Aug 25, 2007, 17:05 GMT
Hempstead, NY - Former Hofstra University men's basketball coach Butch van Breda Kolff passed away Wednesday evening in Spokane, Washington, at the age of 84.
Van Breda Kolff coached Hofstra's men's teams for a total of 13 years over two separate tenures, compiling a record of 215-134. Following his first stint with the Pride - then known as the Flying Dutchmen - from 1955 to 1962, van Breda Kolff embarked on a career coaching in the NBA and ABA, before returning to the school in 1988. His second tour of duty with Hofstra lasted through the 1993-94 season.
'The Pride Basketball program is in mourning today with the news of the passing of Butch van Breda Kolff,' said current Hofstra men's basketball coach Tom Pecora. 'After his retirement in 1994, Butch remained a friend of the program and helped introduce (current Villanova and former Hofstra head coach) Jay Wright and me to many of his former players and friends. He was a welcomed presence at our alumni games and events until his health would no longer allow it. Butch was one of a kind and will be sorely missed.'
Van Breda Kolff is survived by his son Jan, formerly the head coach at Cornell, Vanderbilt, Pepperdine and St. Bonaventure, and his three daughters, Kristina, Karen and Kaatje.
© 2007 The Sports Network
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