Forrest “Phog” Allen

University of Kansas, “Beware the Phog,” James Naismith, college basketball, 1952 Olympics, gold-medal winner

 

 

 

 

Legendary Kansas University coach Forrest Clare Allen earned his nickname “Phog” because of his booming “foghorn” voice as a baseball umpire.  Allen was born in 1885 in Jamesport, Mo. By the age of 10, Allen and his brothers formed a basketball team.  Allen grew up to attend the University of Kansas and lettered in basketball and baseball under the guidance of James Naismith, the legendary inventor of basketball. Allen’s push to have basketball recognized as an olympic sport in 1936, led to his winning of a gold medal for his coaching in Helsinki in 1952. In 1955, the University of Kansas dedicated its home court, Allen Fieldhouse, to the man who helped the KU Jayhawks win more games than any other coach–until 1966 when long-time colleague Adolph Rupp exceeded Allen’s record.