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I have to admire the dogged determination of WstateU to keep the legacy of Ross McBurney alive and kicking. Hard to know how serious one our all-time great Shockernet humorists is about his Ross McBurney crusade so I thought I would start a discussion to see what everyone thinks plus it gives me a chance to educate myself a little on some Shocker history.
Ross, who is in the Shocker Hall of Fame played three seasons as a Shocker from 1926-1929. The 1926-27 school year was the first year as the Municipal University of Wichita. In 1926-27 the Shockers played in the KIAC (the predecessor to the current KCAC). In 1927-28 and 1927-29 they played in the CIC. They played primarily a mix of what are now Kansas NAIA schools and D-II programs. While the Shockers were generally successful at 49-14 during McBurney's 3 years they probably averaged about 35 points a game and played a total of 1 game against what is now an NCAA D-I program (Colorado). Definitely a different game and level back then. The Shocks played in the CIC through the 1939-40 season. Looks like they were not affiliated with a conference from 1940-41 through 1944-45 and did not field a team in 1943-44 due to WWII. The Shockers joined the MVC in the 1945-46 season. So the dividing line between between the modern era of Shocker basketball and the the previous era would seem to be WWII.
Ross was an AAU All-American in 1926-1929 after leading the Shockers to a 19-2 record and a 3rd place finish in the AAU Tournament. That All-American team consisted of 5 players. Ross, plus 3 players from Hillyard Chemical (St. Joeseph, Missouri) and a player from Ke-Nash-A (Kenosha, Wisconsin). He was also an AAU All-American in 1929 but that was as a member of the Wichita Henry's.
Clearly Ross McBurney was the best Shocker of the pre-war era and is recognized in the Shocker Halll of Fame. Does his jersey belong in the rafters? Well I guess if the only qualification is All-American status the answer would be yes. If the qualification is to be an All-American in the post-war modern era then the answer is no. BTW, I do not know of any such qualification although I don't know if anyone really knows what the standard is. I guess the question is should there be such a demarcation?
I guess another line of demarcation could be to only include players who played in the Roundhouse but if that was the case Cleo LIttleton would not qualify. His last year was the 1954-55 season. The Roundhouse opened in December 1955. The Roundhouse was called the House That Ralph Built but it was probably the House that Ralph and Cleo Built so no way you could deny Cleo.
So what do you all think ShockerNet. Should Ross McBurney be in the rafters or should it just live on as a ShockerNet meme?
Another question. Does anyone know of any living Shocker Fan who saw Ross McBurney play.
Ross, who is in the Shocker Hall of Fame played three seasons as a Shocker from 1926-1929. The 1926-27 school year was the first year as the Municipal University of Wichita. In 1926-27 the Shockers played in the KIAC (the predecessor to the current KCAC). In 1927-28 and 1927-29 they played in the CIC. They played primarily a mix of what are now Kansas NAIA schools and D-II programs. While the Shockers were generally successful at 49-14 during McBurney's 3 years they probably averaged about 35 points a game and played a total of 1 game against what is now an NCAA D-I program (Colorado). Definitely a different game and level back then. The Shocks played in the CIC through the 1939-40 season. Looks like they were not affiliated with a conference from 1940-41 through 1944-45 and did not field a team in 1943-44 due to WWII. The Shockers joined the MVC in the 1945-46 season. So the dividing line between between the modern era of Shocker basketball and the the previous era would seem to be WWII.
Ross was an AAU All-American in 1926-1929 after leading the Shockers to a 19-2 record and a 3rd place finish in the AAU Tournament. That All-American team consisted of 5 players. Ross, plus 3 players from Hillyard Chemical (St. Joeseph, Missouri) and a player from Ke-Nash-A (Kenosha, Wisconsin). He was also an AAU All-American in 1929 but that was as a member of the Wichita Henry's.
Clearly Ross McBurney was the best Shocker of the pre-war era and is recognized in the Shocker Halll of Fame. Does his jersey belong in the rafters? Well I guess if the only qualification is All-American status the answer would be yes. If the qualification is to be an All-American in the post-war modern era then the answer is no. BTW, I do not know of any such qualification although I don't know if anyone really knows what the standard is. I guess the question is should there be such a demarcation?
I guess another line of demarcation could be to only include players who played in the Roundhouse but if that was the case Cleo LIttleton would not qualify. His last year was the 1954-55 season. The Roundhouse opened in December 1955. The Roundhouse was called the House That Ralph Built but it was probably the House that Ralph and Cleo Built so no way you could deny Cleo.
So what do you all think ShockerNet. Should Ross McBurney be in the rafters or should it just live on as a ShockerNet meme?
Another question. Does anyone know of any living Shocker Fan who saw Ross McBurney play.
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