A Legacy on the Court: The History of Washburn University Basketball

The Washburn Ichabods men's basketball team represents Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, in the NCAA Division II men's basketball competition. From its humble beginnings in the early 20th century to its national championship victory and continued success in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), the Washburn Ichabods men's basketball program boasts a rich and storied history. This article explores the key figures, achievements, and defining moments that have shaped the program into what it is today.

Early Years and Formation

Beginning with the 1905-06 season, the program's first, Harry C. Byrd was chosen to lead the program. In his first four seasons as head coach, Byrd led the Ichabods to winning records and a total of 31-20. In 1909-10 season, Byrd led the Ichabods their first conference championship. In 1921, Dwight Ream took over the program for one season. After Ream left with an 8-9 record, Mike Vosburg took over for the 1922-23 season. Vosburg left with a 7-11 record. After two years with two different coaches, McPherson College coach, Dutch Lonborg, became head coach. From 1923 to 1927, Lonborg led the Ichabods to a 61-14-1 record, producing the second, and last, of the team's two ties as well as winning two conference regular season championships. When Lonborg left after the 1926-27 season, Washburn entered a new era: Roy Wynne was named head coach, and the school joined the newly created Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. During Wynne's three seasons as head coach, he produced a 29-22 record. Following Wynne's departure, McPherson's football coach, George Gardner, took over. Coaching for three seasons and a total record of 19-28, Gardner was fired and was replaced by Elmer Holm. Holm's first season was a losing season and the last year in the CIAC.

Conference Shifts and Post-War Era

In 1934, Washburn joined the Missouri Valley Conference. Holm led the team for two more seasons, ending with a record of 21-36. For the next thirty years after World War II, the Washburn saw five coaches come and go, with the addition of an interim for three games. In 1946, Washburn rejoined the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference after competing in the Missouri Valley for nine seasons and no conference for three during the war. After the war, Washburn hired Topeka High School basketball coach Adrian Miller, for would coach for five seasons. Before Miller took the helm of the team, Washburn went nearly 20 years without a winning season and although Miller went 8-11 overall in his first season, Miller quickly turned the team around in 1947-48 going 15-9. For the next three seasons, Miller led the Ichabods to 10 wins or more. In 1960, Norm Short took over for the Ichabods for the next six seasons, leading the team to a 46-74 record, with only one winning season.

The Bob Chipman Era: A Golden Age

In 1979, Washburn assistant head coach Bob Chipman took over the program. During his first five years as head coach, Chipman led the Ichabods to a 105-46 overall record, winning three MIAA tournament championships from 1982 through 1984.

The 1986-87 National Championship Season

The 1986-87 Ichabods finished the year 35-4 with an NAIA national championship. Coached by Hall of Fame head coach Bob Chipman, who was then in his eighth year, the Ichabods went 35-4, won the Central States Intercollegiate Conference championship and ended the year on a 22-game winning streak, including the five games of the NAIA national tournament played in Kansas City, Mo., in Kemper Arena. Washburn defeated West Virginia State, 79-77 in the national championship game on March 17, 1987. All-Americans Tom Meier and Rich Hamilton played on the team. Meier was a first team honoree that year, finishing his career as Washburn’s second leading scorer with 2,082 points. He is also one of just two members of Washburn’s 2,000 points/1,000 rebounds club as he had 1,155 boards during his four years. The team was honored during a 2006-07 basketball game as it celebrated the 20-year anniversary of its championship.

Read also: Washburn's Campus and Community

The Modern Era: Brett Ballard at the Helm

Ballard replaced Bob Chipman, who retired after the 2016-17 season. The team is currently coached by Brett Ballard, who is in his eighth year at the helm. The Ichabods currently compete in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). Washburn annually plays a thirty-game conference schedule that is preceded by an out-of-conference schedule that includes three exhibition games.

Jeremiah Jones and Defensive Prowess

During Jeremiah Jones’ recruitment process, Washburn head coach Brett Ballard spoke openly to the 6-foot-3 guard. “If you come here and learn our system. You will be successful,” Ballard told Jones. “You will be leading the nation in steals.” Once he heard those words from Ballard, Jones was bought in and ready to lead No. 3 Washburn (27-1, 17-1 in the MIAA). The junior guard transferred after two fantastic seasons with the University of Mary. Last year, he finished third in the nation in steals per game. Jones also set the Marauders program record for total steals in a season. This year, Jones hasn’t missed a beat. While he holds Mary’s record for steals, he is now in the history books for Washburn, too. Jones has the most steals for one single season in Washburn history. He has collected 84 total steals, which surpasses Will McNeill’s record of 82 steals set in the 2012-13 season. Jones earned the record in Washburn’s 88-49 win against Pittsburg State on Wednesday, Feb. 25. He finished the game with eight points and three steals. The Ichabods pride themselves on a trapping style defense. When ball screens arrive, Washburn loves to get into its opponent’s faces, forcing turnover after turnover. Jones leads the nation with 84 steals this year, too. The mark also ranks second-best when Division I teams are included. He only trails Bowling Green’s Javontae Campbell in this category. Setting the Washburn single-season steals record is impressive for Jones. But the thing that Ballard values the most about his starting guard is much more than the stat itself.

