Benington recalled that he once told Hartweger that he doubted Gordon would ever play much for him because he seemed to be lacking in all of the accepted basketball skills. After the coach listed all the boy's faults, Hartweger said, ``Coach before I leave here, you'll get to like me.''

Mrs. Benington admired Gordon's spirit and did what she could to persuade her husband that the boy might help the team.

As Hartweger accepted his silver bowl, he said, ``I want to thank coach's wife for talking him into letting me play.''

Bob Burnes, sports editor of the Globe-Democrat, presented Bob Nordmann with his award. Bevo was congratulated for his efforts to stay in shape so that he could help the team if his knee healed in time. Within a week after the injury, suffered in St. Louis's victory in the final game of the Kentucky tournament, Nordmann was sitting on the Bill's bench doing what he could to help Benington.

On the clock given him was the inscription, ``For Outstanding Contribution to Billiken Basketball, 1960 -- 61.''

Other lettermen from the team that compiled a 21 -- 9 record and finished as runner-up in the National Invitation Tournament were: Art Hambric, Donnell Reid, Bill Nordmann, Dave Harris, Dave Luechtefeld and George Latinovich.

``This team set a precedent that could be valuable in the future,'' Benington pointed out. ``By winning against Bradley, Kentucky and Notre Dame on those teams' home courts, they showed that the home court advantage can be overcome anywhere and that it doesn's take a super team to do it.''