Monmouth Celebrates a Century of Basketball

January 10, 2000

On the night of Jan. 27, 1900, the first-ever Monmouth College men’s basketball team took the floor, losing an 18-8 contest to now-defunct Lombard College in Galesburg.

Despite a 2-2 record, the Ravelings yearbook wrote of the initial season: "For the future of the game, we believe these words will be prophetic; that with a seasoned team, an enthusiastic student body, and the advantages of our new gymnasium, the game of basket ball in Monmouth will keep pace with its ever-growing national popularity."

A century later, those words can indeed be deemed prophetic, and the college will celebrate the 100th anniversary of men’s basketball when the Scots play host to Carroll College Jan. 29 at Glennie Gymnasium.

Several special events have been planned for that day, including the annual alumni game, which will be played at 12 noon. Prior to the men’s tip-off at 2 p.m., a banner will be unveiled commemorating the seven Midwest Conference championship teams. Players in attendance from those seven squads, which date as far back as the 1937-38 season, will participate in the unveiling.

Other highlights of the day will include a souvenir program full of memorable moments from the school’s first 100 years of basketball, and a performance by a special-edition Monmouth College pep band, under the direction of Professor Jim Betts.

The women’s team will close the activities with a 4 p.m. game.