BASKETBALL REUNION

This is a follow-up to last week’s story and picture about the 1939 Albion High School state championship basketball team. In 1979 on the 40th anniversary of the big title, Albion athletic director Frank Hiday had the idea of inviting the team members back to town for an anniversary reunion.

The reunion occurred at the Albion High School gymnasium as part of the ceremonies during the basketball game against Harper Creek on Friday, March 2, 1979. In that game, Albion defeated Harper Creek 89-55 to take the Twin Valley Conference championship under the leadership of coach John Schilling.

A banner on the wall that evening stated, “40 Years Has been too long. Mighty Fine in ‘79. We Love You Wildcats.” Six players from the 1939 team returned and were honored that evening, along with the elderly coach Floyd Dorland! After the game there was a hospitality reception for friends of the 1939 players at the Elks.

From our Historical Notebook this week we present the 1939 basketball championship team 40th anniversary reunion photo. From left to right: Mike Dubina, coach Floyd Dorland, Joseph Veramay, Victor Nester, Louis Moon, Victor Buinowski, and Elton Amsden. How many of our readers remember this reunion?

	Frank Passic — Albion Historian An Albion native and 1971 graduate of Albion High School, Frank Passic has been researching and writing Albion history since 1976. He is the creator of the Albion Historical Notebook, with hundreds of articles appearing weekly in the Morning Star and The Recorder. Frank maintains an extensive personal archive including Riverside Cemetery records, family surname files, genealogies, photographs, city directories, and high school yearbooks. Support his 2026 research at the Historic Albion Michigan Facebook page. Historical Notebook \| From the Archives \| Subject List \| 100 Years Ago \| Alphabetical Index \| Frank Passic Home Page \| Albion History Books \| Contact Frank
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