Temple University Athletics

Hall of Fame

1938 Men's Basketball Team
1938 Men's Basketball Team
  • Induction:
    2007
  • Class:
    1938
The 1938 NIT Championship Men's Basketball Team became the first team to be enshrined in the Temple University Athletics Hall of Fame. That Owl team claimed the first-ever National Championship in college basketball history, posting a 20-2 regular-season record to earn a spot in the Inaugural National Invitation Tournament. The Owls, under the direction of head coach James Usilton, Sr. and assistant coach Harry Litwack, defeated Bradley, 53-40, Oklahoma A&M, 56-44, and Colorado, 60-36, to win the title. Temple Hall of Famer Don Shields was named the tournament MVP and was part of "The Five Ironmen" that included Mike Bloom, Howard Black, Ed Boyle and Don Henderson.