not go. Can you relate the unusual
circumstances that allowed KU to go to the NCAA Tournament?
16.
K-State’s ’51 team (the school’s greatest ever)
lost the national championship game to what school?
17.
In 1952, this Wamego native became the last
Wildcat All-American for Jack Gardner. Can you name him?
18.
The ’52 team also saw the first African-American
player to attend K-State on a basketball scholarship. Name this player, who was nicknamed “The
Jet”?
19.
In 1953, Gardner
became embroiled in a controversy involving what legendary basketball
team?
20.
Gardner
left K-State after the ’53 season. He went to what University? Who replaced Gardner at K-State?
21.
What was Gardner’s
overall record at K-State?
Extra Credit: Who called Gardner “the Boy Wonder Coaching
Marvel in Manhattan?”
All of the answers to these
questions can be found in “It’s Time
to Play!”