Turn the page if you're not a sports lover. This edition leans heavily that direction. The only salvation is that a Boone reference will eventually come to the fore.
Unfortunately, they're here........time for those dreaded Iowa/Iowa State athletic matchups. This time of year, of course, its in basketball......and adding to the discomfort, right in the middle of what should be a festive holiday season.
I, the Kornerman, have always shown my disdane for this rivalry but give me a break. Its not that I don't care for the teams involved, quite the opposite, its my love for both that have spurred my angst.
Tommorrow night, Wednesday, December 10, the two women's teams lock up and the following night, the Cyclone and Iowa men's teams battle for bragging rights.
All four units, so far, are having bang-up beginnings this season, which is wonderful for the state and fans involved. However, Friday morning, two of them will be a.......do I have to say it......loser. And that's my hangup........I love them all and take any of their losses seriously. Actually, I could say the same thing about ANY Iowa based teams.
K-----K
About that Boone thing.
In the late 1940's, the Kelley family moved to Boone and I was slated to enter seventh grade here. A member of the Toreador faculty was Frank (Bucky) O'Conner, who I remember as a Physical Education instructor as well as the coach of the BHS boy's basketball team.
In 1948, some of us remember that great Toreador team, led by unanimous all-stater, Bob (Pinky) Clifton and coach O'Conner, that earned a State Tourney berth.
Coach O'Conner was gone the next year, accepting a position as, among other things, the Hawkeyes freshman boys basketball coach.
Unexpectedly, "Pops" Harrison, who had been the Iowa head boys basketball coach since 1942, was forced to yield those duties due to illness and Coach O'Conner, at mid-season, was quickly inserted as the head coach of the Hawkeyes.
Unbelieveable! Toreador coach one year and Iowa men's University basketball coach the next.
Who would have ever thought that such a fast, unexpected move might result in one of the most successful eras in Iowa Hawkeye basketball ever.
In fact, I, the Kornerman, state that Bucky O'Conner has to be in contention for the best basketball coach the Hawkeyes have ever had. I know.......Lute Olson, Sam Barry, George Raveling and Ralph Miller are National Hall of Famers and Dr. Tom Davis should be.
The only knock I can see on Bucky's resume is the fact that he only coached eight years before, tragically, being killed in an auto mishap. However, only four Iowa coaches have put in more years, Fran McCaffrey 15; Rollie Williams 14, Davis 13 and Olson nine.
Let's look at some other contenders. Pops Harrison, eight years, a winning percentage of .700, which is the best ever. Then comes O'Conner, eight years at .659; Dr. Davis 13 years at .658, Olson nine years at .635 and Miller six years at .651.
That's all fine and dandy but here's the kicker........Iowa has won eight conference championships, including 1945 under Harrison and both 1955 and 1956 under O'Conner. AND, the Hawkeyes have been in the elite Final Four three times......1980 under Olson and twice, 1955 and 1956, under O'Conner.
Barely second in all-time winning percentage, only Iowa coach with two conference championships and only Iowa coach with two Final Four teams. What more should be required?
I rest my case.
K-----K
Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. Leave a message. To email your stories/memories/comments/death notices..........https://kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.
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