 John Schommer | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 29, 1884 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | January 11, 1960 (aged 75) |
| Nationality | American |
| Career information | |
| College | Chicago (1905–1909) |
| Position | Center |
| Career history | |
| As coach: | |
| 1910–1911 | Chicago |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Basketball Hall of Fame as player | |
| College Basketball Hall of Fame Inducted in 2006 | |
John Joseph Schommer (January 29, 1884 – January 11, 1960) was an American multi-sport athlete in the 1900s. He is considered by some to be the first basketball superstar and one of the first great all-around athletes.[1] The Chicago, Illinois native was the first athlete in University of Chicago history to win 12 letters in American football, basketball, baseball and track.[2] This earned him the nickname "Mr. Everything". Schommer was a four-time All-American in basketball and led the Maroons to three straight Big Ten championships (1907–09).[3] He was named the Helms Foundation College Basketball Player of the Year for the 1908-09 season. One of his most famous moments was when he made an 80-foot field goal which helped lift Chicago over University of Pennsylvania in the final game of the 1907-08 regular season, winning them the championship. He was one of the first four players inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959.