Kean University

John Miedema was able to accomplish a unique athletic feat during his time at Newark Normal School (now Kean University) - winning four varsity basketball letters at a time when the school granted only three-year degrees. He did this by returning after graduation to pursue a second degree and playing one more year on the hardwood. He entered the Hall of Fame, however, on the merit of his skills rather than due to this uncommon distinction.

A member of the school's first varsity basketball squad, Miedema was only 16 years old when he began playing for fellow Hall of Famer Joseph D'Angola in 1929. He competed for three years, serving as captain of the 10-6 team in 1931-1932. All three of those clubs posted winning records.

After graduating, Miedema was on an alumni team that competed against the 1933-1934 Newark Normal varsity team. He subsequently decided to return to school, rejoining a squad that posted a 9-5 mark.

Though Miedema was undoubtedly one of the area's most talented players of the era, it is difficult to compare statistics of the day to typical modern numbers due to the disparate style of play and significant rule changes in the intervening years. For example, Miedema played in a 1933-1934 contest that saw his club drop a 13-11 decision to Paterson Normal School (now William Paterson University).

Miedema also competed on the school's first golf team. Though he had never before played the game, he proved to be rather adept. In subsequent years, he notched a hole-in-one playing as an amateur in the Reno Golf Professional Tour Tournament against such golf heavyweights as Sam Snead and Ben Hogan. In addition, Miedema played intramural baseball, football and tennis, as no varsity teams had been established in these sports at the time.

Miedema earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in industrial arts in 1932, followed by a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1934.