Bob MacKinnon
Encyclopedia
Bob MacKinnon is a retired American collegiate and professional basketball
coach. He coached three different professional teams in his career; the American Basketball Association
's Spirits of St. Louis
, and the NBA's Buffalo Braves
and New Jersey Nets
. MacKinnon also served as the Nets' general manager.
. Bob was an All-High choice in basketball in 1944, 1945, and 1946, and established a Yale Cup scoring record while pacing the Macks to the City Championship as a junior and senior. Bob excelled in football as well, as an All-High halfback and member of three City Championship teams. An outstanding infielder, Bob also won All-High honors in baseball while leading the Macks to the 1946 City Championship.
Although MacKinnon played baseball at Canisius College
and captained the 1950 squad, his greatest success as a college athlete came in basketball. His honors included selection to the All-Western New York team in 1948-1950, to the All-Auditorium team in 1949-1950, and as a Sporting News Second-Team All American in 1950. In perhaps his greatest moment of individual distinction, MacKinnon edged out College of the Holy Cross
's Bob Cousy
as MVP of the Jesuit Game in 1949. MacKinnon is considered one of the most superb defenders and playmakers in Golden Griffin history. Following graduation, baseball beckoned, and MacKinnon signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization. However, a steady diet of cheap motels and long bus trips as a minor-leaguer led him back to his first passion, basketball.
Following a season as a player for the Syracuse Nationals
of the National Basketball Association
, MacKinnon returned to Buffalo to coach basketball at Canisius High School
. He compiled a record of 36-2 over two seasons and was appointed coach of the Canisius College freshman squad. In 1959 MacKinnon was named head basketball coach and athletic director at Canisius College. At the time, he was the youngest coach in the NCAA. The program reached its peak a mere four years later, as the Golden Griffins posted a 19-7 record and made an appearance in the NIT Finals that earned MacKinnon Eastern Coach of the Year honors. He coached the Griffs for 13 seasons; during his tenure, his capabilities were recognized by his fellow coaches as they selected him to the National Invitation Tournament
Selection Committee, the NCAA All-American Selection Committee, and the NCAA Rules Committee.
MacKinnon left Canisius in 1972, signing on with the Buffalo Braves as assistant coach and scout. Within three seasons, the Braves were a National Basketball Association power. He also coached during 1974-75 in the American Basketball Association
, leading the Spirits of St. Louis to a stunning upset of the defending champion New York Nets in the semifinal round of the 1975 ABA playoffs. MacKinnon's significant achievements in professional basketball were a fitting culmination to a career spent in service to the sport. He was recognized for his prowess as an athlete and coach by his induction into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.
Bob has been married since 1955 to the former Norma Marie Fell. They have four daughters and one son. His son Bob MacKinnon, Jr. is head coach of the NBA Development League
's Springfield Armor
.
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 coached three different professional teams in his career; the American Basketball Association
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
's Spirits of St. Louis
Spirits of St. Louis
The Spirits of St. Louis were one of two teams still in existence at the end of the American Basketball Association that did not survive the ABA-NBA merger. They were a member of the ABA in its last two seasons, 1974–75 and 1975–76, while playing their home games at the St...
, and the NBA's Buffalo Braves
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
and New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. MacKinnon also served as the Nets' general manager.
Biography
MacKinnon was a three-sport athlete at McKinley High School in Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
. Bob was an All-High choice in basketball in 1944, 1945, and 1946, and established a Yale Cup scoring record while pacing the Macks to the City Championship as a junior and senior. Bob excelled in football as well, as an All-High halfback and member of three City Championship teams. An outstanding infielder, Bob also won All-High honors in baseball while leading the Macks to the 1946 City Championship.
Although MacKinnon played baseball at Canisius College
Canisius College
Canisius College is a private Roman Catholic college in Buffalo, New York, United States. The college was founded in 1870 by members of the Society of Jesus from Germany and is named after St. Peter Canisius. The college is one of 28 institutions in the Association of Jesuit Colleges and...
and captained the 1950 squad, his greatest success as a college athlete came in basketball. His honors included selection to the All-Western New York team in 1948-1950, to the All-Auditorium team in 1949-1950, and as a Sporting News Second-Team All American in 1950. In perhaps his greatest moment of individual distinction, MacKinnon edged out College of the Holy Cross
College of the Holy Cross
The College of the Holy Cross is an undergraduate Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA...
's Bob Cousy
Bob Cousy
Robert Joseph "Bob" Cousy is a retired American professional basketball player. The 6'1" , 175-pound Cousy played point guard with the National Basketball Association's Boston Celtics from 1951 to 1963 and briefly with the Cincinnati Royals in the 1969–70 season...
as MVP of the Jesuit Game in 1949. MacKinnon is considered one of the most superb defenders and playmakers in Golden Griffin history. Following graduation, baseball beckoned, and MacKinnon signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization. However, a steady diet of cheap motels and long bus trips as a minor-leaguer led him back to his first passion, basketball.
Following a season as a player for the Syracuse Nationals
Syracuse Nationals
The Syracuse Nationals were an American professional basketball team that existed from 1946 to 1963 as part of the National Basketball League and National Basketball Association . They are currently known as the Philadelphia 76ers, and are the NBA's oldest continued franchise.The team began in...
of the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
, MacKinnon returned to Buffalo to coach basketball at Canisius High School
Canisius High School
Canisius High School is a Roman Catholic Jesuit private high school for young men. Canisius located at 1180 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo, New York, United States, just north of the Delaware Avenue Historic District. Founded in 1870, the school has historical ties to Canisius College...
. He compiled a record of 36-2 over two seasons and was appointed coach of the Canisius College freshman squad. In 1959 MacKinnon was named head basketball coach and athletic director at Canisius College. At the time, he was the youngest coach in the NCAA. The program reached its peak a mere four years later, as the Golden Griffins posted a 19-7 record and made an appearance in the NIT Finals that earned MacKinnon Eastern Coach of the Year honors. He coached the Griffs for 13 seasons; during his tenure, his capabilities were recognized by his fellow coaches as they selected him to the National Invitation Tournament
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
Selection Committee, the NCAA All-American Selection Committee, and the NCAA Rules Committee.
MacKinnon left Canisius in 1972, signing on with the Buffalo Braves as assistant coach and scout. Within three seasons, the Braves were a National Basketball Association power. He also coached during 1974-75 in the American Basketball Association
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
, leading the Spirits of St. Louis to a stunning upset of the defending champion New York Nets in the semifinal round of the 1975 ABA playoffs. MacKinnon's significant achievements in professional basketball were a fitting culmination to a career spent in service to the sport. He was recognized for his prowess as an athlete and coach by his induction into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.
Bob has been married since 1955 to the former Norma Marie Fell. They have four daughters and one son. His son Bob MacKinnon, Jr. is head coach of the NBA Development League
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
's Springfield Armor
Springfield Armor
The Springfield Armor is a basketball team located in Springfield, Massachusetts, which plays in the NBA Development League. The Armor plays its home games at the MassMutual Center in Springfield's Metro Center neighborhood. The team is owned by HWS Basketball, LLC which is principally owned by...
.