Washburn High School Basketball: A Glimpse into the Past

An early history of Washburn basketball from the early 1900’s to 1970. The Early Years It appears that the first year of organized basketball in Washburn was 1908, they went 4-0 in the Northern League. Washburn won the Northern League and Ashland the Southern League, in a three game championship series Ashland defeated Washburn two games to 1. Leon “Ike” Stoddard was a first team All County selection and Bill Duncan was a second team selection. Principal Chester Grant was the coach.

1910s: Early League Competition

In 1911 they finished second behind Bridgewater with a record of 8-2, had the highest point total for a single game during the season of 75 against Fort Fairfield, defeating them 75-3. 1912 they played in the Aroostook Central School League compiling a record of 9-3. The roster was comprised of Ernest Umphrey, Harry Duncan, Hanford Crouse, Fay Shaw and George Carter, Coach was Wallace Woodman. 1913: The last game of the league series will be played in Caribou Friday evening March 14. A special train will start from Presque Isle at 7 o’clock for Caribou. The return trip fare will be 50 cents. Everybody come. At the time Washburn H.S. was 1 - 6. Key members of the team were: Umphrey, Porter, Crouse, Blackstone and Johnson. Final League standings: Presque Isle 8 - 0, Caribou 4 - 4, Ashland 4 - 4, A.C.I. 3 - 5 and Washburn 1 - 7.

1920s: Championships and League Titles

2014 - 2015 There was nothing written about basketball in Washburn from 1914 - 1915. 1916: There were only three teams in the league that year and Washburn was not one of them. 1917: At the beginning of this season Easton, Limestone and Washburn formed the “Triangular League of Northern Aroostook”. Washburn won the league championship with four consecutive victories and had an overall record of 5 and 3. 1920: Basketball was back in Washburn in 1920, research shows that they had split with Presque Isle during the season. Presque won the league championship but as a result of having split with Presque Isle Washburn felt that they were entitled to a play-off game with Presque Isle. The game was played in Caribou with Presque Isle soundly defeating Washburn 25-7. In 1921 Washburn produced its first Championship team in 13 years. The University of Maine had its first basketball tournament that year. A play-off series was held in the County to determine who would represent them at the tournament. St. Marys of Van Buren, Ricker Classical Institute, Washburn and Fort Fairfield would play-off, St. Mary’s defeated Ricker 26 to 18 and Washburn defeated Fort Fairfield 28 to 24. The final play-off game was held in Orono with St. Mary’s defeating Washburn 32 to 25. Anson Story led the way for Washburn with 11 points. Their overall record that year was 15-5. In 1922 the Aroostook County Interscholastic Championship and representation as to who would represent the County at the UMO tournament was decided between Washburn, Houlton and A.C.I. The play-off occurred at Orono. A.C.I defeated Houlton 37-30 and then lost to Washburn 26 to 25. Washburn played Mattanawcook in the finals and were beaten 41-15. Washburn completed their season with a 9-8 record. The basketball team of Oak Grove Seminary won the final game for the University of Maine tournament championship Saturday morning bv defeating Mattanawoook Academy the High School champions, 27 to 14. In In the game for the second honors of the high school division Southwest Harbor defeated Washburn by a score of 22-21. This was the second annual tournament. 1923 Washburn won its third consecutive Aroostook County basketball championship and represented the County at the University of Maine Tournament. They defeated Skowhegan 18 to 9 and then lost to Bangor 47 to 12. Washburn had defeated Presque Isle in a play-off 45 to 29 game to determine the County Champion. Their final record was 11-3. There is little mention of Washburn in the 1924 and 1925 season, however they did have a team just little information available. 1926: The boys compiled a record of 1 - 9 in the Aroostook League. Washburn girls won their first Aroostook League title with a record of 9-1 in the league and 11-1 overall. Center Ruby Stoddard was their leading scorer with 316 points, Gertrude Stairs had 125 points, Thelma Crouse 102. The Washburn boys were last in the League with a record of 1 - 9. Plissey led Washburn in scoring with 86 points. 1927: Washburn boys finished fourth in the Aroostook League with a 4-6 record. Washburn was again led by Plissey with 78 points, G. Umphrey 57 amd K. Perry 44. The girls finished with a 0 - 8 record 1928: Washburn boys were fifth in the League with a 2 - 8 record while the girls were 0 - 10. 1929 The Washburn boys were last in the league with a 1-9 record. Estey was the leading scorer for Washburn with 61 points. The girls were also 3 - 5.

