John Schommer

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

John Schommer
John Schommer
Personal information
Born(1884-01-29)January 29, 1884
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedJanuary 11, 1960(1960-01-11) (aged 75)
NationalityAmerican
Career information
CollegeChicago (1905–1909)
PositionCenter
Career history
As coach:
1910–1911Chicago
Career highlights and awards
Basketball Hall of Fame as player
College Basketball Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2006

John Joseph Schommer (January 29, 1884 – January 11, 1960) was an American multi-sport athlete in the 1900s. He is considered by some to be the first basketball superstar and one of the first great all-around athletes.[1] The Chicago, Illinois native was the first athlete in University of Chicago history to win 12 letters in American football, basketball, baseball and track.[2] This earned him the nickname "Mr. Everything". Schommer was a four-time All-American in basketball and led the Maroons to three straight Big Ten championships (1907–09).[3] He was named the Helms Foundation College Basketball Player of the Year for the 1908-09 season. One of his most famous moments was when he made an 80-foot field goal which helped lift Chicago over University of Pennsylvania in the final game of the 1907-08 regular season, winning them the championship. He was one of the first four players inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "University of Chicago's John Schommer was basketball's first superstar". 8 September 2012.
  2. ^ "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: John Schommer".
  3. ^ "John Schommer".