|
Scarce Autograph of Forrest C. Allen, the “Father of Basketball Coaching.”
Lot 250. Scarce Autograph of Forrest C. Allen, the “Father of Basketball Coaching.” Allen was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959 as part of the inaugural class, which included his college coach, basketball inventor James Naismith. In 49 seasons as a basketball coach, he won college national championships at the University of Kansas in 1922, 1923 and 1952. Allen retired with a 771-233 record – more wins than any other college coach at the time. His own success and his development of successful coaches earned him recognition as the “Father of Basketball Coaching.” Among his students were four future Hall of Fame coaches – Dutch Lonborg, Ralph Miller, Dean Smith and Adolph Rupp. Largely through his efforts, basketball became an official Olympic sport in 1936. Allen coached the 1952 U.S. team to the Olympic gold medal. His large fountain pen signature is a mint 9 on a typed letter that apparently congratulates an Indiana student and invites him to visit the Kansas campus. The letter has some stains away from the signature. Allen died in 1974. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $291.
Back to List
|
|
|
|
