Ed Jucker

Edwin Louis "Ed" Jucker (July 8, 1916 in Norwood, Ohio - February 2, 2002 in Callawassie Island, South Carolina) was the former head coach of the University of Cincinnati college basketball team. Under Jucker's direction, UC won back-to-back NCAA basketball championships in 1961 and 1962. He holds the record for the highest winning percentage (.917) in NCAA tournment play and almost won a then-unprecedented thrid straight title in 1963 when UC lost in overtime to Loyola of Chicago.

Related Topics:
July 8 - 1916 - Norwood - Ohio - February 2 - 2002 - Callawassie Island - South Carolina - University of Cincinnati - College basketball - NCAA basketball championships - 1961 - 1962 - 1963 - Loyola - Chicago

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Jucker, a professional baseball prospect, decided to start coaching instead of trying to make it into Major League Baseball. His coaching career began at Batavia High in Cincinnati, Ohio. Following service in the Navy during World War II, he joined the college coaching ranks as assistant basketball coach at the Merchant Marine Academy in 1946. Two years later, he became head basketball coach at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Related Topics:
Baseball - Major League Baseball - Batavia High - Cincinnati - Navy - World War II - Merchant Marine Academy - 1946 - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

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Jucker returned to Cincinnati in 1953 as assistant basketball coach and baseball mentor. He directed the UC freshman to a 67-21 record in six years as the freshmen team coach while his baseball teams were 87-39 over seven years.

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In 1954, Jucker recruited and coached Sandy Koufax at UC. After watching Koufax in his first practice, Jucker got him a work-study scholarship.

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1954 - Sandy Koufax

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Jucker left UC after the 1965 season and in 1967 he joined the Cincinnati Royals coaching staff. He then went to Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida where he built the school's basketball program into a national contender in NCAA Division II.

Related Topics:
1965 - 1967 - Cincinnati Royals - Rollins College - Winter Park - Florida - NCAA Division II

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