OBU Honors 1957-58 Team
February 25, 2008
Oklahoma Baptist honored its 1957-58 basketball team Saturday, recognizing the 50th anniversary of OBU's first national tournament team.
The team was feted at a reception, dinner and a pre-game ceremony before the 2008 Bison took on the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
Members of the 1957-58 Bison who were present for the reunion included, from left, Don Johnson, Cass Christian, Don Masters, Don Sumner, Bill Hilton, Don Boucher and Jerry Lester.
At the close of the 1957-58 regular season, the Oklahoma Baptist University Bison won the NAIA District 9 Playoffs by defeating Southwestern Oklahoma State University and the University of Central Oklahoma. This marked the first time an OBU basketball team had ever won the district championship and qualified for the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City. This team paved the way for the Bison teams of 1960, 1963, 1965, 1966, and 1967-all coached by Bob Bass-which played in the national tournament.
Attending the reception, dinner and pre-game ceremony were team members Don Sumner, Don Masters, Don Johnson, Don Boucher, Bill Hilton, Jerry Lester and Cass Christian.