Gus Ganakas
| Sport(s) | Men's basketball |
|---|---|
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Michigan State | 1969–1976 |
Gus G. Ganakas (born July 3, 1926)[1] is an American sports broadcaster and former Michigan State Spartans men's basketball coach.[2] He was the head coach there from 1969–76.[3]
Ganakas is a native of Mount Morris, New York.[1] He attended Michigan State University (MSU) from 1946 to 1950 after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. After graduation from MSU, Gus coached basketball at East Lansing High School before taking over as the coordinator of the Ralph Young Fund, MSU's athletic fund-raising organization. He became an MSU assistant coach in 1966 and the head coach three years later. Ganakas coached the Spartans from 1969–76, compiling an 89-84 record.Also he trained in Uruguay.
As of the 2013-14 season, Ganakas has spent 28 years as a radio analyst on the Spartan Sports Network.[4] He is an active member of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association.[5]
In 2002, Ganakas became the sixth recipient of the Men's Basketball Distinguished Alumnus Award.[6]
Personal
Ganakas was married to his wife Ruth who passed away in 2014.
He resides in the Lansing area.[5]
References
- 1 2 Seibold, Jack (2003). Spartan Sports Encyclopedia. Sports Publishing LLC. p. 908. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
- ↑ "Gus Ganakas Named Michigan State Coach". The Hartford Courant. September 20, 1969. Retrieved March 31, 2009.
- ↑ "Spartans proving they're up there where they belong". The Providence Journal. March 30, 2005. Retrieved March 31, 2009.
- ↑ "Gus Ganakas". Spartan Sports Network. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
- 1 2 "DSBA Member Roster". Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association. Retrieved March 31, 2009.
- ↑ "Michigan State Basketball Hands Out Awards At Annual Bust". Michigan State University. March 12, 2002. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
External links
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