A History of Wayne State University Basketball
Wayne State University, located in Detroit, Michigan, boasts a rich athletic history, with its basketball program playing a significant role. As the Wayne State Warriors, the university's athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division II intercollegiate sporting competitions as members of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) for all 16 varsity sports.
Early Years and the "Tartars" Era
The Wayne State intercollegiate athletics program was established in 1917 by director of athletics David L. Holmes, when the school was known as Detroit Junior College. Holmes, revered by his athletes, initially coached all sports. His track teams were nationally known into the 1950s; in his first ten years, he produced two Olympians from the school's Victorian-era gym.
In 1927, three years after the school was renamed the College of the City of Detroit, a student poll selected the name of "Tartars" for the school's teams, which were generally known as the Detroit Tartars. In 1934, the college became Wayne University, with athletic teams known as the Wayne Tartars until 1956 when the school became Wayne State University and athletic teams were called the Wayne State Tartars.
As the Detroit Tartars, the school competed in the Michigan Collegiate Conference from 1927 to 1931. Wayne State football competes with the other sports in the GLIAC, the program also competed in the PAC from 1955 to 1967 and in the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference from 1990 to 1998. Wayne State has won three conference championships, one in the GLIAC and two PAC championships.
A Look at the Wayne State Warriors
The Wayne State Warriors represent Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. The Warriors have a tradition of athletic excellence, competing in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).
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The Golden Era of the Late 1960s
The three Wildcat men's basketball teams from 1967-70 were the school's first teams to win 20 games in a season. Under the leadership of Dave Gunther, the Wildcats compiled a 70-13 three year overall record, the best in school history. All three of these squads advanced to the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City.
The 1967-68 squad compiled a 24-3 mark, followed by a 23-4 record in the 1968-69 campaign. In the 1969-70 season, the Wildcats posted a 23-6 record. A total of 23 players comprised the rosters during these three years, including six players who were on all three teams. Those six players include Mick Anderson, Dean Elofson, Paul Emanuel, Bill Goodwin, Rich McGill and Dave Schneider.
The accomplishments of these teams can still be found in the WSC record books. The 1,482 rebounds by the '69-70 squad is still a Wildcat single-season record, while the 84.0 points per game average of the '67-68 team is the seventh-highest scoring average in school history.
The Wildcats also enjoyed individual success. Five of Wayne State's top 15 scorers played on at least one of these teams. They include Dennis Siefkes (1,576 pts), Dean Elofson (1,358 pts), Bob Strathman (1,149 pts), Dave Schneider (1,148 pts) and Bill Goodwin (1,113 pts).
Conference Affiliations and Championships
Wayne State's athletic programs have participated in various conferences throughout their history. As the Detroit Tartars, the school competed in the Michigan Collegiate Conference from 1927 to 1931. Wayne State football competes with the other sports in the GLIAC, the program also competed in the PAC from 1955 to 1967 and in the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference from 1990 to 1998. Wayne State has won three conference championships, one in the GLIAC and two PAC championships.
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