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Ohio Northern University

Did You Know?: Basketball begins on campus in 1904, ONU Women post undefeated 7-0 record

Did You Know?: Basketball begins on campus in 1904, ONU Women post undefeated 7-0 record
December 7, 2020

| Klondike's Did You Know? page |

With the creation of the new gymnasium southwest of campus, Ohio Northern fielded men's and women's basketball teams in 1904.

The women's squad posted a perfect 7-0 record, with included a home and home sweep of Defiance College and wins over five high school squads.

Helen Davis served as team captain and joined Hazel Bentley as the forwards, Soeephine Deitz and Marietta Davis were the centers and Anna Davis and Jesse Campbell were the guards for ONU.

The men's team did not fare as well, going 3-4-1. Northern won one of three games with the Kenton Knights, described as the three-time defending national champions of basketball of the time.

The first-ever game on campus at Ohio Northern was on Jan. 14, 1904, when Kenton came to ONU and topped Northern's men's team 17-9.