Acker Gym will be long gone 100 years from now, as will all who inhabited the imperfectly perfect little patch of heaven Saturday night. In its place will reside some grand arena with plush seating and a state-of-the-art sound system, new players and coaches, and new fans.
 
But whispers of this night – Feb. 28, 2015 – will still echo off those pristine white walls, perhaps through the words of a grandfather, who was told by his grandfather, to his young grandson, about that one night when legends of the first 100 seasons of Chico State men's basketball were honored, and a by-then near mythological workingman's team slayed the monstrous California Collegiate Athletic Association, led by a diminutive yet determined point guard, a star from the rivals' back yard, and a big man who wasn't all that tall.
 
This night, designed months ago to be one of remembrance, became one to never forget.

The Chico State men's basketball team defeated Cal State East Bay 87-61 Saturday night to secure the program's second CCAA Championship and the 20^th conference crown in the program's 100-season history. And when Humboldt State stunned Cal Poly Pomona nearly one hour later, the Wildcats roared and danced into March with the title all to themselves.
 
It was the perfect ending to a perfect night.
 
Mike Rosaroso (the aforementioned point guard), Jordan Semple (the Arcata product who chose Chico State instead of his hometown Lumberjacks) and Jordan Barton (the 6-foot-6 center) were honored before the game in a stirring "Senior Night" ceremony.
 At halftime, many of the greatest players in the history of the program – The All-Century Team – were called onto the court to a loud ovation from the capacity crowd.
 
"Seriously, touching to see how much Chico State cares about its hoops alumni," tweeted Chico Enterprise-Record reporter Travis Souders. "Tremendous effort to get these people here and honor them."
 

All true. All worth it.
 
It was sheer brilliance to see retired coaches Puck Smith, Pete Mathiesen and Bill Colvin take the floor, followed by a cavalcade of former players: from recent grads Damario Sims and Jay Flores – the 2011-12 CCAA Player of the Year who took time out from his current assistant coaching job with Cal State East Bay to join in – to those who were part of the four fabulous conference championship teams from the early 1990s that current Head Coach Greg Clink rode the pine for; to perhaps the greatest athlete in the history of the University and its all-time leading scorer, George Maderos; and finally, Clark Porter, who played in 1942 before leaving to serve in World War II and returning to finish his career in 1946 and 1947.
 
Maderos was presented with a framed jersey before the rest of the players gathered around him in reverence to finish the festivities.
 
The ovations were adoring and the entire ceremony affecting.
 

Those players must have enjoyed watching Rosaroso run the show, swiping four steals and scoring a career-high 15 points in his final home game: a ferocious leader carrying the team to its most important win.
 
With six minutes and change remaining, Chico State Director of Athletics Anita Barker sat a pair of scissors down on the scorers' table. Seconds later Rosaroso sank the dagger 3-pointer to stretch Chico State's lead to 16 and start the celebration in the stands.
 
Clink pulled Rosaroso, Barton and Semple to the bench with two minutes remaining and they were embraced by their teammates in a physical sign of the embrace they've received from Chico State's faithful fans.
 
Soon after, they were cutting down the nets.
 
Semple, the program's all-time leader in blocked shot and rebounds, finished with 11 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocked shots. Barton played his signature style of basketball, battling bigger players for 11 points and seven rebounds, leaving battered Cal State East Bay bodies in his wake and fans asking: "How did he do that?"
 
The same could be asked of the Wildcats. The answers are identical – by scratching and clawing and fighting for every single inch.
 
The preseason prognosticators did not expect "Senior Night" to be like this. After losing four starting seniors and 70 percent of its scoring to graduation last spring, the Wildcats were picked to finish fourth in the CCAA. Not a single opposing coach picked the Wildcats to win it.
 
Then they lost their first four home games – the first two in in alarming fashion – and it looked like those prognosticators were perhaps generous with the Wildcats.
 
But they reeled off 10 straight wins to get back into the conference race and needed all 14 wins in their last 15 games to get to the top, where they will be when they wake up tomorrow and every day after.
 
Still, tomorrow the work begins anew. The CCAA Championship Tournament waits March 5-7 at the Stockton Arena. History is there for the taking once again. No Chico State team has won a CCAA Championship Tournament title.
 
If the Wildcats do, or if they are selected by the committee for the NCAA Championship Tournament, Rosaroso, Barton and Semple will become the first class in the program's history to reach the basketball promised land four times in a row.
 
They'd love to do it. Not just for themselves and their teammates, but for all the other legends who have gone before them in Chico State men's basketball lore.

NOTE - To view all of Saturday night's historic events, CLICK HERE. The Senior Night ceremony begins at the 0:29:30 mark, the halftime celebration begins at 1:20:00 and the postgame celebration at 2:23:00.

In order to celebrate the 100th year of Wildcat men's basketball, Chico State honored "100 Players for 100 Years" throughout the 2014-15 season. The "100 Players for 100 Years" didn't necessarily consist of the top scorers or top rebounders from each decade, but instead, consisted of those men who had a significant impact as a player and represented Chico State both on and off the court with excellence.
 
