the Cherry Diamond were achieved by the fast basket ball team of the season of 1902-03. Under the management of Marion F. Parker, the team representing the Missouri Athletic Club went into the game with a vim, and speedily demonstrated their superiority over all the other similar organizations of the city. In the city league they took the lead early in the race, and retained it all season.” 16 F Cherry Diamond F MAR 2020
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“The first honors for
LOVE of the GAME
The very first issue of the Cherry Diamond magazine, which was printed in August 1903, dedicated significant space to one of the Club’s oldest endeavors: basketball. The sport of basketball and its enthusiastic players have been a crucial part of the Club’s history since its humble beginnings nearly 120 years ago. Over the years, countless players have graced the courts of the Downtown and West Clubhouses, from Division I athletes to international players to guys who just love the game and want to spend time on the court. Today, the MAC hosts basketball open age and over 40 leagues year-round, with more than 400 players on the active Club basketball list. The season kicks off every fall, with games from September through early December. After the holidays, the winter leagues pick up in
January and go through mid-March. Assistant athletic director Rick Schneider says they currently have 122 active players, with 300 on the pick-up list. This winter’s over 40 league is made up of six teams that play on Wednesday nights, with another five teams playing Monday and Tuesday nights in the open league. “A few years ago, we switched up our leagues where instead of me, Jeff Tuhro or Scott Mattingly putting teams together, we do a draft,” Schneider said. “[The players] get so into it. We choose captains, and then it’s just like fantasy sports where we go through ‘til everyone’s off the list.” Though competition on the court can be fierce, the longstanding MAC camaraderie is never far away. Carter Alexander, one of the captains, noted that though he’s relatively
