Temple University Athletics
TEMPLE MOURNS THE PASSING OF BASKETBALL GREAT BILL "PICKLES" KENNEDY
9.1.06 | Men's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA -- The Temple University community mourns the passing of two-sport All-America Bill "Pickles" Kennedy. Mr. Kennedy, 68, was killed in an automobile accident Thursday morning (August 31) in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Mr. Kennedy, a member of both the Temple University and Philadelphia Big 5 Hall of Fames, came to Temple originally on a football scholarship, but found a home with both the men's basketball and baseball teams, earning All-America honors in both sports. The Philadelphia native, who starred at Lincoln High School ('56), broke onto the college basketball scene as a sophomore when he teamed in the backcourt with legendary guard Guy Rodgers to lead the Owls to the 1958 NCAA Final Four.
Mr. Kennedy, who would finish his basketball career at Temple ranked fourth on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,468 points (currently ranks 18th), averaged double figures in points all three seasons he played at Temple. In his All-America senior season (1959-60), he averaged a career-high 22.2 points and was named the recipient of the Robert V. Geasey award as the Big 5's Most Valuable Player.
"Pickles was one of our most coveted and greatest players. He played at a time when Harry (Litwack) was a master of teaching and developing great guards," said former Temple head coach John Chaney "I admired him as one of the great cornerstones and pillars of our program for so many years. As far as great guard he was certainly at the top of the list."
"I remember Pickles fondly from my days of watching him play at The Palestra and listening to those games on radio," added Temple men's basketball coach Fran Dunphy. "His name was magical, and will live on in Temple basketball lore."
Longtime friend Jack Boyle recalls a story about Mr. Kennedy during his senior season. "Following Temple's game at Kentucky, Adolph Rupp gave Pickles an award for his play against Kentucky during the course of his career. And as a joke he was also given a jar of Pickles. Pickles, who had a real sense of humor, said 'I wish my mother had named me Cadillac."
As a baseball player, Mr. Kennedy was a standout centerfielder, batting.414 for his junior season. As a senior he earned First Team All-America honors, leading the Owls to a 16-5 overall record in Hall of Fame head coach Skip Wilson's first season at the helm.
Mr. Kennedy signed a free agent baseball contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates upon graduation. He also was a second round pick in the 1960 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia Warriors, and played with the team during the 1960-61 season.
Following his athletic playing days, he started a professional career, first as a school teacher in the Philadelphia Public School system. He later formed a company, Excess Systems, Inc., with a friend, Paul McMullin.
Mr. Kennedy is survived by his wife Carol, daughter Kimberly (Moffait) and her husband, Peter; son Bill, Jr.; daughter Kristen (Ramos), her husband, Michael; and daughter Kelli (New) and her husband, Eric; and three grandchildren, Mike and Amanda Ramos and Jake New.
The family is planning a memorial service during the second week of September in Ambler, Pa.
