Press Maravich
Encyclopedia
Petar "Press" Maravich was an American college
and professional
basketball
coach. He received the nickname "Press" for always having gossip-styled updates in his hometown of Aliquippa
, Pennsylvania
, a Pittsburgh suburb. Maravich Sr. also served in the United States Naval Air Corps
during World War II
.
Despite a long and distinguished career as a player and coach, Maravich may best be remembered as "Pistol" Pete Maravich
's father. Maravich graduated from Davis & Elkins College in 1941 and was a member of the Alpha Sigma Phi
fraternity.
and the Pittsburgh Ironmen
(1946–1947) of the Basketball Association of America
.
Press Maravich's first head coaching job at the college level was West Virginia Wesleyan College
, 1949–1950. From there he went on to become head coach of his alma mater, Davis & Elkins, 1950–1952. He had previously served as an assistant under Red Brown from 1947 to 1949.
Maravich was head coach of the Tigers
of Clemson University
from 1956–1962. He then went to North Carolina State University
to be an assistant coach under Everett Case
. Maravich took over the head coaching duties when health problems, namely cancer, forced Case to retire early in the 1964–1965 season. Maravich led the Wolfpack
to the Atlantic Coast Conference
title that season. Maravich left for Louisiana State University
in April 1966 where he coached his son, Pete Maravich
. Upon offering the LSU
scholarship to "Pistol," "Press" told his boy that "If you don't sign this ... don't ever come into my house again." In spite of coaching his prolific son for half of his coaching career at LSU, Maravich had an overall losing record at the school. Maravich was replaced at LSU by Dale Brown
in 1972. He then went on to coach the Mountaineers
of Appalachian State
before retiring from coaching in 1975. Maravich returned to coaching in the early 1980s as associate head coach at Campbell University
.
in the spring of 1985. During a basketball clinic in Israel
signs of his condition appeared when he had begun to urinate blood. Due to his son's, Pete Maravich's, strong belief in holistic healing
and herbal medication at that point in his life, proper cancer treatment was delayed for too long to be of significant effect to his condition. Press eventually was persuaded to receive proper treatment for his condition at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
in New York, but he cancelled before being admitted. After some time, on February 11, 1987, Press and son Pete flew to Hanover
, Germany
for an experimental protocol treatment that lasted for 11 days; symptoms such as coughing subsided while the treatment had no effect on the cancer. Through the next two months, Press's condition deteriorated while Pete took constant care of him with his niece, Diana. Press Maravich lived his last days in Highland Park Hospital in Covington, Louisiana
where he died shortly before 6:30 p.m., April 15, 1987. Press Maravich lived just long enough to see Pete selected as a possible member into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, but not long enough to see him officially inducted in May 1987. Pete Maravich is quoted as saying, "I'll see you soon." to his father immediately after his death; Pete Maravich
died 9 months later on January 5, 1988. Both father and son became born again Christians late in their lives.
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
and professional
Professional sports
Professional sports, as opposed to amateur sports, are sports in which athletes receive payment for their performance. Professional athleticism has come to the fore through a combination of developments. Mass media and increased leisure have brought larger audiences, so that sports organizations...
basketball
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 received the nickname "Press" for always having gossip-styled updates in his hometown of Aliquippa
Aliquippa, Pennsylvania
Aliquippa is a city in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States, within the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. The population was 9,438 at the 2010 census. Formerly a borough, it was formally named a city in 1987 by the Aliquippa Council.-History:...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, a Pittsburgh suburb. Maravich Sr. also served in the United States Naval Air Corps
United States Naval Air Corps
The United States Naval Air Corps was a term denoting the portion of the United States Navy made up of United States Naval Aviators. The term was especially in use before and during World War II....
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Despite a long and distinguished career as a player and coach, Maravich may best be remembered as "Pistol" Pete Maravich
Pete Maravich
Peter "Pistol Pete" Press Maravich was an American professional basketball player. Born and raised in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Maravich starred in college at Louisiana State University and played for three NBA teams until injuries induced him to retire in 1980...
's father. Maravich graduated from Davis & Elkins College in 1941 and was a member of the Alpha Sigma Phi
Alpha Sigma Phi
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity is a social fraternity with 71 active chapters and 9 colonies. Founded at Yale in 1845, it is the 10th oldest fraternity in the United States....
fraternity.
Playing and coaching career
After college he played professional basketball with the Youngstown Bears (1945–1946) of the National Basketball LeagueNational Basketball League (United States)
Founded in 1937, the National Basketball League, often abbreviated to NBL, was a professional men's basketball league in the United States. The league would later merge with the Basketball Association of America to form the National Basketball Association in 1949.- League history :The...
and the Pittsburgh Ironmen
Pittsburgh Ironmen
The Pittsburgh Ironmen were a charter member of the Basketball Association of America . The team was based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They ended their only season in the BAA in 1946-47 with a record of 15-45, finishing in fifth and last place in the Western Division and worst overall in the league...
(1946–1947) of the Basketball Association of America
Basketball Association of America
The Basketball Association of America was a professional basketball league in North America, founded in 1946. The league merged with the National Basketball League in 1949, forming the National Basketball Association ...
