Keiser University's Legendary College Basketball Coach Rollie Massimino has Passed Away
WEST PALM BEACH, FL / ACCESSWIRE / September 1, 2017 / Expressing heartfelt sadness on behalf of the entire Keiser University community, Chancellor, Dr. Arthur Keiser shared the following:
Coach Rollie Massimino, who has admirably guided Keiser University men's basketball program over the past 12 years, and famously achieved 816 wins during his 45-year coaching career, has sadly passed away at the age of 82. Coach Massimino, best known for his "family style" coaching, was considered to be one of the greatest college coaches of all time. Comforted at home by his family, friends, and fellow coaching greats, Coach Massimino tragically succumbed to health-related matters.
Across the nation, most knew Coach Massimino for his legendary leadership of underdog Villanova University in its remarkable 1985 NCAA Championship over the heavily favored Georgetown Hoyas. At Keiser University, we knew him for that incredible accomplishment, but also much more. His influence helped his fellow college coaches to be even better leaders. He inspired countless college athletes to be their best in the classroom, on the court, and in the community. Most recently, Coach Massimino stood proudly as one of his 2016-2017 players was named Class Valedictorian.
In 2006, Massimino built the Northwood University program from scratch, which would later become Keiser University. He transformed Seahawks basketball into a national powerhouse in the NAIA, enjoying eight consecutive trips to the national tournament in the program's short history. For his achievements in college basketball, Massimino was elected as a member of the 2013 class of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in Kansas City, Missouri.
One of his most notable achievements came during the closing hours of the 16-17 season as his Keiser University team notched his 800th career win. Coach Massimino became the 39th coach to record 800 career wins, and just the third active coach in college basketball history, to reach the 800-win plateau and win an NCAA National Championship during their coaching career.
He motivated his players with the belief that "Enthusiasm is Contagious" and that message reflected Coach Massimino's view of life. By giving 100 percent himself, on and off the court, he instilled enthusiasm into everyone around him with ceaseless energy that radiated onto his basketball players.
Over the years, Coach Massimino racked up numerous awards as a coach. In 1985, he was named National Coach of the Year by MacGregor Sporting Goods and in 1982, he earned Big East Coach of the Year accolades, just one of eight times he was honored on a league basis in the NCAA. In 2011, he was named the NAIA National Coach of the Year and earned the Rawlings National Coach of the Year in 2012.
As our campus community deeply mourns the loss of Coach Massimino, we extend our warmest thoughts and condolences to his wife Mary Jane and the entire Massimino family. We are so truly honored to have shared this time with him and take some degree of comfort in knowing the positive impact he has had on college students for the last four decades remains immeasurable.
About Keiser University
Keiser University, co-founded by Dr. Arthur Keiser, Chancellor in 1977, is a private, not-for-profit University serving nearly 20,000 students offering 100 degrees at the doctoral through associate level on 18 Florida campuses, online and internationally, employing 3,800 staff and faculty.
Ranked #23 by US News & World Report in its 2017 Best Regional Colleges South category, Keiser University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates and degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, masters, specialist, and doctoral levels. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Keiser University.
For additional information regarding Keiser University, visit www.keiseruniversity.edu
Photo Caption: Rollie Massimino, Keiser University Head Basketball Coach, seated in his office.
Contact Info:
Name: Kelli Lane
Email: [email protected]
Organization: Keiser University
Address: 2600 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33409
Phone: (954) 235-0331
Video URL: https://youtu.be/K8tTfeZdxqQ
For more information, please visit https://www.keiseruniversity.edu/
SOURCE: Keiser University