March 23 – Wilt Chamberlain wins most offensive player
On this day in 1957, the 19 Annual NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship was held. The North Carolina Tar Heels beat the Kansas Jayhawks 54-53. While Kansas did lose, the tournament’s MOP went to Kansas player and NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain.
March 24 – Legendary quarterback Peyton Manning is born in New Orleans
NFL quarterback Peyton Manning was born on this day in 1976. His career includes 13 years with the Indianapolis Colts, three years with the Denver Broncos and two Super Bowl wins. He was the XLI Super Bowl MVP and currently holds three NFL records including most passing touchdowns in a season with 55 touchdowns, most passing yards in a season with 5,477 yards, and is currently tied for most touchdown passes in a game at seven passes.
March 25 – Wayne Gretzky scores over 200 points in a single season
In 1982, NHL star Wayne Gretzky became the first to score over 200 points in a single season. At the time of his achievement, Gretzky was only 21 years old. He would go on to score over 200 points another four times during his time in the NHL, a record nobody has yet to break.
March 26 – World record set for fastest women’s skate
On this day in 1994, speed skater Bonnie Blair set the world record for fastest 500 m women’s skate at 38.99 seconds. For this, and her other achievements in speed skating, she was inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame, and the United States Olympic Hall of Fame soon after.
March 27 – Chris Evert wins her final championship
Tennis legend Chris Evert from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida wins her final WTA Tour Championship in 1977. She won against England tennis player Sue Barker in a match of 2-6,6-1,6-1. Evert, across her career, has won 157 championship games and has reached the Grand Slam singles finals more than any player in tennis history.
March 28 – Jesse Owens wins the congressional gold medal
In 1990, Jesse Owens, legendary Track and Field athlete, is posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by US President George H. W. Bush. The Congressional Gold Medal is awarded by the United States government to an individual to show appreciation on a national level for esteemed achievements. Owens was awarded for his outstanding achievements in world record breaking, winning a plethora of Olympic medals, and for his work as a humanitarian.
March 29 – Dave Cowens named NBA most valuable player
On this day in 1973, Dave Cowens, NBA Head Coach and Center, won NBA MVP. Cowens was a player for the Boston Celtics when he received the award and would go on to play as center for the Bucks and coach the Celtics, Bombardiers, Spurs, Hornets, Warriors, Sky, and Pistons throughout his career.
