George Raveling — a legendary figure in basketball history.
George Raveling – Quick Profile
- Full Name: George Henry Raveling
- Born: June 27, 1937 (Washington, D.C., USA)
- Profession: Former college basketball coach, executive, and author
- Notable Roles:
- First African American head basketball coach in the Pac-8 (now Pac-12) Conference
- Longtime Nike Global Basketball Director of International Basketball
- Civil rights advocate and inspirational speaker
Coaching Career
- Washington State University (1972–1983) – Became the first Black head coach in the Pac-8.
- University of Iowa (1983–1986) – Guided the Hawkeyes to NCAA tournament appearances.
- University of Southern California (1986–1994) – Built USC into a competitive Pac-10 program.
Civil Rights Legacy
- March on Washington (1963): While volunteering as a bodyguard for Martin Luther King Jr., Raveling was handed the original copy of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
- He preserved the historic document and has often spoken about its significance.
Achievements & Honors
- Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2015).
- Received the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hall of Fame.
- Recognized as one of the most influential people in basketball by his peers.
Author & Mentor
- Wrote books including Coaching for Success and 15 to 18: A Coaching Memoir.
- Known for mentoring countless athletes and coaches, and for his work in promoting diversity in sports.
