From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Branch McCracken (June 9, 1908 – June 4, 1970) was a college men's basketball coach.
As a player at Indiana, the Monrovia, Indiana native was a three-year letter winner for Hall of Fame coach Everett Dean. At 6-4 and 200 lbs., McCracken played center, forward and guard, pacing the Hoosiers in scoring for three years.
As a head coach, McCracken guided Ball State University (1930-38) and Indiana University (1938-43, 1946-65) to a 93-41 and 364-174 record, respectively. He coached two NCAA Championship teams (1940 and 1953). He led Ball State to the school's only victory over the Hoosiers in school history in a year the Cardinals went 17-4. In 1948, McCracken was responsible for recruiting Bill Garrett who became the first African American player in Big Ten Conference varsity sport history.
From 1943 to 1946, McCracken served as a lieutenant in the United States Navy, in World War II.
McCracken was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1960. He was also honored by Monrovia Jr.-Sr. High School when his name was given to the main gymnasium.
[edit] References
NCAA, NCAA March Madness: Cinderellas, Superstars, and Champions from the NCAA Men's Final Four : Chicago: Triumph Books, 2004. ISBN 1-57243-665-4
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