Read also: Washburn University Baseball

1930s: Continued League Play

1930: Washburn boys were 4-6 and the girls 2 - 8. In the early years County teams did quite well at the University of Maine Tournament. In 1922, 1924, 1926, 1927 and 1929 County entries were runners-up for the championship and other years made it to the semi-finals. In 1930 Houlton High School won the first Eastern Maine title for the northernmost County. Presque Isle dominated County basketball in 1931 winning two Eastern Maine Championships and the State Championship in 1932. The 1931 season Washburn boys were 1-9 and the girls 2-7 with 1 tie. Coach Cunningham was at the helm. 1932 Washburn boys were 1 - 9 and the girls 2 - 8. 1933: Washburn boys 1 - 9, Holts named to All Aroostook Second Team. Girls were 2-8; 1934 Washburn boys were 3-7, Griffin led the team in scoring with 77 points; the girls were 2 - 8, Hay was there leading scorer with 70 points. Lost to Presque Isle in the County Tournament 33 - 26. 1935 Washburn boys were 3 - 6, Griffin was named to the All Aroostook first team and Umphrey to the second team; and girls were 3 - 6. 1936 Washburn boys improved to 5 -5, W. Umphrey was selected to the All-County first team (he led Washburn in scoring with 79 points) and Cluff was a second team selection. There was no record available for girls this year. 1937 season Washburn finished with a 3 -7 record, Griffin was their leading scorer with 78 points and Crouse added 68; the girls were 1 - 9 Umphrey led them in scoring with 79 points and Lancaster contributed 39 . 1938 Washburn boys were 4-6 good for fifth place in the Aroostook League, two Mason boys were named to the All Aroostook 2nd team; the girls team was a very respectable 7 - 3 and finished in second place, Umphrey was named to the All Aroostook team. 1939 the boys finished 4th in the League with a 4-6 record. Won the Aroostook League Class B title and the Aroostook Class B Tournament. Stoddard was a first team All Aroostook selection while Libby and Russell were named to the second team. Washburn lost to Shead at the EM Tournament s 36 - 23, Stoddard led Washburn with 12 points. Stoddard led Washburn in scoring for the season with 64 points followed by Umphrey with 60; the girls were 2nd with 7 - 1 - 2 record, Mason and Bearce were named to the All-Aroostook team. Jack Harriman was the coach at this time. The girls had a successful season finishing first in the league with a 9 - 1 record.

1940s: Tournament Successes

1940 - Washburn won the County Small School tournament when they defeated Mapleton 36 - 13 in their first game, M. Russell led Washburn with 13 points. They then went on to defeat Sherman 37 - 26 with Russell leading the way again with 12 points. Libby and Umphey were named to the All-Tourney team. Washburn boys finished the season at 2 - 8, Libby led the team in scoring with 94 points, Russell was second with 76 points, both were named to the All Aroostook second team. Mattanawcook defeated Washburn in the EM Tournament quarter final 52 - 23, J. Russell was high man for Washburn with 7 points. No info available for girls team. 1941- Washburn finished last the League with a 0 - 10 record, the girls were second with a record of 2 - 2. The Washburn girls lost their final game of the season on their home floor to Houlton 20-13. 1942 - Washburn improved to 4 - 6 good for fourth place in the league and 9 - 8 overall. They lost their opening round game in the Aroostook Small School tournament to Mapleton. Everett Cary of Washburn led the league in scoring with 165 points and was selected to the All Aroostook second team. Coach: John Mills 1943 - Washburn finished 5th with a 2-8 league record and were 5 - 10 overall, Griffin was named to the All Aroostook team. 1944 - Washburn finished 5 - 8 good for 3rd place, Day of Washburn was named to the All Aroostook first team and Blackstone to the second team. 1945 - Washburn boys won the small school championship in a tournament run-off held at Presque Isle, they defeated Oakfield 37-16 and Mapleton 25-23. In the Oakfield game Washburn was led by Hall with 19 points and B. Blackstone with nine. Hall and B. Blackstone were named to the Tourney All Star 1st team, while Thompson and Porter were named to the 2nd team. They had finished 1 - 7 in the Aroostook League, Hall was named to the All Aroostook 1st team. 1946 - Washburn went 3 - 10 on the season and 0 -8 in the League. Thompson of Washburn was the second leading scorer in the League with 95 points and was named to the All Aroostook second team. In the small school tournament Washburn defeated Madawaska 39 - 23 and defeated A.C.I. 32 - 21. Coach Foster 1947 - Washburn was 4 - 4 in the Aroostook League Limestone defeated Washburn in the Aroostook Small School tournament held at the Cunningham gym 20-18. In the semi-final game Washburn defeated Oakfield 44 - 26 with Thompson scoring 16 and Porter 10. Thompson and Porter were selected to the All - Tourney first team, Blackstone was selected to the second team. Thompson of Washburn led the league in scoring but no record was available for the team. Blackstone was named to the All Aroostook League second team 1948 - In the Aroostook League Washburn was 0-8 and 9 - 14 for the entire season. In the tournament held in Presque Isle for medium and small school they won the tournament by defeating Hodgdon 36 - 35, Madawaska 29 - 25and Easton teams. Defeated Easton High quintet 37-33, to win the Aroostook County small and medium school championship. Everett Chamberlain led Washburn in scoring with 20 points and Isaac Brewer added 11. First team All Tourney selections were First Team; Everett Chamberlain, Gerard McNeil; second team Isaac Brewer and Gary Umphrey. They went on to the Eastern Maine Class M Tournament held in Brewer where they defeated Shead 45 to 37, Chamberlain scored 13 points and MacNeil 11. They lost to Pemetic 66 to 40 in the semi final, Sewall led the scoring with 10 and Brewer and Chamberlain each had eight. Members of this year’s team were: Gerard MacNeil, Harold Corey, Everett Chamberlain, Isaac Brewer, Gary Umphrey; Dwight Sewell, Bryce McEwen, Philip Rundstrom , Lloyd Blackstone, Merlyn Perkins, and Coach Walter Pauli. 1949 - Mapleton defeated Washburn in the County Small School Tournament 41 - 31, Brewer led Washburn with 9 points. In the Aroostook League Washburn was 2 - 6, Brewer and McNeill were named to the All Aroostook 2nd team. Brewer was third in the league in scoring with 83, Umphrey added 77 and Doody 67.

