Kris Miller
Hiawatha World

Kansas University in Lawrence retired the jersey of Arthur “Dutch” Lonborg on Saturday, Feb. 22 at its home game against Oklahoma State University.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, retiring a jersey is a ceremonial honor where a team decides to no longer issue a player’s number to another player to better acknowledge that athlete’s contributions and impact on the team and sport they played in.

Lonborg, who was born in 1898, was a revered figure in basketball history and left a mark on the sport as a basketball player, coach and administrator. He was an alumnus of Horton High School, where he graduated from in 1916. According to USD 430 curriculum director Robyn Allen, Lonborg played college football, baseball and basketball at the University of Kansas.

“Under the legendary coach Phog Allen,” Robyn Allen wrote in a short piece for USD 430. “Lonborg excelled as a standout guard from 1919 to 1922, earning All-American status in 1919. His leadership and skills on the court helped solidify KU’s basketball prominence.”

Lonborg later transitioned into coaching at multiple institutions. He first coached at McPherson College before moving over to Washburn University in Topeka. While coaching at Northwestern University–where he served as the head coach from 1927 to 1950–the Northwestern Wildcats won the 1931 Big Ten Championship, which is considered a rare achievement in the school’s basketball history.

Lonborg returned to KU in 1950 as the Athletic Director, where he oversaw various projects, including the Allen Field House, Quigley Field and Memorial Stadium expansions.

“Beyond his coaching career,” Robyn Allen summarized. “Lonborg played a pivotal role in basketball administration, serving as chairman of the NCAA Basketball Tournament Committee.”

Lonborg is credited with helping shape the basketball event known as March Madness, and also served as Chairman of the United States Olympic basketball committee from 1956 to 1960. He also served as chair of the 1959 U.S. Pan American Games and manager of the U.S. Olympic basketball team in 1960.

“Lonborg’s contributions to the game were widely recognized, culminating in his induction into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1973,” Robyn Allen stated. “His legacy as both a player and a coach continues to be celebrated, particularly in Kansas, where his impact on the sport remains deeply respected.”

Lonborg passed away on Jan. 31, 1985 but he left behind a rich and impactful legacy on basketball and his influence remains an enduring testament to his passion for the game itself.