This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/21/2017
The pioneer of run-and-shoot basketball, the late Frank Keaney’s up-tempo style made use of a fast-breaking offense and full-court defense. Keaney’s innovative techniques enabled his 1939 Rhode Island club to become the first college basketball team to score more than 50 points in a single game. Keaney, who was inducted into
the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1960, was also the coach of the 1943 Rhode Island team that earned the nickname “The Firehouse Gang” by virtue of its 80.7 point per game average.
Featured here is the original 1937 Rhode Island letterman’s certificate that Keaney signed twice in bold black ink and issued to the team’s best player, Chester Jaworski. Consisting of heavy paper stock, the certificate measures 9.5” wide by 12” high and exhibits two tape marks but other than that presents in excellent overall shape. Arguably one of basketball’s toughest Hall of Fame signatures, Keaney’s autograph appears twice in great condition. The certificate is dated March 17, 1937.
Full LOA from PSA/DNA.