I recently came into possession of a Princeton Media Guide for the 1976-77 season (thanks, eBay!). Flipping through the 5"x8" booklet, there were a number of things that caught my attention, and without a logical way to organize them, I'm presenting a list of bullet points after the jump.
-It is hard to imagine the last sentence from the Press Information section flying in our modern times: Availability of Coach - During both pre-season and the regular season, Coach Carril would appreciate it if you could confine your interview periods from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm. He can be reached at 609-452-3512. During the season, he is available on Sundays between 2:00 and 4:00 at his home phone [redacted].
-Before the Ivy League allowed freshmen to play on the varsity, the conference gave out a "Sophomore of the Year" award. Penn's Keven McDonald took home this piece of hardware in 1975-76.
-Princeton's freshman team went 12-6 in 75-76 against the likes of JV teams from Navy, Lehigh, Army, Monmouth, Temple, St. John's and Manhattan, with Bob Roma leading the team in scoring.
-What ever became of the Big 5-inspired concept of The New Jersey-New York Basketball "7"? Formed during the 1974-75 academic year, this seven team grouping of Rutgers, St. John's, Princeton, Seton Hall, Manhattan, Fordham and Columbia was created with the purpose of "stimulating both interest and competition on the New York collegiate basketball scene." As described in the media guide, this concept would have seen all seven teams play each other starting in 1978. Did this happen? How many years did the NJ-NY 7 last? Rutgers won the first championship, going 5-0 against area rivals. The Tigers were 2-1.
Armond Hill was named to the 1975-76 Basketball "7" All-Star Team. Barnes Hauptfuhrer achieved second team status.
-Did the "Mr. Magic" nickname for Coach Carril catch on? I was unfamiliar with that moniker, but Carril is described as such in the guide's Prospectus by Position.
-Similarly surprising to listing Coach Carril's home phone number in the guide was the fact that the home address of each player on the roster is mentioned in their bio. When in Rockford, Illinois visit the home of Bob Slaughter's parents at 1121 Wisconsin Avenue...
-The Tigers' game on December 1, 1976 against Navy was part of "Mercer County Night," where all residents of Mercer County could get $3.00 tickets for just $1.00 with proof of residency. I'd be all for a similar idea coming back at a home game next season!
-The biggest crowd in Jadwin Gym history going into this season? 7,550 for the Tigers' February 2nd, 1976 game versus Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights won 75-62. These two teams would meet in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, with the undefeated Rutgers team surviving 54-53.
-Like many Princeton guides up until the mid-1990s, offensive rebounds are not a statistic that is accounted for in the individual stats, team stats or historical records.
-On the guide's back cover is a team photo. Front row, left to right - John Lewis, Tim Olah, Bill Omeltchenko, captain Bob Slaughter, Rich Rizzuto, Doug Snyder and Bob Kleinert. Back row, left to right - head coach Pete Carril, assistant coach Bob Dukiet, Rich Starsia, Jon Dunlay, Bob Roma, Tom Young, Bob Carber, Roger Schmitt, Frank Sowinski, managers Henry Ibarra and Steve Rungwerth and trainer Pros Cima. Click to enlarge.
-Despite having lost Armond Hill, Mickey Steuerer, Barnes Hauptfuhrer and Peter Molloy, Princeton would go 21-5 this season, defeating Notre Dame at home and wining the Ivy League with a 13-1 record. A 62-49 home win over Cornell was the program's 1,000th overall victory.
-The Tigers fell 72-58 to Kentucky in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
