John Schommer
(1884-1960)
Hall of Fame Induction: 1959
Card Shown:
1986-2002 Hall of Fame
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Position: C
Height: 6’3″
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John Schommer, also known as “Mr. Everything,” was one of the first great multi-sport collegiate stars. He dominated athletics in the early 1900s while starring at the University of Chicago. Standing 6’3″, Schommer was a giant for his era. He combined his height with strength, speed, and a fierce desire to win.
Awards and Honors
- John received twelve varsity letters while playing basketball, football, track, and baseball at the University of Chicago during the first decade of the 1900s.
- Schommer led Chicago to three consecutive Western Conference (later to become the Big 10) championships beginning in the 1906-07 season. He also led the league in scoring during those championship runs, averaging about 10 points per game.
- John was a four-time All-America selection by the Helms Foundation.
- Schommer was selected the National Player of the Year and won three national championships during his college career.
- Schommer was one of four players inducted into the Hall of Fame in its inaugural class in 1959. The other three were Chuck Hyatt, George Mikan, and Hank Luisetti.
Points of Interest
- In four years at Chicago, John only lost a total of seven basketball games and two football games.
- Schommer’s 80-foot heave in the closing seconds of the championship game shocked Pennsylvania and gave Chicago the title in 1908.
- As a track star, John was selected to the 1908 Olympic team but decided to focus on his academic career instead.
- Schommer was a top college football and basketball official for 32 years and rose up the ranks to officiate NFL games from 1942 to 1944.
- Some sources credit Schommer with playing a part in the development of the first glass backboards.
John Schommer Videos
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