Bob Knight, the basketball coach who won three NCAA national championships with Indiana University, has died at the age of 83.
Knight, known for his ringside jitters and boisterous demeanor has battled dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and faltering health for the past several years.
His death was confirmed by his family, who told about the coach’s last hours.
Basketball Coach Bob Knight Dies At 83
Knight’s family released a statement confirming his passing. “It is with heavy hearts that we share that Coach Bob Knight passed away at his home in Bloomington surrounded by his family.”
MEGA
The message continued, “We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers and appreciate the continued respect for our privacy. Coach requested a private family gathering, which is being honored. We will continue to celebrate his life and remember him, today and forever as a Husband, Father, Beloved Coach, and Friend.”
Knight’s family asks that fans make memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association or Marian University in lieu of flowers. The late basketball coach was struggling with his health for the past few years. His death came a week after he celebrated his 83rd birthday on October 25. The family did not disclose the cause of death, but the legendary coach died after suffering from dementia and being hospitalized for pneumonia for several years.
Knight began his impressive coaching career at the US Military Academy at West Point. He made history, winning three titles with the Indiana Hoosiers in 1976, 1981, and 1987. He spent 29 years at Indiana, hitting a school record 661 games, and reaching the NCAA tournament 24 times in 29 seasons.
The Ohio native won 20 or more games in 29 seasons, compiling a career record of 902-371. Knight also coached the US Olympic team to a gold medal in Los Angeles in 1984.
Despite his impressive victories, Knight’s career has often been shrouded in controversy due to his excesses. He was fired in 2000 for an “unacceptable pattern of behavior” after an incident on campus involving an Indiana student.
MEGA
He held the arm of a new student who he said greeted him by his last name. Knight also has other violations to his name including choking player Neil Reed in practice in 1997 and throwing a chair during a Purdue game.
After leaving the Hoosiers, he coached at Texas Tech for 6 ¹/₂ seasons before retiring in 2008 with 902 wins. He later worked as a college basketball analyst for ESPN. The late iconic basketball coach was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991.
The Basketball World Mourns Bob Knight
Following news of his death, Indiana University released a statement. University President Pamela Whitten wrote, “As we collectively mourn the passing of Coach Knight, we also celebrate a man who will always be part of the vibrant story of Indiana University. With his unparalleled accomplishments, Coach Knight’s excellence ensures that he will forever remain among the giants of college basketball.”
Texas Tech Athletics said in a statement to ESPN, “Coach Knight … will forever be remembered as one of the greatest coaches in not only Texas Tech history but all of college basketball. He really changed the game with not only his motion offense but his insistence that his team be defined by their defense.”
MEGA
The message continued, “His impact was felt off the court as well, as he was a huge supporter of student-athletes receiving a quality education, evidenced by his teams each year producing a near-perfect graduation rate. Coach Knight’s impact on our basketball program will be forever. cherished as one of the best periods in our history.”
Fellow coach Mike Krzyzewski, who played under Knight, mourned the late legend, writing, “We lost one of the greatest coaches in basketball history today. Obviously, he is an extraordinary person. Coach Knight recruited me, mentored me, and had a profound impact on my career and in my life. This is a great loss to our sport and our family is deeply saddened by his passing. Our condolences to Karen, Tim, Pat, and their families during this difficult time.”
RIP Bob Knight.
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
