Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Wake Forest Hoops Coach Dead at 56

Prosser steered Demon Deacons to unprecedented heights

By Joseph Fasano,  Newser User

Posted Jul 27, 2007 7:55 AM CDT

(Newser) – Wake Forest basketball coach Skip Prosser, who led the Demon Deacons to their only top national ranking, died in his office yesterday after apparently suffering a heart attack. The 56-year-old collapsed and couldn't be resuscitated, the News and Observer reports. Praise flowed for the witty, literate Prosser, beloved for his role as a teacher as much as his on-court success.

"It is hard to imagine this community without him," university president Nathan O. Hatch said. "He was an infectious learner and teacher on and off the court." "He was like a father figure to me and other guys on the team," ex-player Justin Gray told the Charlotte Observer. "He wanted to bring us along as young men the right way."

Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser argues a call during the first half of a basketball game against Georgia Tech in Winston-Salem, N.C., in a Wednesday March 2, 2005 photo.  Wake Forest men's basketball coach Skip Prosser died Thursday, July 26, 2007 the university said. He was 56.(AP Photo/Chuck...
Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser argues a call during the first half of a basketball game against Georgia Tech in Winston-Salem, N.C., in a Wednesday March 2, 2005 photo. Wake Forest men's basketball coach...   (Associated Press)
Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser smiles in a Wednesday, March 16, 2005 photo, during the practice in Cleveland.  Wake Forest men's basketball coach Skip Prosser died Thursday, July 26, 2007 the university said. He was 56.(AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, file)
Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser smiles in a Wednesday, March 16, 2005 photo, during the practice in Cleveland. Wake Forest men's basketball coach Skip Prosser died Thursday, July 26, 2007 the university...   (Associated Press)
Wake Forest head coach Skip Prosser watches his team play a first round game of the Men's Atlantic Coast Conference basketball tournament against Georgia Tech in Tampa, Fla., in a Thursday, March 8, 2007 photo. Wake Forest men's basketball coach Skip Prosser died Thursday, July 26, 2007 the university said....
Wake Forest head coach Skip Prosser watches his team play a first round game of the Men's Atlantic Coast Conference basketball tournament against Georgia Tech in Tampa, Fla., in a Thursday, March 8, 2007...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

'Macho Man' Randy Savage Killed in Car Accident

7-Foot, 7-Inch NBA Legend Manute Bol Dead at 47

Michael Jackson Dead at 50

Hoops Coach Newell 'Simply the Best There Ever Was'

Buffalo Boy Made Good


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne