Magee received word last week that he
was going to be inducted into the
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of
Fame, but he was asked to keep it quiet
for five days.
The announcement finally came Monday
that Magee would be joining other
basketball legends, including several
great coaches who also have connections
to Philadelphia.
It was not easy to keep a lid on the
good news, given that so many college
basketball coaches were gathered in
Houston for the Final Four on Saturday
and the NCAA championship game on Monday
night.
Of course, the prospects of Magee
entering the Hall seemed very good.
After all, his 922 career college
victories are tops for basketball
coaches in all divisions.
Magee has spent his career at
Philadelphia University. After
graduating from West Catholic High
School, he enrolled in what was then
Philadelphia Textile College in
1959. His 2,235 points scored put
him third on the school's all-time
list.
Magee took over coaching at
Philadelphia Textile in 1966 and has
been at the same school ever since.
He led the Rams to the 1970 NCAA
Division II national championship
and has coached in 25 NCAA
tournaments.
Magee is also known nationally
for teaching proper shooting
techniques to several pro basketball
players. His elevation to the Hall
of Fame is well deserved.