Contents
FEATURES
The
Rensselaer Plan
Also in
this story:
Reaching
for the Stars
Family
Ties
Wired!
Also in this story:
Good Connections
Houston
Field House
DEPARTMENTS
President's View
At Rensselaer
From the Archives
Hawk Talk
Making a Difference
Milestones
Class Features
RAA
News
Alumni Weddings
Looking
Ahead
FIFTY YEARS OF THE HOUSTON FIELD HOUSE
Richard Lassen ’50 Costa Mesa, Calif.
I
believe the initial sporting event was a basketball game on Dec. 3, 1949,
between RPI and the New York State Maritime Academy. The basketball floor
was laid down over the ice, as is common today in many cities where NBA
and NHL teams share an arena.
This particular game stands outin my mind because the fit of the sections of the floor left something to be desired. Toward the end of the game I severely sprained an ankle and I was still limping several weeks later at our Commencement (mid-year Class of 1950) at the Field House.
The second clipping is from the official program for a benefit held on Dec. 2, 1950, to honor Roland K. Brown. Brown was the athletic director at RPI when he was stricken with polio in the fall of 1950. The charity event was a basketball game between the 1950-51 RPI team and an alumni squad composed of 23 players from the 1941-1950 teams. The event was well-attended and raised considerable funds to help cover some of Brown’s medical expenses.
As I recall, President Houston, in full RPI basketball uniform, dribbled out to center court and threw up the ball for the initial tip-off!
Richard Lassen ’50 Costa Mesa, Calif.