Dave Gavitt dies

LJSA

Active member
 http://www.cbssports.com/#!/collegebasketball/story/15595695/legendary-big-east-figure-gavitt-dies-at-73

Dave Gavitt, one of basketball's most influential leaders the last three decades, has died at 73.

His death Friday night after a long illness was confirmed by his family Saturday. He died in a hospital near his hometown of Rumford, R.I.

Gavitt was a member of the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame and the first commissioner of the Big East Conference. He led Providence to the Final Four in 1973 and started the Big East offices there in 1979.

He was selected to coach the U.S. Olympic team in 1980, but the United States boycotted the Moscow Games. Gavitt was president of USA Basketball and oversaw the introduction of NBA players onto the U.S. Olympic roster, including the Dream Team at the 1992 Games.

He also was chairman of the Basketball Hall of Fame, where he was inducted in 2006.
 
 Sad to hear. RIP to the visionary of the Big East Conference. I am glad he will not witness more of this conference
switching madness.
 
 I had the opportunity to work with Dave Gavitt during the NCAA tournament in 1981. Fresh out of St. John's, initially I was in awe of him, after all, he was the US Olympic coach. I will always rememeber how he treated me. He was the most likeable, professional, regular person you would ever want to meet. He taught me so much during that week. I was very saddened by the news and my prayers go out to his family and to the PC family.
 
What an awful irony.
The architect of the BE dies on the same day his creation dies.

Gavitt was a visionary and we as BE fans owe him much. RIP.
 
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