1910s*
Kerchival Thomas
Frank Silver
Roy Haile
Leland Spayed
Lloyd Brooks
Herman Singer
Charles Price
Earl Shoesmith
 
1920s

Rockwell Blondin – a two-year player in basketball and football; later a long-time coach and teacher in the Bay Area.

Carrol Bailey – a two-year player and a member of the Chico State Athletic Hall of Fame.

Eddie Butts – a three-sport star, Butts later played two years of professional football for the Chicago Cardinals.

Hal Caywood – played from 1923-25 and was also a key member of the football team.

Dan Farmer – won 12 letters at Chico State and was all-conference in basketball all four years.

Art Johnson – a four-year player for the Wildcats, was also captain of Art Acker's first football team in 1923.

Harlan Lee – nicknamed "Goof", he was anything but as he earned 12 letters then went on to be a highly respected high school coach.

Kenneth Palmer – a two-time all-conference pick and the team's leading scorer in 1929-30.

Harold Spicer – a four-year player for the Wildcats who also played football and baseball.

Stephen Vugrenes – a three-year member of the basketball team who went on to teach and coach throughout the North Valley.

 

1930s

Ernie Barber – a three-year player for the Wildcats, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.

Wallace Campbell – all-conference in 1936 and a member of the Far West Conference championship team.

Harlan Carter – inducted into the Hall of Fame in its first year, he is still honored in the North State with a high school tournament named after him.

Robert Frost – a four-year player known for his outstanding defense.

Gene Maxey – a three-year player who then went on to be Chico State's head coach for 14 seasons.

John "Pat" O'Connell – a four-year player inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.

Al Schlueter – a four-year player inducted with the first Hall of Fame class in 1986. A legend later at Chico High School and Butte College.

Siebert Stephens – All Far-West Conference pick and the only player awarded a Gold Basketball by Art Acker.

Harold Taylor – a four-year player who helped lead his team to the FWC title his senior year.

Art Whitmer – nicknamed "String Bean", Whitmer was a four-year player and two-time team captain for Art Acker.

 

1940s

Dick Copland – A two-year starter for Art Acker and a member of the 1940-41 FWC title team.

Joseph Jater Cowan – A three-sport star who played five seasons of basketball for the 'Cats.

Gene Hammerstrom – A starter on five championship teams for Art Acker.

Lyle Olsen – A all-FWC selection in basketball, played briefly in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.

Clark Porter – Nicknamed "Slim", Porter was an all-conference guard and a great defensive player.

Dave Sigel – A starter for the 1939-40 Far West Conference championship team.

Stan "Pete" Timone – A starter on the 1941 FWC championship team and the squad's second leading scorer.

Tommie Tipton – Still ranks fourth all-time in scoring at Chico State with 1,445 points.

John Wainwright – A three-year player for the Wildcats in the late 1940s.

Don Wustenberg – A member of the 1948 FWC championship team that went 22-13 overall.

 

1950s

Willie Burney

Allen Darby – a three-sport star that competed on the basketball team from 1955-58 and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2003.

Gene Howard

George Maderos – Arguably, the greatest Chico State athlete ever, Maderos is still the Wildcats all-time leading scorer with 2,377 points, nearly 800 more than his nearest competitor.

Fred Obermiller – A four-year player for the Wildcats, Obermiller led the squad in rebounds and blocked shots three of his four years, and was an all-conference selection three times as well.

Ken Piercy – Ranks tenth all-time in career points at Chico State with 1,151.

Donald Richardson – Nicknamed "Smokey", Richardson was the Outstanding Senior Athlete in 1959 and he was also a member of the National Honor Society for his academic prowess.

Gene Rideout – A versatile athlete who was also an outstanding tennis player, Rideout was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1996.

J. B. Wilson - A four-year player for the Wildcats who was the floor general for the George Maderos led teams of the early 1950s.

 

1960s

Kelly Bane – A two-year player for the Wildcats who was a member of the 1963-64 FWC co-champion team.

Tom Fitzsimmons – A two-year player for the Wildcats.

Roland Holcomb – An outstanding player who averaged nearly 16 points and over eight rebounds a game as a junior, and nearly 19 points and over eight rebounds per game as a senior.

Terry Hughes – A two-year player for the Wildcats under head coach Don Scott.

Billy Jones – An outstanding scorer and rebounder, Jones is second all-time at Chico State in career rebounds and ninth in points per game.

Erick Nielsen – A top performer for the Wildcats in the late 1960s who averaged double-digit scoring during his career.

Russell Peterich – A four-year player in basketball, baseball and football, he was a starter the last three years in all three sports. Chico State's Senior Athlete of the Year in 1964.

Bill Treglown – A two-year player for the Wildcats, and a legendary coach at the College of the Redwoods.

Dennis Varley – The gym at Pleasant Valley High School is named after this legendary two-sport star.