1950s: League Upsets and Tournament Appearances

1950 - Washburn finished Aroostook League play with at 1 -9 record and were upset 40 to 39 in the Aroostook Class M tournament, Doody led Washburn with 9 points. They did play in the Class M tournament where they were defeated by Dover Foxcroft 61-33. 1951 - Washburn finished 6 - 4 in the Aroostook League and did participate in the S & M Aroostook League Tournament. In their first game they defeated Oakfield 54 - 40 and lost to Island Falls in the semi-final 40-20. Umphrey was selected to the All Tourney second team. In the Eastern Maine Class M Tournament Washburn defeated Dover Foxcroft 49-41 and then lost to Bar Harbor 44- 32. 1952 -Finished third in the Aroostook League with a 6 - 4 record. In the County M & S Tournament Washburn defeated Ricker 49 - 36, Houston and Bull led Washburn with 14 and 11 points respectively. Bull was voted to the All Tourney first team and Deeves was an honorable mention. In the Eastern Maine Tournament the smaller Golden Bucks of Bucksport overcame Washburn’s size advantage to pick up a 54 - 47 win. This was a tight ball game all the way into the fourth period. At the end of the third quarter Bucksport was up 39-37 but outscored the Beavers 15 to 10 in the final stanza. For Washburn Deeves scored 15 points, and Houston added 14, Washburn was 15 for 17 from the charity stripe. 1953 - Finished third in the Aroostook League with a record of 7 - 3. At the M & S Tournament held at the Cunningham gym Washburn thumped Limestone 68 - 29. Washburn was ranked fourth going into the EM Tournament and opened up against Madison and started out slowly and trailed 11-6 at the end of the first quarter. They got the offense rolling in the second quarter and took a 22-20 lead at half time. Washburn broke the game open in the 3rd quarter out scoring Madison 15-6 to take a 37-26 lead, they continued to roll in the final quarter coming away with 60-38 win. Sterling Houston had a huge game scoring 24 points and controlling both backboards. Keith Humphrey had 18 points and Plissey 8 for the Beavers who were 12 for 16 from the foul line. Pemetic defeated Washburn in the semi-finals 57 to 51. Stearling Houston was named to the BDN All tournament team. 1954 - Washburn defeated Mapleton in County tournament play 78 to 44 and qualified for the EM Tournament. Dick Donovan led the way for the Beavers with 29 points, Carroll Plissey 14, Bill Hay 13, and Dick Farley added 12 in what proved to be a balanced attack. Washburn entered the tournament with a 15 - 2 record and an Aroostook League record of 7 - 3 good for second place. In the quarter final game Washburn met Hallowell stopping them 58-44 playing impressive basketball. The Beavers broke out early with a quick lead and kept adding it to take a 31-19 lead at the half. They continued to pour it on leading by 15 and the end of the third. Keith Tarbox led the onslaught with 16 points, Nick Farley added 13, Dick Donovan 12, Cal Plissey 10 and Bill Hay 7. Washburn played Lubec in the semi-finals a much taller team than the Beavers. Washburn used its quickness and finesse to out maneuver the downeasters.

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