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George Raveling

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George Raveling
Raveling, circa 1971[1]
Biographical details
Born(1937-06-27)June 27, 1937[2]
Washington, D.C., U.S.
DiedSeptember 1, 2025(2025-09-01) (aged 88)
Playing career
1957–1960Villanova
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1963–1969Villanova (assistant)
1969–1972Maryland (assistant)
1972–1983Washington State
1983–1986Iowa
1986–1994USC
Head coaching record
Overall336–292 (.535)
Tournaments2–6 (NCAA Division I)
2–2 (NIT)
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
Basketball Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2015 (profile)
College Basketball Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2013
Medal record
Assistant Coach for the
 United States
Men's national basketball team
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1984 Los Angeles Team
Bronze medal – third place 1988 Seoul Team

George Henry Raveling (June 27, 1937 – September 1, 2025) was an American college basketball player and coach. He played for the Villanova Wildcats, and was the men's head coach for the Washington State Cougars (1972‍–‍1983), Iowa Hawkeyes (1983‍–‍1986), and USC Trojans (1986‍–‍1994). He is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.[3]

Early life

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Raveling was born in a segregated hospital in Washington, D.C. on June 27, 1937.[2] He was raised in Washington, D.C. and did not play basketball until he was in ninth grade.[4] He was enrolled at St. Michael's, a Catholic boarding school in Hoban Heights, Pennsylvania; it was founded as an orphanage in 1916 near Scranton and closed in 2010.[5] His grandmother's employer helped him enroll and he converted to Catholicism while a student there.[4][6] Raveling's father died when he was 9 and his mother was institutionalized when he was 13, so academics became among the most influential forces in his life.[4][7]

College and early career

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Raveling attended college at Villanova University near Philadelphia and played basketball for the Wildcats.[8] An outstanding rebounder, he set school single game and season rebounding records in his time.[8] Raveling was team captain in his senior season, featured on the cover of the 1960 media guide,[9] and led the Wildcats to consecutive appearances in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in 1959 and 1960.[7] The Philadelphia Warriors selected him in the eighth round (pick 7) of the 1960 NBA draft.[10]

Raveling became an assistant coach at his alma mater Villanova, then moved to Maryland in 1969 on the staff of new head coach Lefty Driesell.[11] At College Park, he became the first African American coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).[12]

March on Washington with Martin Luther King Jr., 1963

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On August 28, 1963, as Martin Luther King Jr. waved goodbye to an audience of over 250,000 "March on Washington" participants, Raveling asked King if he could have the speech. King handed Raveling the original typewritten "I Have a Dream" pages.[13][14] Raveling was on the podium with King at that moment, having volunteered to provide security.[15] He kept the original, and had been offered more than three million dollars for the speech in 2013. He declined the offer.[16][17] In 2021, he gave it to Villanova University. It is intended to be used in a long-term "on loan" arrangement.[18] It is currently on display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.[19]

Head coaching career

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Washington State (1972–1983)

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Hired in Pullman in April 1972,[1][7][11][20] Raveling was the first African-American basketball coach in the Pacific-8 Conference (Pac-8, now Pac-12).[12] He guided the Washington State Cougars from 1972‍–‍1983 with two NCAA tournament appearances during his eleven years.[21] The first was in 1980 and marked the first time WSU was included in the NCAA bracket since the runner-up finish in 1941;[21] the second was three years later in 1983.[21] Raveling was one of the winningest coaches in Washington State basketball history, with a 167–136 (.551) record and seven winning seasons, including five straight from the 1975–76 campaign through the 1980 season.[21]

While with the Cougars, Raveling was the UPI Pac-8 coach of the year twice (1976 (shared),[22][23] 1983),[24][25] and was the national runner-up for AP coach of the year in 1983.[26] He was honored by WSU with his induction into the WSU Athletics Hall of Fame and Pac-12 Hall of Honor in 2004.[21]

Iowa (1983–1986)

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Raveling succeeded Lute Olson as head coach at the University of Iowa in April 1983,[27][28][29] and guided the Hawkeyes to consecutive 20-win seasons and NCAA tournament berths in 1985 and 1986.[30]

During his three years at Iowa, Raveling is probably best known for his recruits and outstanding players, including B. J. Armstrong, Kevin Gamble, Ed Horton, Roy Marble, and Greg Stokes, all of whom went on to play in the NBA.[30]

USC (1986–1994)

