University of Michigan Basketball
All-Americans

Bennie Oosterbaan

1927, 1928,   Forward

One of the greatest athletes ever to attend Michigan, Bennie Oosterbaan earned All-American recognition five times; twice in basketball (1927 and 1928) and three times in football (1925, 1926, and 1927). He earned nine varsity letters at Michigan in basketball, football, and baseball.

On the basketball court Oosterbaan played on Michigan's first great teams. He played forward on coach E.J. Mather's consecutive conference champions in 1925-26 and 1926-27. In 1928 Oosterbaan led the conference in scoring with 178 points and a 11.2 average enroute to winning his second All-American honor. A true student-athlete, Oosterbaan was awarded the Western Conference Medal for proficiency in scholarship and athletics. Foregoing opportunities to play both professional football and baseball, Oosterbaan joined the Michigan football and basketball coaching staffs immediately after graduation. He served as head basketball coach 1939-1946, compiling a 81-72 overall record. He succeeded Fritz Crisler as head football coach in 1948, winning a national championship in his first season. After stepping down as football coach following the 1958 season, Oosterbaan held a number of positions in the Athletic Department.

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