Benjamin F. VanAlstyne
Encyclopedia
Benjamin F. VanAlstyne was an American basketball
coach.
The Canajoharie, New York
native played college basketball, baseball and football at Colgate University
, graduating in 1917. Following military service and a year of high school coaching in North Carolina, he became head coach of basketball and baseball, as well as assistant athletic director, at Ohio Wesleyan. He accepted the position of head basketball coach at Michigan State University
in 1927, which he continued until 1949. During his tenure the average final score increased from 28 to 46 as the game evolved toward its modern style. He was also a football assistant until 1932, at which time he was appointed head golf coach. He resigned from coaching basketball after developing vision problems, and tiring of the associated pressures. He continued coaching golf until retiring in 1959.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
coach.
The Canajoharie, New York
Canajoharie (town), New York
Canajoharie is a town in Montgomery County, New York, United States. The population was 3,730 at the 2010 census. Canajoharie is located south of the Mohawk River on the south border of the county. The Erie Canal passes along the north town line. There is a village of Canajoharie in the town...
native played college basketball, baseball and football at Colgate University
Colgate University
Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York, USA. The school was founded in 1819 as a Baptist seminary and later became non-denominational. It is named for the Colgate family who greatly contributed to the university's endowment in the 19th century.Colgate has 52...
, graduating in 1917. Following military service and a year of high school coaching in North Carolina, he became head coach of basketball and baseball, as well as assistant athletic director, at Ohio Wesleyan. He accepted the position of head basketball coach at Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
in 1927, which he continued until 1949. During his tenure the average final score increased from 28 to 46 as the game evolved toward its modern style. He was also a football assistant until 1932, at which time he was appointed head golf coach. He resigned from coaching basketball after developing vision problems, and tiring of the associated pressures. He continued coaching golf until retiring in 1959.