MANY SPORTS FANS BELIEVE THE GAME OF BASKETBALL WAS INVENTED BY JAMES NAISMITH AND THAT THE FIRST GAME WAS PLAYED IN 1891. THE GAME SOON SWEPT THE COUNTRY IN POPULARITY.

THE TRUTH IS, MORTIMER POTEMKIN INVENTED A GAME HE CALLED "PEACH BASKET BALL TOSS" FOR HIS ESCAMBIA UNIVERSITY PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES IN THE WINTER OF 1989-90. RATHER THAN FIGHT NAISMITH FOR THE CREDIT FOR INVENTING THE GAME, POTEMKIN STROVE TO BECOME THE SPORT'S BEST COACH. HE RETIRED IN 1910 AS THE ONLY UNDEFEATED COACH IN THE SPORT'S HISTORY.

ARGUABLY, THE ESCAMBIA UNIVERSITY TEAM OF 1899 IS CONSIDERED BY MANY TO BE THE GREATEST TEAM OF ALL TIME.

The "Eagers" as they were called because of their spirited play, went undefeated and often un-scored upon as they played against all comers—university,  college and the fledgling pro league of that time. Because of a reporter's typographical mistake, the use of team nicknames and mascots began with the Escambia University team. The gentleman printed the nickname "Eagers" as "Eagles" and a practice was begun which carries over today!

Considered to be the greatest center of all time, Cyrus Backboarder stood almost nine feet tall. In the only known photo of him, he bends to talk to a fan. Cyrus went on to start "Cy's Tree Pruning Service" which is still in operation. As a tribute to his great rebounding, rebounds are often called "Boards" even to this day.

Herme S. Mercury may have been the fastest player of all time. He was the leading playmaker for the Eagers. After graduation he started a messenger service. (Historical note: Because his play was an indicator of how well the Eagers would play on a given night, the substance which filled thermometers was named after him.)

Hyrum Ogre stood well over eight feet tall and was believed to weigh over 400 pounds. Little information exists about him in the historical record. In the above drawing taken from a photo, Hyrum employs his specialty, the blocked shot.  He would later eat the basketball.

As you can see with the first three players, Coach Potemkin was an early pioneer in having racially integrated teams. Animal rights activists are fond of pointing out that he was also the first and only coach to go outside the species to recruit players. A player history only records as "Bongo" was a feared defender and intimidator. Rival coaches eventually outlawed the banana scented ball in an attempt to deal with Bongo's ball hawking defense and rebounding.  The rule only seemed to enrage Mr. Bongo.

Coach Potemkin went out of the species a second time to select and train Joe Young to play for the Eagers. Joe was a leading scorer.  Legend states that he is the only player who could dunk with either of his four, uh, er, "hands." Later rule changes would make it more difficult for innovative coaches to attract "role" players such as Joe.