The Mail-Journal, Volume 16, Number 5, Milford, Kosciusko County, 21 February 1979 — Page 37

Looking back —

Floyd Baker remembers how it was

Every year, basketball sectional time brings back many fond memories for former players, coaches and fans. This year, one person who is especially nostalgic is Floyd Baker, 74, of North Webster. Baker is a former state basketball player and coach. Baker, who served as advisory coach and vice principal at North Webster High School from 19491967, is retiring this year from the Lakeland School Board and the Indiana School Board Association. He has. served on the school’ board since 1968 and the Indiana association since 1974. He and his wife, Ruth Evelyn, who have been married 50 years, are planning to spend their retirement relaxing. Huntington Native Baker began his love of basketball while playing forward for Huntington High School in his native town. In 1923 he played in the state tournament for Huntington.

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He next traveled to Purdue University for two years where he played on the varsity squad under coach Ward “Piggy” Lambert. His next move was to Wittenberg University where he graduated in 1934. He received his master’s degree in education from the University of Pittsburg. His career as a teacher and advisory coach started in Ohio, where he coached from 1931-1945. During those years, he had seven teams in the state Triple-A tournament. In 1941, his team from Martin’s Ferry, Ohio, came away the winner. Playing on that team were All-Americans Lou and Alex Groza. I During the years 19451949 he coached in Richmond. During that time, he had four sectional wins and one regional championship in 1946. His team lost in the semi-state finals. Another basketball highlight for the North

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Webster man occurred during the years 1935-1945. He officiated at many MidAmerican Conference games including national champions University of Xavier, Dayton and Cincinnati. While at North Webster, he acted in an advisory capacity to coach Sidney Spencer, now superintendent of Wayne Township. In 1953, the North Webster team, with a record of 27-1, went to the regionate, but lost to South Bend Central. After retiring in 1967, he ran for and was elected to the Lakeland school board. He also served on the Indiana High School Athletic Association’s Board of Control from 1958-1963. In 1963, he was partially responsible for raising the number of players to be suited up from 10 to 12. Changes In looking back, Baker can find several changes in sectional play-offs. Probably the main difference is the number of schools competing. He commented, “Some of the

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The Bakers watch their favorite team I

tourneys would get pretty late.” Before the schools consolidated, 16 teams competed for the sectional title in Kosciusko County. This has now been lowered to five — Wawasee, Warsaw, Tippecanoe Valley, Triton and Rochester. Another difference. Baker noted, is the actual playing. He said, “The players are better shooters now. The passing is more clever than it was.” When he was coaching, he stressed shooting and defense. He feels the teams have the same spirit, however. “The desire to win is just as good now as it was then. They train and praetice just as hard as they ever did.” One change he is sorry for is a lack of community involvement, especially during the regular season. He said, “The bigger schools don’t get as close to it. With a smaller school, there is a centered interest' closeness of a small community. Now it is divided into three (communities —

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Syracuse, North Webster and Milford).” Os course, he added, all this changes at sectional time. “Your strongest loyalty and community interest is in the sectionals.” Even Contest Does he have any predictions for the 1979 sectional? “This will be the most wide open in a number of years,” Baker replied, “Anyone can win it. No one is undefeated. I think it’s going to be the most evenly contested we’ve had in a number of years.” Close Feeling What does he like best about basketball? “The fact you’re dealing with young people. The basketball team seems to have a closer community feeling than any sport. You can touch it.” Mr. and Mrs. Baker have been attending home football games for a number of years. They can often be spotted on the front row cheering away for Wawasee. The Bakers have one son, Barry Norman, who is a civil engineer at Worster, Ohio.