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Revocation of scholarships

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In 1986, the University of Southern California hired Raveling as the next head coach of the Trojans.[31]

The previous season, Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble were recruited to USC by former head coach Stan Morrison and his top assistant, David Spencer. They were joined by high school All-American, Tom Lewis, and Rich Grande as the "Four Freshmen" star recruiting class.[32][33]

After Morrison's firing, it was reported that the players would not remain unless certain conditions were met, including having a say in the next coaching staff.[32] Raveling gave the players a deadline to respond whether they would remain on the team. When they did not respond, he revoked the scholarships of Gathers, Kimble, and Lewis.[34] Raveling's controversial[35] statement was, "You can't let the Indians run the reservation," he said. "You've got to be strong, too. Sometimes you have to tell them that they have to exit."[32] Kimble and Gathers transferred together from USC to Loyola Marymount.[32] Lewis transferred to Pepperdine.[36] Grande remained at USC.[32]

Later tenure

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During Raveling's career at USC, the Trojans advanced to the NCAA tournament in 1991 and 1992[37] and competed in the NIT in 1993[38] and 1994.[39]

Raveling was named Kodak National Coach of the Year (1992),[40] Basketball Weekly Coach of the Year (1992), Black Coaches Association Coach of the Year (1992) and CBS/Chevrolet National Coach of the Year (1994).[30]

Car crash and retirement

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On the morning of September 25, 1994, Raveling's Jeep was blindsided in a two-car collision in Los Angeles. He was seriously injured, suffering nine broken ribs, a fractured pelvis and clavicle, and a collapsed lung.[41][42] He was in intensive care due to bleeding in his chest cavity for two weeks.[43] Citing the automobile crash and planned lengthy rehabilitation, he retired as head coach of USC at the age of 57 on November 14.[44][45][46]

Team USA coaching career

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While at WSU, Raveling was an assistant coach for the USA team at the Pan American Games in 1979 (under head coach Bob Knight) and the West Regional coach at the 1979 U.S. Olympic Sports Festival.[21]

At the Olympics in 1984 in Los Angeles, he served as the assistant coach for the USA team, composed of collegians.[40] He again served as assistant coach at the 1988 Olympics.[21]

Post-coaching

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Raveling authored two books on rebounding drills, War on the Boards and A Rebounder's Workshop.[21] He served as a color commentator for CBS Sports and FOX Sports.[37]

Raveling served as Nike's global basketball sports marketing director from 1994 until his death.[47] According to The New York Times, Raveling was instrumental in convincing Michael Jordan to sign with Nike in 1984, and the Air Jordan brand was born as a result of that partnership.[2]

On September 8, 2018, he was selected by former University of Maryland head basketball coach Lefty Driesell as one of Driesell's presenters upon his induction into the Naismith Hall of Fame.[48]

Raveling died on September 1, 2025, at the age of 88 due to cancer.[49]

Awards

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In 2013, he received the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.[50]

On November 21, 2013, he was a recipient of the Lapchick Award (in memory of Joe Lapchick, St. John's basketball coach), together with Don Haskins and Theresa Grentz.[51][52]

Raveling was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.[40]

On February 14, 2015, it was announced that George Raveling would be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame when he was selected for direct election by the Contributor Direct Election Committee.[53]

[edit]

In 2023, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon produced a film called Air about Nike's signing of Michael Jordan and ultimately the Air Jordan brand.[54] Marlon Wayans plays Raveling in the film.[55][2]

Head coaching record

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Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Washington State Cougars (Pacific-8 / 10 Conference) (1972–1983)
1972–73 Washington State 6–20 2–12 8th
1973–74 Washington State 8–21 3–11 T–7th
1974–75 Washington State 10–16 1–13 8th
1975–76 Washington State 19–7 9–5 4th
1976–77 Washington State 19–8 8–6 T–3rd
1977–78 Washington State 16–11 7–7 T–3rd
1978–79 Washington State 18–9 10–8 T–4th
1979–80 Washington State 22–6 14–4 3rd NCAA Division I first round
1980–81 Washington State 10–17 3–15 10th
1981–82 Washington State 16–14 10–8 5th
1982–83 Washington State 23–7 14–4 3rd NCAA Division I second round
Washington State: 167–136 (.551) 76–66 (.535)
Iowa Hawkeyes (Big Ten Conference) (1984–1986)
1983–84 Iowa 13–15 6–12 T–7th
1984–85 Iowa 21–11 10–8 5th NCAA Division I first round
1985–86 Iowa 20–12 10–8 6th NCAA Division I first round
Iowa: 54–38 (.587) 26–28 (.481)
USC Trojans (Pacific-10 Conference) (1987–1994)
1986–87 USC 9–19 4–14 10th
1987–88 USC 7–21 5–13 T–8th
1988–89 USC 10–22 2–16 10th
1989–90 USC 12–16 6–12 T–7th
1990–91 USC 19–10 10–8 T–3rd NCAA Division I first round
1991–92 USC 24–6 15–3 2nd NCAA Division I second round
1992–93 USC 18–12 9–9 T–5th NIT Quarterfinal
1993–94 USC 16–12 9–9 7th NIT first round
USC: 115–118 (.494) 55–70 (.440)
Total: 336–292 (.535)[56]