Wes Walsvick – A two-time All-FWC selection, and a four-time pick to the Chico State Invitational all-tournament team, Walsvick was the team's leading rebounder and averaged 15 points per game.

 

1970s

Steve Albrecht – A consistent force for the Wildcats who could be counted on for 10 points and five rebounds per game.

Wayne Burden – Played just one year for the Wildcats, but in that one year, he led the team in points scored, points per game, field goal percentage and free-throw percentage. Named first team All-FWC.

Joe Casteel – Led the Wildcats in assists both years he played.

Bobby Clements – Chico State's Senior Athlete of the Year in 1975, Clements was a three-sport star for the Wildcats.

Tim Fruwirth – The engine that helped make the team go, Fruwirth led the team in assists both years.

Mike Harski – A complete player, Harski averaged better than 14 points and 12.5 rebounds during his two years in a Wildcat uniform.

Gary Melugin – A big man underneath, Melugin averaged better than 13 points and six rebounds per game during his two-year career.

Dave Moore – Ranks sixth all-time at Chico State in total rebounds and averaged 12.6 rpg in 1972-73.

Jim Schreiner – A four-year player who averaged double-digit scoring in three of those seasons.

Mike Wysong – Led the team in assists with 148 in 1978-79, the fifth highest single season total in school history.

 

1980s

Mike Alston – Named the Far West Conference Most Valuable Player for 1980-81.

Derrick Armstrong – Averaged 17 points and eight rebounds per game during his career.

Jeff Carter – Averaged nearly double-digits points and rebounds both seasons.

Jay Haro  - Averaged double-digit scoring both seasons as a Wildcat.  

Shawn Hicks – Averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds per game as a senior.

Rich Hogan – A two-time first team All-Northern California Athletic Conference selection and the team's Most Valuable Player.

Rick Knight - A solid presence down low, Knight averaged better than 13 points and six rebounds per game during his two years.

Homer Rivers – Ranks among the career top 10 in assists while averaging double-digit scoring both years. First team All-NCAC in 1982-83.

Richard Ross – Averaged better than 18 points per game and grabbed more than 7.6 rebounds per game for his career.  Single season blocked shot leader with 62 in 1985-86.

Tim Taylor – A four-year player who averaged double-digits three times, and is fourth all-time in assists.

 

1990s

Derek Byrd – A two-time first team All-Northern California Athletic Conference selection.

Antone Curtis – Team leader in assists twice, and ranks sixth overall in that category. A two-time All-NCAC pick.

David Fluker – The Co-Most Valuable Player of the NCAC in 1991-92.

Kenny Gleason – Elected to Chico State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012 after a brilliant four-year career.

Anthony Hilliard - Averaged better than 17 points per game as a senior while also finishing second on the team in assists.

Jake Hodges – The NCAC Most Valuable Player and first team All-West Region in 1990-91.

Aaron Martella – The NCAC co-Most Valuable Player in 1993-94, and the fourth leading rebounder in school history.

Tony Prescott – A prolific scorer who averaged 19.5 points per game as a senior.

Deon Robinson – Led the Wildcats in assists all three years he played, and ranks second in that category on the all-time list.

Bryant Tyler – A First Team All-NCAC pick in 1994-95, Tyler averaged over 16 points and nearly 10 rebounds per game during his two years.

Jayson Vossler – A second team All-West Region selection in 1994-95, Vossler tallied 18.7 points per game as a senior while handing out 145 assists.

 

2000s

Justin Argenal – Chico State's all-time assist leader with 582 and steals leader with 211.

Jon Baird – Fourth all-time in three-pointers made and first in free throw percentage.

Andy Bocian – Averaged nearly 20 points per game in 2009-09, and just under 18 ppg for his career.

Brian Faulstich – Top 10 all-time in assists and three-point field goal percentage.

Tim Haley – Single season assist record holder with 202 in 2004-05. Also top 10 in career steals.

Rod Hawkins – One of the top rebounders in school history and a leader in the resurgence of Chico State basketball.

Scott Land – The all-time leader in three-pointers made with 276. Averaged 21.2 ppg in 2002-03. Twice named All-West Region. Land is Chico State's second leading all-time scorer with 1,567 points.

Ben Perak – Second all-time in blocked shots and also an outstanding student in the classroom.

Jason Van Eck – Gritty, physical player who also was among the top free-throw shooters in school history.

 

2010s

Amir Carraway – Ninth all-time in points scored at Chico State. A two-time all-conference selection.

Jay Flores – The California Collegiate Athletic Association Most Valuable Player and first team All-West Region in 2011-12.

Sean Park – Ranks seventh all-time at Chico State in points scored. All-CCAA in 2013-14.

Rashad Parker – Ranks in the top-10 in three-pointers made and free throw percentage.

Damario Sims – Named All-West Region in 2011-12, ranks among the top 10 in points scored and assists.

 
*Records for the players in the 1910s are inconsistent. It was decided that any player that participated more than one season in that initial decade would make the list.

Hall of Fame – players listed in bold maroon print are in the Chico State Athletics Hall of Fame