Temple University Athletics
Retired Temple Coach Litwack Passes Away At Age 91
8.7.99 | Men's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA, PA (Aug. 7, 1999) -- Retired Temple University Basketball Coach Harry "The Chief" Litwack, a legend in Philadelphia basketball history, died at his home Saturday (August 7, 1999). He was 91 and lived in Huntingdon Valley, Pa. Litwack, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, guided the Owl fortunes from 1952-73.
Statement from Temple President Peter J. Liacouras:
"The death of Harry Litwack reminds us of his permanence as a Temple University and sports legend -- one of the handful of personalities who shaped a sport and an institution from adolescence into full blown maturity.
"He was a technical perfectionist with personal integrity. He was tremendously successful despite limited means, and he never lost sight of the student-athletes' well being.
"Beyond the legend, Coach Litwack was a gentleman who always found time to advise and counsel others, including me, in periods of stress.
"We are honored to have the Litwack-Chaney circle in the basketball court at The Apollo of Temple, and we expect that his name will soon be hoisted permanently above the court for future generations to wonder and learn of the greatness of the man we called 'The Chief'."
Litwack played for the Owls for three seasons from 1927-29, twice being named team captain. He was the freshman team coach and assistant varsity coach for 20 years before taking over the Temple program in 1952. Over the next 21-years he compiled a 373-193 mark, taking the Owls to 13 postseason tournaments.
He brought Temple a 1969 NIT Championship when the Owls defeated Boston College, 89-76, at Madison Square Garden. In addition, he twice led the Owls to the NCAA Final Four in 1956 and 1958, finishing third both times. In 1969, he brought Temple its first victory at McGonigle Hall and was on hand in 1997 when the Owls played their final home game there.
Litwack who retired from coaching in 1973 was inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975 and is the only Owl representative. Litwack's 373 victories is second all-time in Temple hoops history after being surpassed last season by John Chaney's (1982-present) 380 victories.
NOTE: Funeral services will held Monday, August 9 at 1:00 p.m. at Goldsteins' Rosenberg's Raphael-Sacks, 310 Second Street Pike, Southampton, Pa.
