The man who led Washington State University basketball in the 1970s and 1980s, then went on to the Naismith Hall of Fame has died at the age of 88.
George Raveling’s family announced on social media that the coaching legend died peacefully, “surrounded by family as well as love, faith, and sacred protection.”
The Raveling family said ‘He will be profoundly missed, yet his aura, energy, divine presence and, and timeless wisdom live on in all those he touched and transformed.”
Raveling played basketball at Villanova. He came to WSU as head coach in 1972, then in 1983 moved on to the University of Iowa then USC.
Raveling was the global sports marketing director for Nike when the brand signed Michael Jordan.
He worked security during Martin Luther King, Jr’s “I have a dream” speech. As Washington State University magazine reported in a profile on Raveling, he asked Dr. King for a copy of the speech, which Dr. King handed over.
“Born in a segregated hospital and rising to the halls of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, George never lost his love for life, his resilience, his childlike curiosity, nor his unshakable belief in treating every person with dignity and respect,” his family wrote. “Beyond accolades, he remained a lifelong learner and a kind, beautiful soul – always finding ways to pour into others and inspire the next generation.”
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