Long Island's Streak

Long Island University was started in 1926 when a well-to-do Brooklynite named Ralph Jonas, who had already expressed his civic loyalty by founding his borough's Chamber of Commerce, put up $500,000 as the original endowment. With this, and a few minor contributions, the University bought an old six-story factory from Yale & Towne Manufacturing Co. (locks), rebuilt the interior into classrooms. This used up most of the endowment. L. I. U. now supports itself on tuition paid by 950 coeducational students, 75% male. Its faculty of 60 is remarkable for versatility. Professor Paul Kosok teaches history, conducts the Brooklyn Civic Orchestra which consists of L. I. U. students and enthusiastic Brooklyn amateurs. Professor Arthur Yates, an Oxford A. B., teaches English and coaches L. I. U.'s rugby football team. Last week, L. I. U. suddenly blossomed into fame on most U. S. sports pages. Reason: the university was discovered to have a basketball team which had won 30 games in a row, by far the longest winning streak in the U. S.

The L. I. U. record started more than a year ago when, toward the close of a successful season, the team lost to Duquesne by 5 points. Long Island then finished its season with seven straight victories, proceeded smoothly this season through a schedule that included, besides a number of second-rate opponents, such able teams as Duquesne, Catholic University and Springfield. The L. I. U. basketball squad consists of eight men, most of whom have played together for three years. None has a scholarship. The coach, who also teaches accounting, is a Trenton, N. J. War veteran named Claire Bee.

Last week L. I. U., on the strength of its amazing record, suddenly replaced huge N. Y. U., whose team had lost three out of its last four games, as New York City's basketball favorite. A crowd of 13,000 gathered there to watch the Long Islanders play a team far more publicized than their earlier opponents: Rice Institute, co-champion of the strong Southwestern Conference, whose regulars are all over six feet tall. Day of the game, Coach Bee shamefacedly announced that all his men had lost their uniforms. Amused Rice players courteously offered to lend some of theirs. When the game started, L. I. U. smartly boxed Rice's 6 1/2 ft. centre, ran up a score of 27-to-10 at the half, won the game with ease, 45-to-29. Three days later, they gave George Washington its worst beating of the year, 43-to-31.

Critics picked Long Island University, with Notre Dame, University of Washington, University of Kansas, University of Arkansas, University of Kentucky, which last week were also finishing successful seasons, as one of the favorites in the forthcoming tournament to select the team to represent the U. S. in next summer's Olympic Games.

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