Early TV

[samsdad]

I'd like to go back to the NCAA Championship game of 1958 and ask a couple of questions about it. I was 9 years old at the time and in the 3rd grade of a one room school. It was the early days of tv, and everything was just getting started. According to Jon Scott's web page, the game was on March 22 of 1958.

If I remember correctly, the semifinal game was played on Friday, and the championship game was played on Saturday. I believe the game was played on tv on the following day (Sunday) or maybe a week later on Sunday afternoon on ABC's Wide World of Sports, which was also just getting started.

My questions are these:

a) Do I remember correctly about the timing of the tv game?

and

b) Was this the first NCAA championship game ever played on tv?

Does anybody know?

[samsdad]

Was I the only one who saw the game?:question

[Spanish Moss]

samsdad
Was I the only one who saw the game?:question

No, I was there in Freedom Hall.

The Final Four was played on March 21st and 22nd and these were the first UK games I saw in person. I still have my program. Since I attended in person I don't know about the telecast. I think the first basketball NCAA Championship telecast (nationally) was in 1954. 1946 was the first telecast but it was shown in New York City.

I remember the 1959 game being the first I saw on TV California won with a center named Darrell Imhoff. The 1960 game with the great Jerry Lucas was also on TV in my area. I think the market was fairly limited in those days.

As far as Wide World of Sports, didn't that come into being in April of 1961?

The 1958 Championship remains my biggest thrill in watching a sporting event. The great Elgin Baylor and the great Johnny Cox. Wow, what a night that was. Adolph Rupp was brilliant as he defeated the great Seattle Chieftains. They should make a movie about that game.

[samsdad]

Thanks. You're probably right. Memories get a little fuzzy after a number of years. I'd love to see the movie you're talking about.