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Ramblers: Loyola Chicago 1963
Today basketball is played “above the rim” by athletes of all backgrounds and colors. But 50 years ago it was a floor-bound game, and the opportunities it offered for African-Americans were severely limited.
A key turning point was 1963, when the Loyola Ramblers of Chicago took the NCAA men’s basketball title from Cincinnati, the two-time defending champions. It was one of Chicago’s most memorable sports victories, but Ramblers reveals it was also a game for the history books because of the transgressive lineups fielded by both teams.
Ramblers is an entertaining, detail-rich look back at the unlikely circumstances that led to Loyola’s historic championship and the stories of two Loyola Cincinnati and Mississippi State. Michael Lenehan’s narrative masterfully intertwines these stories in dramatic fashion, culminating with the tournament’s final game, a come-from-behind overtime upset that featured two buzzer-beating shots.
While on the surface this is a book about basketball, it goes deeper to illuminate how sport in America both typifies and drives change in the broader culture. The stark social realities of the times are brought vividly to life in Lenehan’s telling, illustrating the challenges faced in teams’ efforts simply to play their game against the worthiest opponents.
A key turning point was 1963, when the Loyola Ramblers of Chicago took the NCAA men’s basketball title from Cincinnati, the two-time defending champions. It was one of Chicago’s most memorable sports victories, but Ramblers reveals it was also a game for the history books because of the transgressive lineups fielded by both teams.
Ramblers is an entertaining, detail-rich look back at the unlikely circumstances that led to Loyola’s historic championship and the stories of two Loyola Cincinnati and Mississippi State. Michael Lenehan’s narrative masterfully intertwines these stories in dramatic fashion, culminating with the tournament’s final game, a come-from-behind overtime upset that featured two buzzer-beating shots.
While on the surface this is a book about basketball, it goes deeper to illuminate how sport in America both typifies and drives change in the broader culture. The stark social realities of the times are brought vividly to life in Lenehan’s telling, illustrating the challenges faced in teams’ efforts simply to play their game against the worthiest opponents.
- GenresSportsBasketballHistory
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 1, 2017
ebook review : Before Texas Western there was Loyola - Chicago. An enjoyable college basketball story of a team and the history of college basketball post WWII. Interesting stories include : Dr. James Naismith black graduate student who created the HBCU league - John McClendon, Nashville as the seat of black basketball, Holcombe Rucker and the Rucker park scene , James Meredith and the federal troops support to integrate Ole Miss , and the early 1960's period of cultural change for America and its impact on the people in this historical athletic drama.
June 13, 2013
Truth be told, overall, I would probably give it 4 1/2 stars. But I'm rounding up to give it the full five.
Besides, after an already pretty good first half, I felt it got even better as the second half of the book went on. So I feel it deserves getting the 5-star treatment.
I had felt that the book was going to be much different than what it turned out to be. Initially, I was under the impression that it was primarily a book that focussed on the 1963 Loyola Rambers team. Period. And that it would be dealt with on a chronological basis within that one season.
However, the book is very much a multifaceted biography, broken down into two parts.
The first deals with three very key teams that season. Loyola, Mississippi State and Cincinatti.
The second deals with many individuals. Players, coaches, politicians, university officials, parents, students, girlfriends, etc.
And Lenehan doesn't just deal with 1963. He gives us a detailed history of both of these individuals and teams, as well as a little slice of American history during that era to show how everything merged together at March Madness of 1963. He also includes an excellent afterword as well.
Fortunately, Lenehan kept these biographical bits fairly concise to avoid being long-winded.
The writing was very good, the story very interesting. And this reader was very entertained.
Besides, after an already pretty good first half, I felt it got even better as the second half of the book went on. So I feel it deserves getting the 5-star treatment.
I had felt that the book was going to be much different than what it turned out to be. Initially, I was under the impression that it was primarily a book that focussed on the 1963 Loyola Rambers team. Period. And that it would be dealt with on a chronological basis within that one season.
However, the book is very much a multifaceted biography, broken down into two parts.
The first deals with three very key teams that season. Loyola, Mississippi State and Cincinatti.
The second deals with many individuals. Players, coaches, politicians, university officials, parents, students, girlfriends, etc.
And Lenehan doesn't just deal with 1963. He gives us a detailed history of both of these individuals and teams, as well as a little slice of American history during that era to show how everything merged together at March Madness of 1963. He also includes an excellent afterword as well.
Fortunately, Lenehan kept these biographical bits fairly concise to avoid being long-winded.
The writing was very good, the story very interesting. And this reader was very entertained.
July 14, 2020
Well done. The subject matter is broader than the title would indicate. It's not just about Loyola. Followers of the University of Cincinnati or Mississippi State would likely find this very interesting. Well researched and very readable. I dare say David Halberstam would have liked this book.
