Bernard Hickman

Bernard "Peck" Hickman
Sport(s) Basketball
Biographical details
Born October 14, 1910(1910-10-14)
Place of birth Central City, Kentucky,
United States
Died February 20, 2000(2000-02-20) (aged 88)
Place of death Louisville, Kentucky,
United States
Playing career
1932–35 Western Kentucky University
Position(s) Guard
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1944–67 Louisville
Head coaching record
Overall 443-183 (.708)

Bernard "Peck" Hickman (October 5, 1911 – February 20, 2000) is best known as the man who turned the University of Louisville men's basketball team into one of the nation's best. The Cardinals never had a losing season in Hickman's 23 seasons as head coach; prior to his arrival the program only had 11 in 33 seasons.[1] Coach Hickman led Louisville to their first championship on a national level by winning the NAIB in 1948.[2] In 1956, his team headed by All American Charlie Tyra won the NIT Championship.[3] At that time, the NIT was a tournament equal in prestige to the NCAA tournament.

From 1954 to 1967, Hickman doubled as head coach and athletic director, a position he would hold full time until his retirement in 1973. One of Hickman's last acts as athletic director was to hire UCLA assistant coach Denny Crum, who would lead the program to two NCAA titles and six final fours en route to the College Basketball hall of fame.

In 24 years, Hickman compiled a record of 443-183 (.708).

References

  1. ^ "Former Hoop Coach/AD Hickman Dies". University of Louisville Athletic Department. http://www.uoflsports.com/genrel/071900aad.html. Retrieved 27 December 2011. 
  2. ^ "NAIA DIVISION I MEN’S BASKETBALL". NAIA DIVISION I MEN’S BASKETBALL. NAIA. http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/naia/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2010RecordsUpdate4.pdf. Retrieved 27 December 2011. 
  3. ^ "NIT Postseason Tournament Results (1950's)". NIT Postseason Tournament Results (1950's). NCAA. http://www.ncaa.com/content/nit-postseason-history-1950s. Retrieved 27 December 2011.