CCNY v. NYU, March 1934 - by Ari Sclar

The CCNY-NYU game in March 1934 served as the spark that led to college basketball’s emergence into the national spotlight.  The extensive media attention during the season peaked for this final game.  The pre-game coverage generally focused on the strengths and weakness of the teams, players, and coaches.  Sportswriters excitedly discussed the matchup, and used increasingly more elaborate imagery and symbolism in anticipation of a mythic contest.  Both teams entered the contest undefeated and the New York Times stated that the twentieth annual meeting between the two schools had “never before … aroused such widespread interest.”[1]

One central discussion involved speculation whether Holman would play his All-American center, Moe Goldman.  In the days leading up the CCNY-NYU game, Goldman had publicly indicated his intention to join the Philadelphia Sphas immediately following the NYU game.[2]  A conflict emerged between Holman and Goldman, although it did not involve the player’s decision to turn professional.  Rather, Goldman’s “desultory attitude” became the problem as he placed his own aspirations before the team.  Holman hoped a CCNY victory would lead to a “post-season” game against Notre Dame, considered the best team in the Midwest.  Goldman’s decision to turn professional would make him ineligible for a contest many believed would crown a ‘national’ champion.[3]  Writers firmly backed Holman and blamed Goldman for a lack of focus.  In the end, Goldman played, which led the New York Post to state: “In the normal course of events, Holman undoubtedly would keep Goldman on the bench, but this is no normal situation.”[4]

The 1934 CCNY-NYU game involved competitive pressures previously unseen in New York college basketball.  Prior to the season, Holman had won eighty percent of his games at CCNY and had almost complete authority and influence over the basketball program.  The revenue and publicity connected to a possible CCNY-Notre Dame game, however, prevented him from banishing his star player.  NYU ended discussions of a ‘national’ championship by beating CCNY 24-18.  Goldman played, but NYU’s Irwin ‘King Kong’ Klein and Joe Lefft held him to only three points.[5]

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[1] “Unbeaten City College and NYU Fives Clash Tonight in 20^th Annual Game,” New York Times, March 3, 1934.

[2] On Goldman’s post-CCNY career, see Levine, Ellis Island to Ebbets Field, 66-68.

[3] “Coach May Bench Captain Goldman for NYU Game,” New York Times, March 1, 1934. Goldman was named Converse second team All-America.  He first skipped practice and then Holman barred him from practice.

[4] “Lavender Choice as Smarter Five; Goldman to Play,” New York Evening Post, March 3, 1934. 

[5] “NYU Five Stages Lat Spurt to Halt City College,” New York Times, March 4, 1934; “NYU Quintet May Play Irish,” New York Evening Post, March 4, 1934.  Both NYU and CCNY played Jewish clubs after their game.  In late March 1934, NYU played against the New Haven YMHA and helped raise $160 for the Hebrew Institute, the Home of Jewish Children, the Jewish Home for the Aged, and the YM-YWHA camp. See “Final Basketball Game – Benefit Performance,” Community News, March 30, 1934. CCNY played against the Brooklyn Dux.  See Levine, Ellis Island to Ebbet’s Field, 33-34. Beginning in 1934-35, Holman established a policy of preseason news releases that were provided to all New York area newspapers.  Other city schools followed his lead.  See Applin, “From Muscular Christianity to the Marketplace,” 170.