1938 Diagonal Maroons State Champs - 74th Anniversary
VARNER, WATSON DICKINS, KNAPP, PINE, IVES, BROWN, DAVENPORT, NICHOLS, SLAVIK, BEYMER, TINDLE, RICE
Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 9/12/2013 at 14:58:33
Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, January 03, 20132013 marks anniversary of Diagonal
state basketball championshipThe new year marks the 75th anniversary of Diagonal high school's boys state basketball tournament in 1938.
The March 24, 1938 Mount Ayr Record-News ran a front page story on the town celebration:
"A celebration unparalleled in the history of Diagonal was held yesterday in the town's main street in honor of the Diagonal Maroons, state basketball champions, of Iowa, and their coach, O.C. (Pop) VARNER.
"Weather conditions were ideal. At one o'clock crowds started gathering for the big event, and by the time the program started the streets were jammed. All town schools were dismissed, the court house was closed and business was quiet while the 'holiday' was observed.
"The program, part of which was broadcast over stations KMA, KRNT and WMT, started at 1:30. Andy WOOLFRIES, popular sports announcer, served as mastor of ceremonies.
"Governor Nelson G. Kraschel headlined the speaking program. Other speakers were Dr. E. J. WATSON of Diagonal; Geo. A. Brown, secretary of the Iowa High School Athletic association; Vera F. DICKINS, county superintendent of schools, and Harry G. KNAPP, principal and football coach of the Mount Ayr high school.
"Band music was furnished by the Chariton, Creston, Lorimor and Mount Ayr high school bands, and the combined Mount Ayr high school and American Legion band.
"Other entertainment included numbers by the Diagonal high school boys' quartet and the JOHNSTON sisters of Tingley.
"Free sandwiches and coffee were served to the hungry thron in the evening. Over 1,350 pounds of beef were cooked for the occasion.
"All committees worked hard in promoting the celebration. Approximately $600 were raised by the finance committee to defray expenses."
A separate article announced the public showing of tournament action at the Princess Theater in Mount Ayr.
"Motion pictures of the final game of the state high school basketball tournament, in which Diagonal won the title from Rolfe, 31-29, will be shown at the Princess Theatre on Wednesday, March 30-31.
"The pictures show many action shots of the most exciting final game in tournament history, including the break for Diagonal with PINE tossing in a pair of free throws, which puts Digaonal into the lead that eventually means victory and the state championship."
Although never mentioned in either article, teh members of that team were Max IVES, Claire BROWN, Marshall DAVENPORT, Miles NICHOLS, Eugene PINE, Raymond SLAVIK, Bud BEYMER, Cletus TINDLE, James DICKENS and Lewis RICE.
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2013
Ringgold Documents maintained by Tony Mercer.
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