Sport: Basketball
Born: September 3, 1900
Died: November 13, 1983
Town: Passaic, New Jersey
John S. Roosma was born September 3, 1900 in Passaic, NJ. A talented and highly disciplined athlete, Johnny was one of the top prep basketball players in the country for Passaic High School during the WWI era. The squad he captained was known as “The Wonder Team” and, coached by Ernest Blood, reeled off 179 victories in a row. Johnny’s teams won 57 of those games—including state titles in 1919, 1920 and 1921. As a senior in 1920–21, Johnny scored an unheard-of 882 points. He also played football and baseball for PHS.
Johnny continued his hoops career for the US Military Academy. He was recruited by Douglas MacArthur. The Black Knights, coached by Harry Fisher, won 73 of 84 games during Johnny’s five varsity seasons, including a 33-win streak. At West Point, Johnny became the first college player to total more than 1,000 career points. He was a three-time All-East and All-American, and captained the 1922–23 team that was undefeated in 17 games. Johnny also played for Army’s baseball, football and track teams.
After graduation, Johnny served in China in the late 1920s and early 1930s, before returning to the U.S. Military Academy as provost marshal. In 1934, he set a record by hitting 99 of 100 free throws during an exhibition. He would later improve on that mark, sinking 139 of 140.
In 1941, Johnny was stationed at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked on December 7th. After fighting in Europe during World War II, he finished his military career in the 1950s as the head of the army post on Governor’s Island in New York Harbor, achieving the rank of colonel.
Johnny returned to his home state and was head of cadets at the Bordentown Military Academy before retiring in 1961. He was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame that same year.
Johnny passed away in Verona at age 83 in 1983. West Point’s athletic MVP award is named in his memory.