The University of Denver men's basketball team will celebrate a basketball milestone this season as the Pioneers commemorate the 100th anniversary of their first season of intercollegiate competition.

The Pioneers played their first played game in 1904, just 13 years after the game's invention by Dr. James Naismith in Springfield, Mass., making the Denver program among the oldest in the nation.

Denver captured the city's attention that year, posting a 3-1 record. The Pioneers defeated Denver Athletic Club, Colorado College and Colorado, before falling to Colorado State in the season finale.

University of Denver Director of Athletics and Recreation Dr. M. Dianne Murphy said several special events are planned to mark the anniversary, including an alumni weekend. On Friday, January 16, 2004, 100 years to the day of Denver's first basketball game, the University will hold an alumni dinner. Mitch Hyder, The Voice of the Pioneers, will emcee the evening's festivities, including the announcement of an all-century team and keynote speaker, Sports Illustrated columnist, Rick Reilly.

An alumni game featuring the best players in Pioneer history and Denver's contest against Sun Belt Conference rival Florida International on Saturday night at 7 p.m., will conclude the weekend's events

For ticket information on attending the ceremony, contact Cindi Nagai at (303) 871-2389.

Milestones in Denver Men's Basketball History 1904-2004

• 1904: Pioneers played their first intercollegiate game. Denver finished the season 3-1, with wins over the Denver Athletic Club, Colorado College and Colorado.

• 1913: Denver became a member of the Rocky Mountain Faculty Athletic Conference.

• 1915: Denver captured the Eastern Division title with a perfect 8-0 mark.

• 1916: The Pioneers won the Eastern Division for the second consecutive season, going 7-3 on the year.

• 1937: The Pioneers won the Eastern Division crown behind All-American Jim Babcock.

• 1938: Denver, along with Wyoming, Colorado State, Utah, Utah State, Brigham Young and Colorado formed the Skyline Conference.

• 1948-49: Vince Boryla became the first and only Pioneer to earn consensus All-America honors.

• 1949-50: The Pioneers defeated Wyoming, 45-33, on February 17, 1950, in front of a record 7,236 fans at DU Arena.

• 1956-57: Dick Brott averaged 19.2 points and 18.5 rebounds per game.

• 1958-59: On March 14, 1959, Denver made its first and only National Invitational Tournament appearance, losing to New York University, 90-81.

• 1962-63: The Pioneers compete as a Division I independent.

• 1967-68: Unquestionably the greatest scorer in Denver history, Harry Hollines capped off his career by averaging 25.0 points per contest and earned Helms Foundation All-America recognition for the second consecutive year.

• 1970-71: Pioneers recorded a 17-9 mark and won 13 consecutive games at one point during the season. Dave Bustion averaged 19.5 points and 12.1 rebounds per contest. For his efforts he was named to the Helms Athletic Foundation and TV Guide All-America teams. Teammate Bill Joes was also a TV Guide All-America selection.

• 1972-73: Denver posted a 17-9 mark behind the one-two punch of Joe Wallace and John Johnson.

• 1978-79: On February 26, 1979, Matt Teahan scored a school-record 61 points on 27-of-47 shooting in a 113-96 win over Nebraska-Wesleyan.

• 1979-80: Denver completes first NAIA/NCAA Division II year at 16-9.

• 1983-84: The Pioneers qualified for the NAIA National Tournament, losing a first-round contest to Waynesburg (Pa.).

• 1991-92: The Pioneers won 26 games against only six defeats and fell one game short of the NCAA Division II quarterfinals.

• 1998-99: Denver officially returned to the NCAA Division I ranks and turned in a 10-17 record under coach Marty Fletcher.

• 2002-03: The men's basketball team enjoyed its finest season since turning NCAA Division I, winning its first two Sun Belt Conference tournament games before bowing out in the semifinals and finishing with a 17-15 overall record.