When AZA announced plans for the first ever national basketball and debate tournament in 1925, the legendary Phil Klutznick and Kansas City AZA #2 boasted to Sam Beber that they would win in both events.
Two’s carried out on their promise, bringing back to Kansas City the Malashock Cup for basketball and the Simon Memorial Cup for debate.
The chapter is celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the tournament with a program tomorrow at The College Basketball Experience in downtown Kansas City, Mo. The CBE houses the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, where visitors can honor college basketball legends and learn about the history of the game.
AZA established the first basketball and debate tournament in 1925 after realizing the need for “constant and interesting activity.” The tournament was held on March 21-22, 1925, in Omaha, Neb. BBYO was still in its infancy but growing quickly. At the first tournament, eight chapters were in attendance.
“By the time the tournament was held, we had real competition,” says Klutznick.
In debate, the Kansas City team composed of Klutznick and William Horowitz (college roommate at KU) won a unanimous decision over the Council Bluffs team, consisting of Joe Krasne and Abe Katelman, in the finals. The question for the debate was: “Resolved, That Religion Instruction Be Given in Public Schools.” The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle praised the debating abilities of Klutznick and Horowitz.
“Both are experienced speakers, and their forceful delivery, superior rebuttals and better material assured them of a comparatively easy victory.” The Chronicle noted that Horowitz made the varsity debate team at the University of Kansas, while Klutznick was a member of KU’s freshman debate squad.
On the hardwood, the Kansas City basketball team entered the tournament as one of the favorite teams after going undefeated on their road to the Omaha. AZA #2 beat Council Bluffs in the first round on Saturday, March 21, 1925, at Tech High School.
“Kansas City completely demonstrated class in the third game by completely outplaying Council Bluffs, and defeating the latter by the score of 41-3,” writes The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle. “It is noteworthy to mention that Council Bluffs did not score a single point until the final five minutes of play.”
On Sunday, March 22, Two’s defeated St. Paul, Minn., Chapter #10 in the semi-finals at Omaha’s City Auditorium in what was described as “perhaps the most exciting of the entire tournament,” before beating Gary, Ind., Chapter #9 in the finals by the score of 31-24.
Phil Copland led Kansas City AZA No. 2 with 14 points in the championship game. Sidney Magazine scored 11 points. Lewis Sutin added 6 points. Magazine and Copland were chosen as forwards on the All-Star Team picked by The Omaha Bee. Julius Peltzman was selected honorable mention.
AZA #2 was coached by Morris Sogolow, Physical Director of the Y.M.H.A. and former assistant basketball coach at the University of Illinois.
“We are glad that we won the first honors,” said Sogolow. “The boys of the other teams have proven themselves as real sports. This tournament should be encouraged.”
“We are well satisfied with the results of the first Aleph Zadik Aleph tournament,” Sam Beber, president of the. AZA advisory board, told The Omaha Jewish Press. “The boys on the teams were real sports and showed their metal during the entire tournament. This will be, an annual event, and we hope to interest more chapters for the second annual tournament.”
Magazine, Copland, Sutin, Peltzman, Harry Kaufman, and Isadore Pesmen constituted the championship basketball team. The members of the Gary, Ind., team were: Freidman, Goldstone, Goldman, Krevitz, Richter, and Bobele. Goldman led Gary with 19 points.
Here’s the report from The Omaha Bee:
“The Gary, Ind.. tornado hitherto known as the dark horse contenders of the Aleph Zadik Aleph national hoop tourney, failed to withstand the impetuous machine gun fire that blazed forth from the ranks of the Blue and White infantry in the finals of the Aleph tourney at the City auditorium Sunday night. … Coached by M.H. Sogolow, graduate of Illinois University and former Omaha sandlot performer, the Missouri performers unleashed a bewildering running attack that fairly hurled the Indiana leather pushers off their feet.”
From The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle:
“It might have been different if the lanky Hoosier center (Goldman) had not tired as he did. This lad scored nearly all of Gary’s points. In fact, it was the case of five men against one, and the five man team was the victor.”
“Sid Magazine and Phil Copland were directly responsible for the large scores of the local quintet, while Lewis Sutin and Julius Peltzman came in for their share of the glory. Both Harry Kaufman and Isadore Pesmen also played stellar roles.”
Members of the team say that had it not been for Sogolow, the chapter would not be in possession of the first place cup and thanked him for his guidance.
