For nearly 45 years, Dave Gavitt helped the game of basketball grow and prosper for others. Today is his turn to step into the spotlight.
Gavitt, an ultimate insider in virtually all levels of the game, has been introduced in Indianapolis as a member of the newest class of inductees into the Basketball Hall of Fame. The induction ceremonies will be held Sept. 7-9 in Springfield, Mass.
Gavitt joins a class that includes former NBA stars Charles Barkley, Dominique Wilkins and Joe Dumars; Connecticut women’s coach Geno Auriemma; and longtime Italian National Team coach Sandro Gamba.
``Other than family, this is the most important thing to me,'' Gavitt said from Indianapolis. ``The game has been my life and to be honored by your peers is very special.''
Gavitt is believed to be the first native Rhode Islander to be chosen for hoops' Hall. He was born in Westerly and grew up in New Hampshire, but has lived in Rumford for more than 35 years. The other Hall of Famers with Rhode Island links are former URI coach Frank Keaney and ex-Providence players Lenny Wilkens and John Thompson, none of whom were born in the Ocean State.
Gavitt's basketball career began as a player at Dartmouth, where his teams won two Ivy League titles. He began his coaching career at Worcester Academy, where he was introduced to Providence coach Joe Mullaney, who offered a job as an assistant coach. Gavitt accepted, and sat alongside Mullaney from 1962-66, helping shape the careers of John Thompson, Ray Flynn and Jimmy Walker, among others. Gavitt became the head coach at Dartmouth in 1967-68 but returned to PC when Mullaney left for the Los Angeles Lakers in 1969.
Gavitt quickly carved out his own legacy at Providence, where his teams won 20 or more games eight times from 1971-78, highlighted by the 1972-73 team's trip to the Final Four. While at Providence, Gavitt's career took off both nationally and internationally. His work on that front led him to being named head coach of the 1980 Olympic team, a group that ultimately didn't play in Moscow due to the boycott supported by President Jimmy Carter.
Gavitt resigned as PC's coach in 1979 to become the first commissioner of the Big East Conference, his most enduring contribution to basketball. Gavitt drew several of the East's premier schools together, and the group quickly grew into a national power. In 1985, St. John's, Georgetown and Villanova all made the Final Four -- the only time three schools from the same league have advanced as far. At the same time, Gavitt was the chair of the NCAA Basketball Committee and led major developments in the men's national tournament.
Gavitt left the Big East in 1990 to serve as the CEO of the Boston Celtics, and also ran USA Basketball, leading the charge for professionals to play in the Olympics.
After leaving the Celts in 1994, Gavitt raised money for the NCAA's Foundation and became chairman of the board for the Hall of Fame. He left that post in 2003, after watching over construction of a new Hall on the banks of the Connecticut River in downtown Springfield.
Gavitt was elected in his first year of eligibility.
-- KEVIN McNAMARA
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A well deserved honor for a great coach and administrator....
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Gavitt was a terrible coach----just a yes man for Marvin and the boys. Funny how Marvin Barnes---who could not make a plane or a bus on time once in the pros----NEVER was ineligible for a game at PC ! Amazing ! Without his horses and being the doormat for them he would have won nothing ...
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Red,
You couldn't be more wrong - just ask Marvin himself. Take off your Keany blue shades every once in a while, you'll be surprised how clearer things become.
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Coach Gavitt belongs in the Hall. I attended PC during the Marvin/Ernie years; Marvin never had any problem getting to practice or games......Coach Dave was a brilliant motivator and X's and O's guy
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