During one of its most successful periods in program history, Columbia men's basketball did not have to look far for its star player – Brooklyn's own, Ted Kiendl.

From 1908-11, the Lions won 40 of 43 games with Kiendl leading the way. He played on the 1908-09 Intercollegiate Championship squad and helped the Lions win the 1910-11 E.I.B.L title.

Individually, the forward was the first Columbia player to earn National Player of the Year accolades in 1910-11 after he led the E.I.B.L. in scoring (100 points, 7.1 PPG in the pre-shot clock era). For his career, Kiendl was a three-time All-American and all-league honoree.

Upon his graduation, Kiendl had a brilliant career as a negligence defense attorney, beginning in 1913. He later served as a special assistant for New York Gov. Thomas E. Dewey.

Kiendl passed away in 1976.