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FROM THE ARCHIVES

| A trip down memory lane.

125 years of roundball

Before there was a swish of a net, there was a plunk of a peach basket. As Westminster College’s 2022-2023 basketball season gets under way, it seemed only fitting that we should mention that Westminster’s very first varsity team was formed 125 years ago in 1897, just six years after the sport’s birth in Springfield, Mass. Basketball didn’t quite muster the excitement that the baseball and football teams did, and in 1906 basketball was dropped as an intercollegiate sport for six years. It wasn’t until the 1926 season under coach and 1919 alumnus John Lawther that basketball came into its own at Westminster, and the “Towering Titans”—a name penned by Holcad sports writer Irving “Bud” Mansell ’29—were born. Our hoopsters have come a long way since those early days, under notable coaches such as Lawther, Grover Washabaugh—who guided the Titans as they amassed a string of 77 home court victories that gave the gymnasium its “Old 77” moniker in 1951—Charles “Buzz” Ridl ’42, Ron Galbreath ’62, and now 11-year head coach Kevin Siroki ’93. Go, Titans!

Can you name these players?

Pictured above, with celebrated head coach Buzz Ridl, are the Towering Titans from the 1959-1960 season, who made their way to the District 30 finals and the NAIA National Tournament. Also pictured is NAIA All-American Chuck Davis ’60, fourth from left, and future head coach, Ron Galbreath ’62, fifth from left. Can you name the rest of the Titan greats from this standout squad? Send your answers to wcmagazine@westminster.edu.

Fill your cup with coffee & purpose.

We know life is busy.

That’s why we created the Westminster College Coffee Club, our recurring giving program that offers an easy 2-minute setup, a hand-crafted mug and months of satisfaction knowing you’re impacting Westminster College students!

Z Visit www.westminster.edu/coffeeclub and complete the easy setup.

Z Each summer, in recognition of your enrollment in the program, check your mailbox for your beautiful, handmade coffee mug, and join hundreds of other Titans who will be sipping from matching mugs each morning in honor of Westminster College students and their growth.

Sign up today for the next limited edition mug!

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TITAN TRADITION

This September, Talia Kosonovich '26, center, a first-year environmental science and business administration major, welcomed family members to a Westminster tradition: Family Day. Moms, dads, sisters, brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins are invited each fall to spend a day on campus reconnecting with their Titan. This year, families could enjoy brunch, attend fun and informative sessions, take in a sporting event, tour the Westminster trails—or just spend time with their students.