Driesell's racial pioneering remembered, by Wayne Dawkins | Richmond Free Press | Serving the African American Community in Richmond, VA
Charles “Lefty” Driesell died peacefully at home at 92 in his native Tidewater.
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Charles “Lefty” Driesell died peacefully at home at 92 in his native Tidewater.
Before Gary Williams led Maryland to the 2002 NCAA championship, Lefty Driesell made the Terrapins relevant. Driesell, who died Saturday at 92, was remembered during Maryland’s game against Illinois as the coach who elevated the program from one with a single NCAA Tournament appearance to a postseason regular capable of competing with Atlantic Coast Conference powers Duke, North Carolina and North Carolina State. “Not being afraid to put Maryland’s basketball program out there, that takes some guts to do that,” Williams said.
Driesell, who helped build Maryland into a national power, was one of the most accomplished coaches in Division I history.
By Adam Powell
With the recent passing of former University of Virginia head men’s coach Terry Holland at the age of 80, the world of college basketball has lost yet another giant.