Arranged and produced by Springfielder Dick Hatfield, the CD set includes two hours of play-by-play; pregame, halftime and post-game shows; and player and coach interviews.
The cheerleaders and band that accompanied Coach Elwood Pitzer’s team to the Ohio State Fairgrounds Coliseum on March 25, 1950, can be heard in the background. Also mentioned is the presence at the game of members of the Wildcats’ 1925 state championship basketball team.
Leading 27-26 at halftime, the favored Wildcats were up 53-48 when the crowd erupted in cheers as time ran out.
“I listened knowing full well what the outcome was,” Hatfield said, “and yet it’s still exciting to hear.”
The CD project began in August when Hatfield learned friend Ron White had found a record of player and coach interviews on eBay.
Hatfield then found Springfield High graduate Jim Gilbert had a tape of the game.
Soon, a combined recording on two cassettes surfaced — recordings Hatfield massaged with a computer program to even out the sound levels.
Hatfield said he was struck by “the kind of the folksy way Ray Schwartz brought in information about the players.”
Working with Schwartz on the WIZE broadcast were Pete Hanson and Bob Christol.
Although limited copies are available for the holidays, the CD set will be the centerpiece of a 60th anniversary celebration of the championship at 2 p.m. March 13 in the Discovery Hall at the Heritage Center.
When the existing supply of CDs is gone, orders will be taken for delivery at that March Madness event.
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