Looking for Insight on Basketball Ticket from 1928

[kchristie]

All,

A friend told me about this forum and said someone might be able to help.
I am inquiring as to a find I came across in my travels over the weekend, in the hope that you can shed some light on what I found, and/or perhaps provide any insight to its worth or value to others.

Tucked into a book from 1927 was a ticket, a picture of which is attached showing the front and back and size. As it references the ‘New’ Butler Field House, and the basketball tournament, and is dated March 17th, which was a Saturday in 1928, the first year the tourney was held there, it appears to be a ticket from that first Indiana boy’s tournament held in the then brand new Field House.

I am generally expert at finding information I need online, but I am stumped to find anything that can verify this find. It’s rather cool as a piece of Indiana basketball memorabilia, regardless of value, and mostly I would like to verify it is what I think it is if you, or someone you know, can do so.

I appreciate your sharing anything you may know that could help. Thanks very much! Here is a link to the image: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

[MK]

What you have is a very important ticket for Indiana high school basketball fans. 1928 was the first year the Butler Fieldhouse was used to host the state championship finals. While Muncie Central won the state finals, John Wooden who played for Martinsville, also played in this tournament. It is difficult to place a value on this ticket as I have rarely seen it come up for sale. I do collect these tickets,but my earliest one is from 1931. If you're interested in selling it, please let me know.

[kchristie]

Excellent insight - thank you, MK! I am now trying to figure out if March 17 was the date of the final game. I can't locate that info as most sites only indicate the year. Have anything you can reference there?

As for selling it, I want to get the rest of the story first. I might be interested, but not sure yet.

[MK]

March 17, 1928 was the date of the state finals championship game. As for confirmation, your best source is a book called Hoosier Hysteria by Herb Schwomeyer. This book chronicles the Indiana state finals from its beginning until 1997, when the IHSAA destroyed the tournament by going to class basketball (IMO). By the way, I could not get the photo of your ticket to load.

[MK]

Found a photo of the 1928 Martinsville team. John Wooden is on the far right.

[kchristie]

Here is the image, MK< and thank you very much for confirming the date. I had a feeling it was since all of your tickets were on Saturdays as well from that era.