J. Craig Ruby

J. Craig Ruby, (born 1896, died 1980) a former college basketball player and coach, had a successful career both on and off the court. Ruby, a two-time All-American and All-Missouri Valley Conference forward for the University of Missouri Tigers, took over the head coaching position of his alma-mater in 1920. After two years of being at the reins of the program and compiling a record of 33 wins and only 2 losses, Ruby was recruited by University of Illinois athletic director George Huff to take over the Fighting Illini’s men’s basketball coaching duties.

Beginning in 1922 and continuing on for the next 14 years, Ruby compiled a record of 148 wins and 95 losses. While playing in the Big Ten Conference, Ruby’s teams recorded 94 wins and 74 losses and won the conference championship 2 times. Ruby left the program in 1936 with coaching duties given to Douglas R. Mills.^[1]

Ruby and legendary Kansas coach Phog Allen actively campaigned together for higher baskets to offset the advantage of tall centers. He also advocated the elimination of the dribble to do away with stalling, and wanted the hoop enlarged to 20 inches in diameter rather than the standard 18.^[2] In 1930 Ruby served as the president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).^[3]

Ruby retired from coaching to pursue a career with the Kansas City based, Hallmark greeting card company at the age of 39, he died in 1980 at the age of 84.

Collegiate records

References