Bibliography

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  • Raveling, George (1992). A Rebounder's Workshop: A Drill Manual on Rebounding. Sysco's Sports Books. OCLC 38248302.
  • Raveling, George (2017). War on the Boards: A Rebounding Manual. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 978-1539629276.
  • Raveling, George; Holiday, Ryan (2025). What You're Made For: Powerful Life Lessons from My Career in Sports. Penguin. ISBN 978-0593852972.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Raveling is WSU choice". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). April 11, 1972. p. 17.
  2. ^ a b c d Mather, Victor (September 3, 2025). "George Raveling, Coach Who Brought Michael Jordan to Nike, Dies at 88". The New York Times. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  3. ^ "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: George Raveling". www.hoophall.com.
  4. ^ a b c Lefton, Terry − Champions 2017: George Raveling George Raveling’s life in basketball has touched many, helped influence the game. Sports Business Daily. March 27, 2017
  5. ^ CHARLES SCHILLINGER − St. Michael's School sold to New York-based non-profit. Times Tribune (Scranton PA), June 10, 2010
  6. ^ Raveling, George; Holiday, Ryan (March 4, 2025). What You're Made For: Powerful Life Lessons from My Career in Sports. Penguin Group. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-593-85297-2.
  7. ^ a b c Devlin, Vince (March 16, 1983). "Raveling". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. C1.
  8. ^ a b Villanova Basketball Media Guide. Villanova Sports Information
  9. ^ WILDCATS LEGEND RAVELING TO BE INDUCTED INTO NAISMITH HALL OF FAME FRIDAY Archived March 23, 2018, at the Wayback Machine. Villanova Sports Information, September 10, 2015
  10. ^ Golden State Warriors Media Guide, NBA, 2017–2018. Original selection day April 11, 1960
  11. ^ a b "Raveling takes over new post". The Dispatch. Lexington, North Carolina. UPI. April 12, 1972. p. 15.
  12. ^ a b Lefton, Terry − 'The Godfather': George Raveling’s life in basketball has touched many, influenced the game Sports Business Journal, March 29, 2017
  13. ^ Xavier L. Suarez (October 27, 2011). Democracy in America: 2010. AuthorHouse. pp. 10–. ISBN 978-1-4567-6056-4. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
  14. ^ Davis, Seth (January 9, 2015). "How a college coach came to own MLK's 'I Have a Dream' speech". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  15. ^ Karen Price Hossell (December 5, 2005). I Have a Dream. Heinemann-Raintree Library. pp. 34–. ISBN 978-1-4034-6811-6. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
  16. ^ Weir, Tom George Raveling owns MLK's 'I have a dream' speech. USA Today, February 27, 2009
  17. ^ Brinkley, Douglas (August 28, 2003). "Guardian of The Dream". Time. Archived from the original on August 29, 2003. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  18. ^ Donohue, Peter M. (August 27, 2021). "A Message from the President". Villanova University. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  19. ^ Institution, Smithsonian. "Martin Luther King Jr.'s Original "I Have a Dream" Speech". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  20. ^ Missildine, Harry (April 12, 1972). "Cougars' new coach busy with touring, telephoning". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 16.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h "Cougar Legend George Raveling Passes Away at the Age of 88". Washington State University Athletics. September 2, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  22. ^ "Raveling, DiBiaso share Pac-8 honor". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. March 12, 1976. p. 27.
  23. ^ "Raveling and DiBiaso share coach award". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). March 12, 1976. p. 3B.
  24. ^ "Raveling honored as 'coach of the year'". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). March 11, 1983. p. 25.
  25. ^ "Raves for Rav". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). March 11, 1983. p. 1C.
  26. ^ "Lewis named top coach; Raveling finishes second". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. April 2, 1983. p. 13.
  27. ^ Brown, Bruce (April 5, 1983). "Raveling answers Iowa call". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 25.
