Coaching Great Stan Watts to be Honored Saturday

PROVO -- BYU athletics will honor the late Stan Watts at halftime of Saturday’s men’s basketball game vs. Wyoming with a special ceremony. Watts coached the Cougar men’s basketball team from 1949 to 1972 and is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

As part of the ceremony, a banner acknowledging Watts’ membership in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame will be unveiled. BYU athletics will also present a piece of the original Marriott Center floor to Watts’ children and other members of his family. Several of Watts’ former players will also be in attendance.

During his 23 years at the helm of BYU basketball, Watts led his teams to two NIT National Championships in 1951 and 1966, led the Cougars to seven NCAA Tournament appearances and six 20-win seasons.

His nationally recognized accomplishments led to his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., on March 6, 1986, making him the first Cougar to receive this prestigious honor. Watts finished his career after the 1971-72 season with an overall record of 371 wins and 254 losses.

Known for his fast-break style of offense, Watts remained an avid Cougar fan following his retirement. He once said, “It has always been our contention that the average basketball fan likes to see fast-scoring, speedy, exciting basketball.”

In addition to coaching the Cougars, Watts chaired the U.S. Olympic Basketball Committee in 1976. He also served four years as BYU’s athletic director and spent time on the Cougar football and baseball coaching staffs.

Coach Watts passed away April 6, 2000 at the age of 88.