Bill White (basketball coach)
Encyclopedia
Bill White was an American basketball
coach. He was the first head coach at Oral Roberts University
, and helped lay the groundwork for ORU's athletic and health education departments. While at ORU, White compiled a record of 65-35, which ranks him as the third winningest coach in school history. Prior to taking the head coaching position at ORU, White established the basketball program at Emmanuel College
in Franklin Springs, Ga.
After leaving Oral Roberts University, White coached at the University of Corpus Christi (now known as Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi), and subsequently left to become an assistant to Coach Abe Lemons
. Upon Lemons departure to the University of Texas, White was named the head coach and athletic director at Pan American University in 1976. While at Pan American, Coach White led the Broncs to their first (and to this day only) post-season tournament play at the Division I level. During the 1980-81 season, Pan American earned a berth to the 1981 National Invitation Tournament
. The Broncs lost to the 1981 NIT champs, the University of Tulsa
Hurricanes, coached by Nolan Richardson
. That year the Broncs also were able to post a regular-season upset win over the eventual NCAA Champion Indiana Hoosiers
coached by Bobby Knight
. Coach White compiled a 94-66 record while at Pan American, the third best in school history behind Abe Lemons and Sam Williams. Lon Kruger
replaced Coach White in 1982 as Pan American's head basketball coach.
In 1999 White died of a heart attack at the age of 62.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
coach. He was the first head coach at Oral Roberts University
Oral Roberts University
Oral Roberts University , based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the United States, is an interdenominational, Charismatic Christian, comprehensive university with an enrollment of about 3,790 students from 49 U.S. states along with a significant number of international students from 70 countries...
, and helped lay the groundwork for ORU's athletic and health education departments. While at ORU, White compiled a record of 65-35, which ranks him as the third winningest coach in school history. Prior to taking the head coaching position at ORU, White established the basketball program at Emmanuel College
Emmanuel College
Emmanuel College may refer to one of several academic institutions:in Australia* Emmanuel College, University of Queensland, part of the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia...
in Franklin Springs, Ga.
After leaving Oral Roberts University, White coached at the University of Corpus Christi (now known as Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi), and subsequently left to become an assistant to Coach Abe Lemons
Abe Lemons
Abe Lemons was one of the most successful head basketball coaches in Oklahoma history.Lemons grew up in the town of Walters, Oklahoma. He served in World War II in the Pacific and often referred to the pressures of his war experience to put sports pressures into perspective...
. Upon Lemons departure to the University of Texas, White was named the head coach and athletic director at Pan American University in 1976. While at Pan American, Coach White led the Broncs to their first (and to this day only) post-season tournament play at the Division I level. During the 1980-81 season, Pan American earned a berth to the 1981 National Invitation Tournament
1981 National Invitation Tournament
-Semifinals & Finals:*Third Place - Purdue 75, West Virginia 72...
. The Broncs lost to the 1981 NIT champs, the University of Tulsa
University of Tulsa
The University of Tulsa is a private university awarding bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. It is currently ranked 75th among doctoral degree granting universities in the nation by US News and World Report and is listed as one of the "Best 366 Colleges" by...
Hurricanes, coached by Nolan Richardson
Nolan Richardson
Nolan Richardson is an American basketball head coach, who was elected to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. He has coached teams to winning a NCAA Men's Division I Basketball National Championship, a NIT, and a Junior College National Championship, the only coach to do so. Most...
. That year the Broncs also were able to post a regular-season upset win over the eventual NCAA Champion Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana Hoosiers
The Indiana Hoosiers are the athletic teams for the Bloomington campus of Indiana University . Athletic teams sponsored by IU Bloomington include cross country, track, baseball, golf, tennis, rowing, volleyball, soccer, football and basketball...
coached by Bobby Knight
Bobby Knight
-Indiana:When Indiana University was seeking a new coach in 1971, they turned to Knight. Knight was given the nickname "The General" by former University of Detroit and Detroit Pistons coach-turned-broadcaster Dick Vitale....
. Coach White compiled a 94-66 record while at Pan American, the third best in school history behind Abe Lemons and Sam Williams. Lon Kruger
Lon Kruger
Lon Kruger is an American college and professional basketball coach who is currently the men's basketball head coach of the University of Oklahoma. Kruger played college basketball for Kansas State University...
replaced Coach White in 1982 as Pan American's head basketball coach.
In 1999 White died of a heart attack at the age of 62.