Ward Brennan

Brennan spent nearly 15 years as a college and professional basketball official.^[6] He officiated in the New York State, Interstate, and Connecticut Basketball Leagues. He was described as the "one of basketball's best referees" by Reach Guide and "the best basketball referee in the East" by the Wilkes-Barre Record. According to author Murry R. Nelson, Brennan was "the only referee to approach (Herman) Baetzel in stature" during the 1910s and 1920s.^[7]

In 1914, Brennan was hired as a supervisor of recreation in the Brooklyn parks department.^[8] In 1917, he became a physical education instructor at the Pratt Institute.^[9] During World War I, he was the recreational director at Camp Mills.^[7] He was later the athletic director of the New York State Institute of Applied Agriculture.^[10] During the 1924–25 season, he was the head coach of the Manhattan Jaspers men's basketball team and led them to a 10–10 record.^[11] In 1927, he was named as head basketball coach at Freeport High School.^[12] The following year, he was appointed supervisor of recreational facilities for the Long Island State Park Commission by Robert Moses.^[13] In 1930, he became the supervisor of the pool at the Hotel St. George.^[14] He joined the United Service Organizations shortly after its formation and in 1942 was named USO director for the Shenango Personnel Replacement Depot.^[6]