Springfield, Mass. – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is deeply saddened to mark the loss of legendary NCAA Coach Pete Carril who has passed away at the age of 92. Mr. Carril was enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997 for his achievements as a coach.
“The Basketball Hall of Fame is honored to celebrate the legacy of the great Pete Carril,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “Pete will be remembered for his leadership of the Princeton Tigers for 29 seasons, creating the infamous “Princeton Offense” and challenging big named opponents -- but more importantly he will be remembered for his character. Coach Carril led with honesty, compassion, and a demand for excellence, and his legacy will forever be imprinted on those he’s coached and inspired.”
The Basketball Hall of Fame will continue to celebrate Pete Carril’s life throughout the month of August and into September during the annual Enshrinement Weekend. Fans are encouraged to visit the Hall of Fame to learn more about Carril and his life. Carril is recognized in the Hall of Honor, where his story will forever be celebrated.
Carril’s accomplishments included leading Princeton to 11 Ivy League Championships, earning 13 postseason tournament bids, and 11 NCAA Tournament berths. In 1975, Carril led Princeton to the National Invitation Tournament championship. In 1996, more than twenty years later, Princeton upset UCLA in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. When he retired in 1997, Carril was the only Division I coach to record 500 wins without the luxury of athletic scholarships.
About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame Museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame Museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum and events, visit www.hoophall.com, follow @hoophall @hoophallclassic or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.