Hall of Fame Focus: 1959-60 Men's Basketball Team

Eddie Grossenbacher was named Third Team NAIA Little All-America in 1959-60.

SALEM, ORE. -- A total of six former Willamette University student-athletes, along with two former coaches and two teams, will be inducted into the WU Athletics Hall of Fame as the Class of 2009. Today, the Hall of Fame Focus highlights the 1959-60 Men's Basketball team.

The induction ceremony is set for Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Salem Conference Center/Phoenix Grand Hotel. Earlier in the day, the Class of 2009 will be introduced at halftime of the Willamette (6-1, 3-0 NWC) versus Linfield College (6-0, 3-0 NWC) football game at McCulloch Stadium (Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. PDT). Afterward, the induction ceremony at the Conference Center will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m. The induction dinner will follow at 6:30 p.m.

1959-60 Men’s Basketball Team
22-6, 12-3 NCIC (Champion)
NAIA District 2 Champion
Head Coach: John Lewis

Willamette won the NCIC Championship and the NAIA District title under Head Coach John Lewis. Three players earned All-Conference honors: Eddie Grossenbacher, Larry Lynn and Buzz Wilfert.

The Bearcats broke a Willamette record at the time by scoring 106 points in a single game. Willamette lost to Savannah State (Ga.) in the first round of the NAIA National Tournament.

Grossenbacher, a senior in 1959-60, is fifth on Willamette’s career scoring list with 1,547 points and is fourth with 15.5 points per games during his career. He is tied for fourth in single game scoring with 38 points against Linfield. He was named Third Team NAIA Little All-America.

Grossenbacher and Lynn were chosen to the NAIA Division II Far West All-Tournament Team. Lynn was chosen MVP of the Far West Tournament.

For More Information:
Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110