Benjamin Van Alstyne

Benjamin F. Van Alstyne (1893 – August 1972)^[1] was an American basketball coach.

Benjamin Van Alstyne

Van Alstyne from The 1930 Wolverine
Biographical details
Born	1893
Died	August 1972
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Basketball
1920–1926	Ohio Wesleyan
1926–1949	Michigan State
Baseball
1922–1925	Ohio Wesleyan
Head coaching record
Overall	304–194 (basketball) 22–24 (baseball)

The Canajoharie, New York native played college basketball, baseball and football at Colgate University, graduating in 1917. Following military service and a year of high school coaching in North Carolina, he became head coach of basketball and baseball, as well as assistant athletic director, at Ohio Wesleyan. He accepted the position of head basketball coach at Michigan State University in 1926, which he continued until 1949. During his tenure the average final score increased from 28 to 46 as the game evolved toward its modern style.^[1] He was also a football assistant until 1932, at which time he was appointed head golf coach. He resigned from coaching basketball after developing vision problems, and tiring of the associated pressures. He continued coaching golf until retiring in 1959.^[1]