Kansas author writes book on legendary K-State coach Jack Gardner

McPherson author Steve Farney was surprised when he discovered no one had ever written a book about former Kansas State basketball coach Jack Gardner.

Farney, a K-State graduate in history education, considers Gardner's era the start of the Wildcats' tradition of successful basketball teams. He compiled a record of 147-51 from 1939-1953 sandwiched around a four-year break for World War II service.

Gardner's teams qualified for two Final Fours and finished as NCAA runner-up to Kentucky in 1951.

"He's the one who put Kansas State on the map," Farney said. "Gardner really started that basketball tradition."

Farney started to research whether anyone had written a specific book on Gardner's era after a Kansas City radio announcer mentioned former K-State coach Jack Hartman, but didn't know who Jack Gardner was.

Farney will sign "It's Time to Play," books at The Bookshelf, 204 N. Main, until 2 p.m. today. The book will also be available at Memory Lane Flower & Gifts, Moundridge; Anderson Book Store, Newton; and Walden Bookstore, Salina.

Farney used newspaper accounts, media guides and other books as his resource material. He also used microfilm obtained through the Kansas State Historical Society. He focused much of his research time at libraries in McPherson, Lindsborg, Salina and Hutchinson.

Gardner was an innovative coach who stressed pressure defense and a fast pace.

"His teams were based on speed and pressure defense that created turnovers," Farney said. "They played with consistent and persistent defense. He wanted an uptempo game."

Farney believes Gardner benefited from his four years of service.

"It expanded his style of play because he coached a more physical style when he returned," Farney said. "His teams played with speed and power when he returned in 1946."

Gardner's teams started in Nichols Hall before Ahearn Fieldhouse was opened in 1950. The intensity of the K-State-KU rivalry grew stronger with Gardner's legendary battles with University of Kansas coaching legend Phog Allen.

"Coach Allen was very media savvy, the type of coach who would've been very popular in today's world," Farney said. "It was quite an interesting time for K-State basketball."

McPherson Sentinel