The Legendary Big Dipper Basketball Tournament of the 1960s

The Legendary Big Dipper Tournament

The Big Dipper was a legendary invitational basketball tournament held during the summer in New York City throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Some of the greatest players in basketball history, including Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and Oscar Robertson among others, participated in the tournament during the peak of their careers.

The Tournament's Humble Beginnings

The Big Dipper tournament first began in 1957 and was the brainchild of tournament organizer Claude Johnson. Johnson wanted to capitalize on the popularity of college basketball in the New York area by hosting a summer event featuring some of the best players.

The first few tournaments were relatively small affairs held at the 145th Regiment Armory with local college kids participating. However, the tournament quickly gained traction and became a staple of the New York summer sports scene.

The Rise of the Big Dipper Tournament

By the early 1960s, the Big Dipper tournament was one of the most anticipated events in New York City each summer. Top players from colleges across the country were invited to participate.

Games were moved to venues like Madison Square Garden to accommodate larger crowds hoping to catch a glimpse of basketball royalty like Oscar Robertson and Jerry West competing at their peaks against New York hometown legends like Connie Hawkins.

The atmosphere at the tournament became electric. Fans were hanging from the rafters trying to secure a view while the building shook with deafening cheers. Top players elevated their games even further due to the exceptional competition.

Legendary Moments from the Big Dipper Tournament

The Big Dipper tournament produced some iconic moments in basketball history during its heyday in the 1960s:

• In 1961, Oscar Robertson exploded for 56 points in a single game - a tournament record that still stands today
• Wilt Chamberlain set a tournament rebounding record in 1964 by grabbing 34 boards in one contest
• A baby-faced Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) made his MSG debut in 1965 shortly after graduating high school

Chamberlain and Russell also battled numerous times at the Big Dipper, giving New York fans a sneak preview of the epic clashes the two titans would have over their NBA careers.

The Mysterious End of an Era

After over a decade as one of the most popular events on the New York sports calendar, the Big Dipper tournament unfortunately came to an abrupt halt in the late 1960s.

The exact reasons why remain unclear, but some speculate it had to do with increased costs, inability to secure dates at MSG, and emerging opportunities for top players to compete internationally.

Whatever the cause, the Big Dipper's mysterious demise left a void in the New York summer sports scene. Fans were crushed that a staple that once featured epic showdowns between giants like Chamberlain and Russell was suddenly no more.

Remembering the Big Dipper Tournament

While the Big Dipper tournament only ran for a little over a decade, its legacy lives on through old grainy highlight reels and stories passed between generations.

For basketball purists, the Big Dipper represents a bygone era when the game's biggest stars battled on the hardwood purely for pride. There were no million-dollar contracts or shoe endorsements at stake.

It was simply an opportunity for the best players on the planet like Robertson, West, Chamberlain, and Russell to test their skills against worthy adversaries while excited fans watched intently.

The Big Dipper tournament deserves to be remembered as a moment in time that celebrated basketball in its purest form - before big business and mass media overshadowed what happens on the court.

So next time you hear a reference to "Wilt's 100-point game" or see Russell and Chamberlain embracing, think back to those hot summer days in New York when legends collided at the Big Dipper.

FAQs

When and where was the first Big Dipper tournament held?

The first Big Dipper tournament was held in 1957 at the 145th Regiment Armory in New York City.

How did the Big Dipper tournament get its name?

The tournament was named after its organizer, Claude "Big Dipper" Johnson. Johnson was given the nickname because he was over 7 feet tall.

Which player holds the Big Dipper single game scoring record?

In 1961, Oscar Robertson exploded for 56 points in one Big Dipper tournament game - a record that still stands today.

Why did the Big Dipper tournament come to an end in the late 1960s?

The exact reasons are unclear, but it was likely due to increased costs, inability to book Madison Square Garden, and more opportunities for players internationally.