The Longest Surviving Member
Rev. Ernest Hildner's claim to fame is being both the youngest and longest surviving member of the first game.
However, he was not always known to be the longest living member.
In fact, he was not even invited to the centennial celebration of Dr. James Naismith's birth and the 70th anniversary of basketball's conception in 1961.
At the ceremony honoring Naismith and the sport, Raymond Kaighn was credited with being the lone survivor.
Hildner saw this and promptly reached out to inform the basketball world that there were still two of "Jimmie" Naismith's former students alive.
"Evidently, they thought I was dead," Rev. Hildner said when informed of the celebration.
Upon hearing his former classmate was alive and well, Kaighn happily commented that Hildner was present with him in Dr. Naismith's class.