WICHITA, Kan. - Gary Thompson, who coached Wichita State men's basketball to
the 1965 Final Four, passed away early Saturday morning.
Thompson, 78, died at Via Christi-St. Joseph Campus from
complications from a heart attack he suffered in October while visiting Wichita
for his 60th reunion at East High, according to a Wichita Eagle
article.
"Our
deepest condolences go out to the Thompson family on behalf of the Wichita
State Athletics family," WSU Director of Athletics Eric Sexton said. "During his
playing days, as well as his coaching days, he exemplified the highest quality
of character and integrity, fitting of Wichita State University and Shocker
Athletics."
Thompson, who retired to California, played basketball for
the Shockers from 1951-54 and compiled a 93-94 record in seven seasons as head
coach at Wichita State from 1964-71. He worked previously as an assistant to head
coach Ralph Miller from 1957-64.
He guided the Shockers to the Final Four in his first season
as coach, at the age of 32, and was named the Missouri Valley Conference coach
of the year in 1965. Thompson led WSU to its first No. 1 ranking on Dec. 14,
1964.
The list of players he coached at WSU includes: Warren
Armstrong, Terry Benton, Greg Carney and Dave Stallworth.
Thompson is survived by his wife Betty and children Paul,
Laurel and Cory.
A memorial fund has been established with the American
Diabetes Association, 837 South Hillside, Wichita, Kansas 67211.
To read the Nov. 13, 2010 Wichita Eagle article about
Thompson, click here.
To read Thompson's obituary in the Wichita Eagle, click
here.
- Wichita State -
