Fuzzy Vandivier
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert P. "Fuzzy" Vandivier (December 26, 1903 – July 30, 1983) was a well-known high school and collegiate basketball player during the 1920s. At Franklin High School he led a squad nicknamed "Franklin Wonder Five", a team that compiled an 89-9 record, won three state championships (1920, 1921, 1922) and is considered the greatest Indiana High School team of all-time. Vandivier has been named All-State three times (1920, 1921, 1922), being the first player ever to achieve this feat (meanwhile John Wooden, Oscar Robertson and George McGinnis repeated it). Hall of Fame coach John Wooden considers Vandivier the greatest high school basketball player of all time.
Following his outstanding high school career, Vandivier attended local Franklin College (1922-26). In each year he was named All-State, and in 1926 he was an All-Midwest College All-Star. Due to a painful back ailment in his senior year, Vandivier's playing career was cut short. After graduating from Franklin, he returned as basketball coach to his high school. Vandivier was coaching at Franklin High School from 1926 to 1944, guiding them to the Indiana state finals in 1939.
