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Richard V. Brennan Collection of Basketball Memorabilia

 Collection
Identifier: RG 029-05

Scope and Contents note

This collection contains one scrapbook with news clippings chronicling Richard Brennan's high school (Long Island, New York), Wilmington Junior College (North Carolina) and Seattle University basketball careers (1955-1962); Chieftain game programs; individual and team photographs, and a white and gold uniform jersey (#55) worn by Elgin Baylor during practice scrimmages as a Chieftain player and subsequently passed along and worn by Brennan during his two year career at Seattle University. The collection also contains two DVDs: (1) 1961 NCAA game (Seattle U and Oregon State), (2) 1962 "Scouting Report" (Vince Cazzetta); and two VHS cassettes: (1) 1961 Chieftain game at Seattle Center Arena, (2) 1962 "Sweet 16-Seattle University" NCAA championship that Brennan received from Vince Cazzetta, former Seattle University basketball coach. Also included is a Seattle University 1963 commencement program listing Mr. Brennan among the graduates.

Dates

  • 1955-1962
  • Majority of material found within 1960 - 1961

Creator

Conditions Governing Access note

The collection is open for research.

Biographical/Historical note

Richard V. Brennan came to Seattle University in 1960 and played basketball for the Chieftains for two seasons, 1960-61 and 1961-62. With his excellent defensive rebounding skills and size (6'9", 230 pounds), "Richey" made strong contributions playing with teammates Dave Mills, Dan Ogorek, Dan Stautz, Ernie Dunston, Eddie Miles and others. During one season he made 56 rebounds over three consecutive games. The Chieftain basketball record for his senior year (1962) was 18 wins, 8 losses and included a brief appearance at the NCAA Far West Conference tournament. Brennan remained a loyal follower of Seattle University Chieftain basketball and retained this collection of basketball artifacts throughout his life in Michigan. He was an active NCAA basketball fan and developed a fundraising event "Sports Evening," held on the evening of the televised NCAA Championship Final Game and benefiting neighbors-in-need through the Grosse Pointe Crisis Club (established 1956) in Michigan. Mr. Brennan's work with the Crisis Club was a direct reflection of his Jesuit education and, in his own words , his " way of giving back" in the Ignatian spirit. He died February 13, 2011.

Extent

1 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection of basketball memorabilia honors the 1960-1962 Chieftain basketball career of Seattle University alum Richard Brennan.

General Physical Description note

1 linear foot (one box)

Title
Guide to the Richard V. Brennan Collection of Basketball Memorabilia
Author
Mary Linden Sepulveda
Date
2011
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English
Sponsor
Funding for preparing the finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Repository Details

Part of the Seattle University, Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons, Special Collections Repository

Contact:
901 12th Avenue
Seattle WA 98122-1090 USA