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John Schommer

1884 – 1960

American basketball player-coach

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About John Schommer

Lived 1884 – 1960 (aged 75). John Schommer was an American baseball player, basketball coach and basketball player.

John Joseph Schommer (January 29, 1884 – January 11, 1960) was an American multi-sport athlete in the 1900s. He is considered by some to be the first basketball superstar and one of the first great all-around athletes. The Chicago, Illinois native was the first athlete in University of Chicago history to win 12 letters in American football, basketball, baseball and track. This earned him the nickname "Mr. Everything". Schommer was a four-time All-American in basketball and led the Maroons to three straight Big Ten championships (1907–09). He was named the Helms Foundation College Basketball Player of the Year for the 1908-09 season. One of his most famous moments was when he made an 80-foot field goal which helped lift Chicago over University of Pennsylvania in the final game of the 1907–08 regular season, winning them the championship. He was one of the first four players inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
University of Chicago
Awards
Big Ten Conference; Helms Athletic Foundation; Helms Foundation College Basketball Player of the Year; NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans
Also known as
John Joseph Schommer

People in John Schommer's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John Schommer's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Schommer?

American basketball player-coach

When was John Schommer born?

John Schommer was born on 29 January 1884 in Chicago.

When did John Schommer die?

John Schommer died on 11 January 1960 in Chicago.

What was John Schommer's occupation?

John Schommer was a baseball player, basketball coach and basketball player.

What nationality was John Schommer?

John Schommer was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Schommer

· Wikidata: Q3809606

· DBpedia: John Schommer

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Schommer. https://biography.guide/john-schommer/

MLA: "John Schommer." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-schommer/.

Chicago: "John Schommer." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-schommer/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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