Saint Joseph's University mourns the loss of legendary basketball coach Dr. Jack Ramsay '49, who passed away overnight at his home in Naples, Fla., at the age of 89 after a decade-long battle with cancer.
Funeral services will be held in Naples on Wednesday night from 7 to 9 p.m. and Mass at 11 a.m. on Thursday at St. John the Evangelical Church. A memorial service will be held in Philadelphia later this summer.
One of the greatest teachers in basketball history, Dr. Ramsay, known affectionately throughout the basketball community as "Dr. Jack", made his mark in the collegiate and professional ranks, and more recently as a broadcaster, up until his retirement.
PHOTO GALLERY
In his own words - "Scholastic Coach" article, October, 1994
"I think that the spirit that exists on this campus here today emanates from Jack's presence on campus. I think that he was the ultimate teacher and he will be always considered the "Greatest Hawk", and that goes well beyond basketball. That's a tremendous tribute to his legacy - that it goes beyond basketball," said current SJU basketball coach Phil Martelli. "Saint Joseph's has a Mount Rushmore - and it's one person. It's not a group - it's just one person - Jack Ramsay."
Saint Joseph's athletic director Don DiJulia, who played for Ramsay, said, "He was a unique and special person and was a better person than he was a coach. I always think that his DNA had three parts - he was a faith-filled family man. Then he was a born teacher, communicator, mentor, coach. He was a great listener - he made you feel like you had a real conversation with him. It wasn't just another interview. And the third was a real competitor. Boy, did he love to compete. And I think he wanted all of his people that he worked with to compete, not just on the court. It was like "Magis" before the word was used- be better, live greater. He wanted everyone to conduct themselves with class and dignity."
Dr. Ramsay began his affiliation with Saint Joseph's as a member of the Hawks' teams of the late 1940's, which were coached by Bill Ferguson, and went on to earn his doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Ramsay began his coaching career in 1955 when he took over as head coach of the Hawks. Over the course of 11 seasons at Saint Joseph's, he amassed a 234-72 record (.765 winning percentage) and guided the Hawks to five straight NCAA Tournament appearances and nine consecutive postseason bids, both of which are school records.
His 1961 team made the school's only appearance in the NCAA Final Four and the 1965-66 Hawks were chosen as the preseason number-one team in the nation by Sports Illustrated.
While at Saint Joseph's, Dr. Ramsay mentored five eventual NBA head coaches - Jack McKinney, Paul Westhead, Jim Lynam, Matt Guokas and Jim O'Brien - along with future NBA assistant Jim Boyle.
Dr. Ramsay played baseball for the Hawks for one season and served as that team's head coach from 1956 to 1958, while he also served as a professor in Saint Joseph's Department of Education.
After leaving Saint Joseph's following the 1966 season, his first position in the professional ranks was as general manager of the 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers. That team won the world championship and is considered one of the most dominant teams in NBA history.
As a head coach in the NBA, Dr. Ramsay won 864 games in 21 seasons and guided the Portland Trailblazers to the 1977 title.
His combined total of collegiate and professional victories is 1,098, one of the highest ever in the sport of basketball.
Dr. Ramsay's received the highest honor in the game when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.
He received the University's highest honor bestowed to an alumnus, the Shield of Loyola Award, in 1984.
A member of the Saint Joseph's Athletics Hall of Fame (1999), SJU Basketball Hall of Fame (1974) and the Philadelphia Big 5 Hall of Fame (1974), Dr. Ramsay was furthered honored by the University in 2009 with the naming of the Ramsay Basketball Center. The Ramsay Center, which is adjacent to Hagan Arena, houses the SJU men's and women's basketball programs with offices, locker rooms, study spaces and a film room, as well as the Wynne Hall of Fame Room.
What They've Said About Dr. Jack:
“The Atlantic 10 Conference joins Saint Joseph's in mourning the loss of legendary player, coach and broadcaster Dr. Jack Ramsay. Dr. Ramsay's influence at all levels of basketball was immeasurable, from coaching SJU athletic director Don DiJulia to leading the Hawks to five straight NCAA Tournaments, including a Final Four appearance. He was key in establishing a history of success of basketball in Philadelphia, which tied into the foundation of the Atlantic 10. His influence will continue to be felt for years to come.”
- Bernadette McGlade, Commissioner, Atlantic 10 Conference
"Jack was a friend and someone who was respected worldwide. He was more than a Hall of Fame basketball coach; he was one of the most intelligent basketball people I've ever known. He was a great teacher, a great
coach, a true Hall of Famer and someone of incredible integrity. He'll be sorely missed."
Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball Chairman and Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Chairman Board of Governors.
Philadelphia 76ers statement
