Kansas State Normal Basketball Team of 1908-09 Reunion
from Kansas State Teachers College (Emporia State University) Alumni News, December 1963

Basketball 1908-09

Clayton Settle (Life '09), Newton, dropped into the Alumni Office and told the Editor about his visit to all the living members of the Kansas State Normal of Emporia (KSTC) 1908-9 basketball team. He reports that all members are in good health and are still on the go.

The team consisted of eight members. Of the original eight, six are still living. Five of the six live in Kansas. The members attended a reunion in Emporia, May 25.

Included at the reunion and in the recent visit were: Dave Wooster (Life '12 and B.S. '18), Minneapolis, Kansas; Robert Markwell (Life '10), Hays, Kansas; Fred Messenger (Life '11), Zenda, Kansas; Roy W. (Drom) Campbell, Amarillo, Texas; and Homer W. (Bill) Hargiss (3-yr. state '09), Topeka, Kansas. Mr. Settle was also a member of the team. All were native-born Kansans. Gerald Barnes and Vernon Taylor are deceased.

The Woosters had just returned from traveling the New England states. Mr. Settle reports that Dave's smile is still an outstanding characteristic.

Bob Markwell is retired, but still is directing the business, which he has turned over to his son.

Fred Messenger continues to run his extensive Herford cattle ranch.

Drom Campbell is employed by Pan Texas Corporation and has charge of production, storing and shipping of government ammunition.

Bill Hargiss, retired coach and athletic director, passes time enjoying his hobbies of painting and wood-working.

The following clipping was printed in the Wichita Eagle and Beacon, July 24, 1963:

Clayton Settle, 915 W. Broadway, Newton, Kan., finds a recent HTN item about years-ago basketball very interesting. And he adds:

"Will pass the ball back by telling about a basketball team of which I was a member.

"Kansas State Normal of Emporia (present, Kansas State Teachers College) team of 1909 consisted of eight members, six of whom are still living. They attended a reunion in Emporia, May 25, and included: Bill Hargiss of Topeka, Drom Campbell of Amarillo, Tex., Fred Messenger of Zenda, Clayton Settle of Newton, Robert Markwell of Hays, and Dave Wooster of Minneapolis, Kan. Gerald Barnes and Vernon Taylor are deceased.

"We played a schedule of 14 games, won 10 and lost 4. Lost to Fairmont College, but won from Friends University. Also had wins over Aggies at Stillwater, and Oklahoma University at Norman.

"The one-hand shot was originally developed by Robert Markwell when playing on the team.

"Percentage-wise, I doubt if our record of playing and living can be bested by any of the old-timers. All were native-born Kansans, all live in Kansas except Drom Campbell of Amarillo."