Xavier Nation Magazine Feature: Hall of Fame - 1978 Volunteer Classic Men’s Basketball Trophy

Tay Baker is a Cincinnati basketball encyclopedia— and why shouldn't he be? After all, he spent three seasons (1948–1950) as a player and 13 years as either an assistant or head coach for Xavier's rival, the University of Cincinnati men's basketball team, before serving as the head coach of the Musketeers from 1974 to 1979. Vol Classic Trophy

So, as the crowning achievement of his Xavier tenure approaches its 40th anniversary, you'll have to forgive the spry 91-year-old if he takes a moment to humbly celebrate the memory.

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Coached by Baker and led on-court by eventual Most Valuable Player Nick Daniels (now known as Rashid Abdul-Rahim), the 1978–1979 Musketeers were the surprising winners of 1978 Volunteer Classic. Taking place Dec. 15 and 16, 1978, the event saw Xavier beat heavily-favored and 12th-ranked University of Southern California 75–68 before taking down host Tennessee 51–50—the Musketeers' first holiday tournament win since 1955.

In addition to Abdul-Rahim, the team's roster also featured the likes of Gary Massa and Joe Sunderman. Massa, a co-captain and member of Xavier's 1,000-point club, now serves as Xavier's Vice President for University Relations. A Xavier Hall of Fame inductee in 2006, Sunderman has been a part of the Xavier men's basketball broadcasting team for more than 25 years.

Sunderman recorded a double-double in the team's win over USC with 19 points and 15 rebounds. Like Baker, Sunderman says he believes the tournament was likely set up to allow USC and Tennessee to meet in the final, which is why Xavier's role as spoiler for both teams made the weekend "one you remember for the rest of your life."

"It demonstrated in some way that Xavier could compete on a pretty high level," Sunderman says. "It was important for Xavier. They were in a period of making decisions of whether or not to emphasize basketball and take the journey they went on and bring it to the point they are at now. I think the win gave hope to anybody in the situation that it could be done."

Baker, who "hasn't missed a Final Four since 1958," says knowing the trophy is on display at Cintas Center is a fitting tribute to "the best talented team I had by far" during his time at Xavier.

"It was the highlight of my coaching career over there," he says. "I can't say anything but good things about Xavier.… Those particular players and that particular team deserve it."

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