.
Press Maravich's first head coaching job at the college level was West Virginia Wesleyan College
West Virginia Wesleyan College
West Virginia Wesleyan College is a regionally accredited private, coeducational, liberal arts college in Buckhannon, West Virginia, United States. It has an enrollment of about 1,400 students from 35 U.S. states and 26 countries. The school was founded in 1890 by the West Virginia Conference of...
, 1949–1950. From there he went on to become head coach of his alma mater, Davis & Elkins, 1950–1952. He had previously served as an assistant under Red Brown from 1947 to 1949.
Maravich was head coach of the Tigers
Clemson Tigers men's basketball
The Clemson Tigers men's basketball team is a college basketball program that competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference in the NCAA Division I. The current head coach is Brad Brownell.-Team history:...
of Clemson University
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
from 1956–1962. He then went to North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
to be an assistant coach under Everett Case
Everett Case
Everett N. Case , nicknamed "Gray Fox", was a basketball coach most notable for his tenure at North Carolina State University, from 1946 to 1964....
. Maravich took over the head coaching duties when health problems, namely cancer, forced Case to retire early in the 1964–1965 season. Maravich led the Wolfpack
NC State Wolfpack men's basketball
The NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team represents North Carolina State University in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. The Wolfpack currently competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference, of which it was a founding member....
to the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
title that season. Maravich left for Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
in April 1966 where he coached his son, Pete Maravich
Pete Maravich
Peter "Pistol Pete" Press Maravich was an American professional basketball player. Born and raised in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Maravich starred in college at Louisiana State University and played for three NBA teams until injuries induced him to retire in 1980...
. Upon offering the LSU
LSU Tigers basketball
The Louisiana State Tigers basketball team represents Louisiana State University in NCAA Division I men's college basketball. The team is currently coached by Trent Johnson and has enjoyed recent success, including a Final Four run in the 2005–2006 season. Past coaches include John Brady, Press...
scholarship to "Pistol," "Press" told his boy that "If you don't sign this ... don't ever come into my house again." In spite of coaching his prolific son for half of his coaching career at LSU, Maravich had an overall losing record at the school. Maravich was replaced at LSU by Dale Brown
Dale Brown (basketball)
Dale Duward Brown is an American former college basketball coach who spent 25 years leading the LSU Tigers. His team earned Final Four appearances in 1981 and 1986. He is also remembered as one of the most vocal critics of the NCAA because he said it legislated against human dignity.-Life in...
in 1972. He then went on to coach the Mountaineers
Appalachian State Mountaineers men's basketball
The Appalachian State Mountaineers basketball team is the college basketball team at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. The Mountaineers have competed in the Southern Conference since 1972, and are currently a Division I member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association ....
of Appalachian State
Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University is a comprehensive , public, coeducational university located in Boone, North Carolina, United States. Appalachian State, also referred to as Appalachian, App State, or simply App, is the sixth largest institution in the University of North Carolina system...
before retiring from coaching in 1975. Maravich returned to coaching in the early 1980s as associate head coach at Campbell University
Campbell University
Campbell University is a coeducational, church-related university in rural North Carolina, USA. Its main campus is located in the community of Buies Creek; its law school moved from Buies Creek to a new campus in the state capital of Raleigh in 2009. Campbell has an approximately equal number of...
.
Basketball head coaching record
Death
Petar Maravich was diagnosed with prostate cancerProstate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
in the spring of 1985. During a basketball clinic in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
signs of his condition appeared when he had begun to urinate blood. Due to his son's, Pete Maravich's, strong belief in holistic healing
Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine is any healing practice, "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine." It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence....
and herbal medication at that point in his life, proper cancer treatment was delayed for too long to be of significant effect to his condition. Press eventually was persuaded to receive proper treatment for his condition at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center is a cancer treatment and research institution founded in 1884 as the New York Cancer Hospital...
in New York, but he cancelled before being admitted. After some time, on February 11, 1987, Press and son Pete flew to Hanover
Hanover
Hanover or Hannover, on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony , Germany and was once by personal union the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain, under their title as the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
for an experimental protocol treatment that lasted for 11 days; symptoms such as coughing subsided while the treatment had no effect on the cancer. Through the next two months, Press's condition deteriorated while Pete took constant care of him with his niece, Diana. Press Maravich lived his last days in Highland Park Hospital in Covington, Louisiana
Covington, Louisiana
Covington is a city in and the parish seat of St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 8,483 at the 2000 census. It is located at a fork of the Bogue Falaya and the Tchefuncte River....
where he died shortly before 6:30 p.m., April 15, 1987. Press Maravich lived just long enough to see Pete selected as a possible member into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, but not long enough to see him officially inducted in May 1987. Pete Maravich is quoted as saying, "I'll see you soon." to his father immediately after his death; Pete Maravich
Pete Maravich
Peter "Pistol Pete" Press Maravich was an American professional basketball player. Born and raised in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Maravich starred in college at Louisiana State University and played for three NBA teams until injuries induced him to retire in 1980...
died 9 months later on January 5, 1988. Both father and son became born again Christians late in their lives.