May 2, 2020
As a member of the 1965-66 freshman team I find this extremely interesting and I can clearly relate to all that the author has said.
June 15, 2021
Outstanding Read
A well research chronicle of Loyola of Chicago's 1963 national championship and the personalities behind the success. Couldn't put it down.
A well research chronicle of Loyola of Chicago's 1963 national championship and the personalities behind the success. Couldn't put it down.
December 20, 2019
this book is very cool since it took place at loyola college in illinois
April 26, 2013
I won this book as part of Goodreads first read program; here is my honest review.
I thought this was a nice book that detailed an almost forgotten, historically significant Loyola-Chicago Team in 1963. I'm not really sure how well remembered that team is, but I follow college basketball fairly closely and can't ever remember hearing of this team. They were one of the first successful teams to embrace black players and eventually won the championship against a Cincinnati team that still played the old-school, slow it down style, but recruited and played plenty of black players. I really enjoyed three part story involving the eventual champions, the championship game rivals, and the Mississippi State team that had to sneak out of the state to play Loyola in the NCAA, due to the university's policies on not playing with black players. The interplay between the three teams brought to light the old style of basketball, the future of where the game was headed, and a team that was stuck in between the two. The book provided enough background on the schools, the state of race relations in the country, and the people involved to paint a great picture of college basketball in the early '60s without straying too far from the main story.
All in all I gave this book 4 stars as it was an enjoyable read about one of the teams that helped pave the way for the Glory Road team a couple seasons later. That team might get all the press, but this team was just as important for breaking barriers in college basketball.
I thought this was a nice book that detailed an almost forgotten, historically significant Loyola-Chicago Team in 1963. I'm not really sure how well remembered that team is, but I follow college basketball fairly closely and can't ever remember hearing of this team. They were one of the first successful teams to embrace black players and eventually won the championship against a Cincinnati team that still played the old-school, slow it down style, but recruited and played plenty of black players. I really enjoyed three part story involving the eventual champions, the championship game rivals, and the Mississippi State team that had to sneak out of the state to play Loyola in the NCAA, due to the university's policies on not playing with black players. The interplay between the three teams brought to light the old style of basketball, the future of where the game was headed, and a team that was stuck in between the two. The book provided enough background on the schools, the state of race relations in the country, and the people involved to paint a great picture of college basketball in the early '60s without straying too far from the main story.
All in all I gave this book 4 stars as it was an enjoyable read about one of the teams that helped pave the way for the Glory Road team a couple seasons later. That team might get all the press, but this team was just as important for breaking barriers in college basketball.
June 30, 2024
I found this book to be extremely well written and informative. The 63 Loyola team is not nearly as well known as the 66 Texas Western team yet equally important in the annals of college basketball. The players on the team were exceptional young men while the coach, George Ireland, was and remains an enigma. The other teams of importance to the story, Mississippi State and Cincinnati, are given plenty of coverage as well. It’s a great book.
March 6, 2013
Being a Freshman at Loyola the year that the Ramblers won the NCAA championship (the only Illinois team to do that), I really enjoyed this book. Even if one is not a sportsfan, you can appreciate the time period covered in this historical novel. The tie in with the Civil Rights movement was marginally covered but that was understandable. Still, the racial prejudice in the U.S. at the time is evident. I also enjoyed the lead up to the big game insofar as all teams involved in the tournament. The background of the Loyola players as well as the temperament of coach Ireland was also very interesting. A well done piece of sports/social history. Go Ramblers!
April 13, 2019
No doubt I am prejudiced because I attended Loyola (post 1963). Still a very insightful book. Loyola's victory changed college basketball with result that now a school like Loyola has no chance of even being in the NCAA tournament.
December 29, 2013
This was a good book but some of it was confusing because he kept talking about different basketball teams like Missippi State and Loyola and many others. It was interesting to see what changed about college basketball.
January 31, 2015
Wonderful book dealing with race in the 60's and basketball. This story along with the '66 Texas Western story make for great reading. I enjoyed the author intertwining the Loyola and Mississippi State story. Good book and story that can be taught and exposed to college students.
March 15, 2013
Really enjoyed this book as a Loyola alumnus, but also found the history interesting.
April 29, 2013
Loyola, Chicago, basketball, championship, 1963, race relations
August 9, 2013
Interesting book by author from Madison, Wi. I remember the NCAA championship game being on tape delay. The team did not get as much credit as Texas Western
June 24, 2013
love love sports stories that are off the beaten path, and I found another one ... what a great era for college hoops and the obscure teams that found their way to the top
February 2, 2016
the book is good
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews