Dick Harp University of Kansas Basketball HUGE award Banners Blankets Set of 2
In 1952, under the guidance of legendary HOF basketball coach, Phog Allen; the Kansas Jayhawks won the national title with a 80–63 victory in the final game over St. John's. Dick Harp was Phog Allen’s assistant coach. Although, Kansas was already on the map as a basketball power, Allen managed to bring Wilt the Stilt out to Lawrence for a visit his basketball factory. With a little prodding from Wilt’s high school coach, Cecil Mosenson (who was offered a position as an assistant coach if he could deliver Wilt to the Jayhawks – this promise was never fulfilled by KU), Wilt ended up on the Kansas campus in 1955. In 1956, Coach Allen was forced into mandatory retirement (KU regulation was that all employees had to retire by the age of 70) and the program was taken over by Phog’s protégé and former KU star player, Dick Harp. Harp had played basketball at KU, lettering from 1938–1940 and was one of the starting guards on the 1940 team that lost to Indiana University in the NCAA finals. In 8 seasons (1956-64) Harp compiled a 121-82 record in those eight seasons and led the Jayhawks to two conference titles (one Big Seven, one Big Eight Conference) and two NCAA tournament berths. In 1957, the Jayhawks captured the Midwest Regional and made it to the finals, only to be stopped by the University of North Carolina in a memorable 54-53 loss in triple overtime in Kansas City, Mo. Harp is one of only five people to have played and coached in an NCAA title game. He served as an assistant coach at North Carolina for Dean Smith from 1986-1989. Dick Harp by Dean Smith – According to Dean Smith, the legendary U of North Carolina (think Michael Jordan) basketball coach and one of the winningest coaches in NCAA history, “Dick [Harp] is one of the most brilliant basketball minds I have ever known.” Harp, who remains one of a handful of men to both coach and play in an NCAA basketball tournament championship game, spent nearly three decades of his life connected to the tradition-rich basketball program at KU. Offered here are a pair of red banners - blankets with blue felt trim, each measuring 48” x 54”. Each has the team “K” at the center on front done in blue felt. The first has “Big Six Champions 1940” and “Basketball” as well as “NCAA Western Champions” embroidered and the second has “Co-Captain Basketball” and “Richard Harp.” All embroidery is done in blue chain stitch on a red swatch. They are each NM with no rips or stains. These were given to Harp during his All-American basketball playing days at the University of Kanas. Both were made by O’Shea Knitting Mills (tagging sewn into blankets/banners). This was the predecessor to King O’Shea (who made NFL and NBA basketball jerseys from the 1940’s – 60’s). Please note, the 1940 Jayhawks team made it to the NCAA final four and were National Champions – runnerups losing to 60-42 to Branch McCracken’s Indiana Hoosiers in the National Championship game. Phog Allen’s team would go home with a 2nd place trophy and have to wait 12 years to win the Big one! COA from Dick Harp’s son.
Item: 3224
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| Price: $1.00 | | |