  28. ^ "Raveling decides to leave Cougars". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). wire services. April 5, 1983. p. 1C.
  29. ^ Devlin, Vince (February 12, 1984). "Iowa: Nothing is un-Raveling − yet". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. D1.
  30. ^ a b c Allan, James (September 2, 2025). "Former Iowa Head Coach George Raveling Passes at Age 88". Iowa State University. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  31. ^ Fleischman, Bill-Raveling Leaves Iowa To Take Reins At USC. Philadelphia Daily News, March 28, 1986
  32. ^ a b c d e Harvey, Randy (May 13, 1986). "Un-Raveling at USC: A Failure to Communicate". Los Angeles Times.
  33. ^ Florence, Mal (January 18, 1986). "Freshmen Make Sweet Music in USC Victory". Los Angeles Times. "The young players—Hank Gathers, Tom Lewis, Bo Kimble and Rich Grande—all contributed Saturday afternoon as USC beat Arizona State, 81–72, at the Sports Arena."
  34. ^ Florence, Mal (April 15, 1986). "Taken from 3 USC Freshmen: Lewis, Gathers and Kimble Receive Word from Raveling". Los Angeles Times.
  35. ^ Sands, Vernon (April 5, 1986). "At Least, If Raveling Gives a Hoot, Then So Does His USC Team". Los Angeles Times.
  36. ^ Harvey, Randy (November 22, 1989). "COLLEGE BASKETBALL '89-90: Big Reason for Lewis' Change Now Apparent". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  37. ^ a b "USC Men's Basketball Legend George Raveling Dies at 88". USC Men's Basketball. September 2, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  38. ^ Hafner, Dan (March 15, 1993). "USC, Pepperdine Garner Berths in NIT : Pairings: The Trojans play at Nevada Las Vegas, and Waves travel to UC Santa Barbara". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  39. ^ White, Lonnie (March 14, 1994). "THE NIT : USC Lands NIT Berth at Fresno". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  40. ^ a b c Wimbish, Jasmyn (September 2, 2025). "Hall of Fame basketball coach George Raveling dies at 88". CBS Sports.
  41. ^ "Raveling called 'stable;' he won't need surgery". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Los Angeles Times. September 27, 1994. p. C2.
  42. ^ Sandomir, Richard. "1994 automobile accident". The New York Times. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  43. ^ SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Raveling Is 'Stable' New York Times, September 27, 1994.
  44. ^ "Raveling steps down at SC". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. November 15, 1994. p. C1.
  45. ^ Brown, Tim (November 15, 1994). "Raveling steps down as USC head coach". Eugene Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. Los Angeles Times. p. 1D.
  46. ^ Friend, Tom (November 15, 1994). "BASKETBALL; Raveling Resigns as Coach Of U.S.C., Citing Accident". The New York Times.
  47. ^ "Former Iowa coach Raveling among Lapchick winners". Newton Daily News, November 21, 2013. Associated Press.
  48. ^ "Hall of Fame highlights: Ray Allen praises Celtics teammates, Steve Nash inspires, Don Nelson's new look". sports.yahoo.com. September 8, 2018.
  49. ^ "Former Washington State basketball coach George Raveling dies at 88". Spokesman.com. September 2, 2025. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  50. ^ Legendary Coach George Raveling To Receive Basketball Hall of Fame's 2013 John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award Archived February 20, 2013, at the Wayback Machine February 15, 2013
  51. ^ Coaching icons earn Lapchicks. ESPN (AP), November 21, 2013.
  52. ^ Former Iowa coach Raveling among Lapchick winners Associated Press (Newton Daily News), November 21, 2013
  53. ^ "Great basketball Coach, Lifetime contributor George Raveling to enter Hall of Fame in Class of 2015". Archived from the original on February 14, 2015.
  54. ^ "Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's New Movie Air Chronicles the Scrappy Rise of Nike". February 9, 2023.
  55. ^ Jackson, Angelique (June 10, 2022). "Jason Bateman, Viola Davis, Chris Tucker and Marlon Wayans Join Ben Affleck, Matt Damon's Nike Movie". Variety. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  56. ^ "George Raveling". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
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