Irwin Witty

A versatile frontline player for New York University in the 1930s, Witty played both forward and center for the Violets during his career. As a senior in 1938, Witty played center against some of the best opponents in the country, including CCNY (City College of New York) All-America Bernie Fliegel. That year, NYU made it to the first-ever national postseason tournament, the NIT (National Invitational Tournament). Witty was a good defender, a top scorer, and a terrific passer whose teammates, – are ready to admit that it’s his passes while they’re coming in on a cut that aid no end in their baskets. –

Birth and Death Dates:
b. Jan. 23, 1916 - d. Sept. 30, 1993

Career Highlights:

An outstanding center at Jefferson High School, Witty played forward and center at NYU in the 1930s. He joined the varsity team as a sophomore in 1936, the year after the Violets captured the Helms National Championship. A natural college forward, Witty played various frontline positions coming off the bench, but was the primarily the team’s backup center. Following the graduation of three-year starting center (and All-America football player), Irwin Klein, Witty stepped into some big shoes, but played well. That season, the Violets had a record of 14-4.

The following year, Witty was expected to play a prominent role in NYU’s season, but appeared in only eight games after being declared academically ineligible for the first half of the season. The Violets had a record of 11-6 that season and Witty registered 42 points, sixth on the team.

As a senior in 1938, Witty became NYU’s starting center and had a terrific season despite playing against larger men the entire year. The New York Evening Post praised Witty’s play at the end of the season as a major reason for NYU's success. The Post stated, – – the last four games [of the regular season], Witty’s opponents have been the mainspring of their teams’despite the caliber of the opposition’Irwin hasn’t done badly at all. – Witty finished second on the team in scoring that year, finishing behind senior forward Si Boardman. Witty had 162 points, 12th in the Met area, despite playing out of position. According to the Post, – Witty wasn’t scheduled to carry the center portfolio when he first started to wear the Violet regalia. – The Violets finished the regular season with a record of 15-6 and were proclaimed the mythical Metropolitan champion.

On the strength of their record, NYU played in the first-ever national postseason tournament, the NIT. In the first round, NYU battled Long Island University and Witty played against 6 – 5 – Blackbird center, Art Hillhouse. Witty contained Hillhouse during the match and NYU won the game, 39-37. They advanced to the Final Four but lost to Colorado by a squeaker of 48-47 in the semifinals, then were defeated in the third place game by Oklahoma A&M;, 37-24, ending up in fourth place. Witty averaged 5.7 points per game in the NIT.

Origin:
New York

Career Dates:
Witty played center for NYU from 1936-1938.