Communiqué
Individually, they were good basketball players, but together they made history. “The 8th Wonder: The Waterloo Wonders” – March 17 at 9 pm
< < Back toThe 8th Wonder: The Waterloo Wonders
Monday, March 17 at 9:00 pm
In the bleak and desolate days of the depression of the 1930s, the residents of Waterloo, Ohio, had little about which to be happy. In this rural Appalachian town, 20 miles outside of Ironton, residents had been hit hard with job losses and did whatever they could to make a living. The depression was on everyone’s minds until the Waterloo Wonders.
“The Waterloo Wonders was a small high school basketball team in Lawrence County during the Great Depression,” said WOUB Community Engagement Manager Cheri Russo who was the producer of the documentary. “They won back-to-back Class B state championships against all odds and provided much needed hope to the people of southern Ohio.’
The Wonders team consisted of five players who tied rags together to make a basketball and learned to play the game with a ball that wouldn’t bounce. What came out of this endeavor was a group of boys who learned how to pass the ball so proficiently that no opponent could stop them. Together, they made history. The hour-long documentary premiered in 2008.
“Many believe that the on-court antics of the Wonders were what lead to the start of the Harlem Globetrotters,” said Russo. “If you go to Waterloo today, you’ll find an Ohio historical marker commemorating the Wonders along with a town full of adoring fans. It’s hard to believe their story has lived on more than 85 years later.” Russo will be chatting live on YouTube during the premiere to answer questions and share more of this magical southern Ohio sports story with those watching.
Family members of the Wonders players and coach were interviewed for the documentary including former Ohio State, Gold Medal Olympian and NBA Basketball Player Bill Hosket.