1923-1924 Men's Basketball Team

Sport(s) Men's Basketball (1923-1924)
Year Inducted 2018

The 1923-1924 men’s basketball team is one of the most renowned squads in Valpo history, finishing the season as Western Interstate Conference champions with a 24-4 overall record. Known as the Victory Five, as the same five players played nearly every minute of every game, the 1923-1924 Crusaders finished the season with the nation’s best record and set a then-program record which stood for nearly 80 seasons with the 24 victories.

The Victory Five also set a program record which still stands today as it won 23 consecutive games to open the season – a mark which also set a national record at the time for the longest winning streak within a single season. The 1923-1924 squad was coached by W.P. Shadoan and captained by Millard “Andy” Anderson. Anderson was joined in the starting quintet by Earl Scott, Robert Cadwallader, Walter Hiltpold and Harold “Beanie” Harris, while Ralph Surface, Duke Florence and Clarence Peterson rounded out the team.