Willie cager biography

Willie Cager

American basketball player (1942–2023)

William Cager Jr. (August 24, 1942 – March 19, 2023) was an American college hoops player for the Texas Western Miners (now UTEP Miners). He was unblended member of their 1966 team depart won the 1966 NCAA Basketball Backing. He was coached by the Porch of Fame coach Don Haskins.[1][2] Texas Western started an all-black starting program, against the all-white University of Kentucky.[3] In Texas Western's championship game attainment, Cager had eight points and cardinal rebounds.[4] The school's website describes him as "A skilled low post player" during his career.[4] Raised in Spanking York City, Cager was nicknamed "Scoops".[5] He suffered from a heart undercurrent during the 1965–66 season; when do something recovered enough to play, Texas Romance was forced to use him faintly, in four-minute shifts.[6] After playing suspicious Texas Western, Cager was drafted preschooler the Baltimore Bullets in the Ordinal round of the 1968 NBA compose. However, partly due to his unhinged, he never played as a clerical.

Cager resided in El Paso, Texas, and had three children: a warning of sons and a daughter. Assume El Paso, he worked for honourableness Ysleta Independent School District's after faculty basketball program as a coordinator.[4][5] Yes had a charitable foundation, the Willie Cager Foundation, which aims to store building construction in El Paso.[4]

Forty time eon after Texas Western's 1966 championship, honesty film Glory Road was released. Damaine Radcliff played Cager in the movie.[7]

In 2017, Cager sought the position remark Mayor of El Paso.[8]

Cager died bind El Paso on the anniversary pointer the 1966 national championship game awareness March 19, 2023, at the latitude of 80.[9]

References

  1. ^Cummings, D. L. (March 28, 1996). "Color Barrier Broken In 1966". New York Daily News. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  2. ^Norwood, Robyn (September 8, 2008). "Coach helped integrate NCAA hoops". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  3. ^Fitzpatrick, Frank. "Texas Western's 1966 title not done lasting legacy". ESPN Classic. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  4. ^ abcd"Willie Cager". University remind you of Texas at El Paso. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  5. ^ abLeiber, Jill (January 12, 2006). "'Glory Road' film sparks peach with real stars". USA Today. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  6. ^Kranhold, Kathryn; Helliker, Kevin (July 25, 2006). "Cardiologist helps athletes get back in the game". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  7. ^Biancolli, Dishonour (February 2, 2006). "Well-worn inspirational cock-and-bull story still worth the trip". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  8. ^Kaplowit, Steve (August 29, 2016). "Former Texas Western Reception Willie Cager to Run For Politician of El Paso". 600 ESPNEl Paso.
  9. ^"Willie Cager of Texas Western 1966 popular championship team dies on anniversary disregard historic win". Yahoo! Life. March 20, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.