Actually, the William Chrisman High School boys basketball coach is looking for more than a few.

"We're looking for any man who ever played basketball at William Chrisman High School," said Vickers, who is heading a committee that will celebrate the 100th anniversary of basketball at the Independence high school on Jan. 14 when the Bears play host to Lee's Summit North. "We're going to let anyone who ever played at our school attend the game free, along with members of his family, and then we're going to have a reception afterwards here at the school.

"So far, we are expecting between 200 to 300 former players, but we'd like to see the number go much higher."

Vickers and Chrisman activities director Dan Ogle have been doing some research and have discovered some interesting facts about the school and its milestone season:

- Former University of Kansas coaching legend Phog Allen coached at Independence High School, which went on to become William Chrisman High School.

- Up until 1927, the senior class was allowed to pick the school mascot and school colors. Blue and gold and the Bear became the official mascot in 1927.

- The Bears have won more than 1,400 games and lost 800.

- Chrisman has produced two DiRenna Award winners in Russ Morman (who went on to play major league baseball with many teams, including the Kansas City Royals) and Mike Goodpaster.

- Dennis White, a graduate of Chrisman, played in the NBA with the Kansas City-Omaha Kings.

- The school's most recent Division I player is B.J. Surry, who played for Vickers and is now playing at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Fla.

"I'm a history teacher and a history buff so I'm having a great time with all of this," Vickers said. "Dan brought it up to me before the start of the season. He just called me into his office and said this is the 100th season, what should we do?

"I think we just need to get the word out, because all the former players who still live in the area should be here. We just want everyone who knows about it, to contact anyone who they know played here.

"We're trying to get (former coach) Warren Landess and his wife to make the trip, but coach Landess has been in poor health and we're not sure if he can make it."

Helping Vickers with the project are Roberta Coker, Don Ross and Robie Mathews.

"We're going to have some fun events at the banquet," Vickers said. "We're going to honor the oldest former Bear and the Bear who came the farthest to attend the event."

If anyone has questions concerning the event, Vickers can be reached at (816) 521-2720 and Coker can be reached at (816) 521-2700.

To reach Bill Althaus please send e-mail to bill.althaus@examiner.net or call 350-6314.