Among the most anticipated, watched and wagered sporting events in America, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament didn’t get its start until 1939. From the very origin of “March Madness,” this program was issued at Northwestern University’s Patten Gymnasium for the March 27, 1939 title showdown. The two-page souvenir features black-and-white team photos and roster listings of the combatants from the University of Oregon and Ohio State University. One of very few examples extant, the item presents minimally (VG-EX) with faint horizontal and vertical creases. At first glance, these flaws are nearly indiscernible to the naked eye. While Oregon prevailed that day, the school didn’t return to the Final Four until 2017! Additionally, the host school didn’t even make the tournament until 2017.
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