Harry Gallatin, enshrined as a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991, has passed away at the age of 88.
“Mr. Gallatin will be remembered as one of the hardest working men in sports, as evidenced by his nickname ‘Horse’ and his countless accomplishments at both the collegiate and professional level,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “His work ethic, coupled with his desire to help others, will have a long lasting impression on the lives he touched, specifically in his 25 years at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He will truly be missed by the basketball community.”
Harry Gallatin was a standout player at Truman State before being drafted to the NBA’s New York Knicks in 1948. Gallatin played nine of his ten seasons with the New York Knicks, was an All-NBA First-Team selection in 1954, and was a seven-time NBA All-Star. Known mostly for his rebounding abilities, he led the league in 1954. Gallatin also set an NBA record for consecutive games played with 682. Upon retirement, Gallatin coached in the NBA for four years earning Coach of the Year honors with the St. Louis Hawks in 1963. From 1967 to 1992, Gallatin served as an athletic director, basketball coach, golf coach and physical education instructor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.