ARTHUR C. “DUTCH” LONBORG
1898 – 1985
Inducted – 1973

From Horton (Kansas) High School to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Arthur C. “Dutch” Lonborg’s career ties to basketball are among the longest in the nation. He was a three-time all-conference football player at Kansas University, two-time all-conference basketball player and in 1920, was awarded All-American honors for basketball. After graduating from the KU School of Law, Lonborg began a 29-year basketball coaching career from 1922-1950. His teams won 323 games, including 23 in two years at McPherson College, 63 wins in four years at Washburn University, and 237 wins at Northwestern University. His Washburn team won the national AAU title in 1925, the last time a college team won that title. Lonborg led Northwestern to the Big Ten title in 1931 and a tie in 1933. He was president of the NABC, 1935-36. One of the leaders in organizing the first NCAA basketball tournament in 1939, he later served as chairman of the NCAA tournament committee from 1947-1960. In 1950 he returned to the University of Kansas as director of athletics, a position he held for 14 years. During his tenure, the Jayhawks won 38 conference titles and four NCAA crowns. Lonborg served as chairman, U.S. Olympic Basketball committee, 1956-60; manager, U.S. Olympic Team, 1960; chairman, United State Pan American Games, 1959. Elected to Washburn University Hall of Fame, KU Athletics Hall of Fame, Helms Foundation Hall of Fame and Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, 1972. Born March 16, 1898 – Gardner, IL. Died Jan. 31, 1985 – Lawrence, KS. Graduated Horton (KS) H.S., 1916; University of Kansas, 1921.