Vinegar Joe Stilwell Founded Basketball at West Point
STILWELL’s NOTES ON BASKETBALL
He Coached the Team in 1903, 1904, 1907 – 1908, 1909 – 1910, 1910 – 1911, and 1913 – 1914
1902-1903
In Dec. 1902, baskets were put up in the gym and a squad began to throw the ball around afternoons. Scrub games were run off at times.
The squad sifted down soon to Hackett, Dowd, Stilwell, Allin & Anderson, ’04, Merchant & Tompkins ’05, & Jones & Hetrick ’06. No ’03 man ever played that I remember. There was no manager.
When a team began to crystallize, permission was obtained to play a game. One exhibition game was played, & then a game with the Yonkers Y.M.C.A. The Army won 54-10.
Army line-up being Hackett & Merchant, forwards, Dowd, center, & Jones & Hetrick, guards. Some of the other men on the squad played in the game.
1903-1904
F. Hackett (Capt.), Merchant ’04 ’05
C Dowd ’04
G. Hetrick, Jones, Stilwell ’06 ’06 ’04
Mgr. Stilwell ’04
Tompkins ’05, Pratt, H.C. ’04, & Castle ’07 also on squad
5 games were played this year.
Inducted into the Army Sports Hall of Fame September 17, 2010
For What They Gave on Saturday Afternoon 
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