Sport(s) Basketball Name Alexander Severance 1926–1929 Villanova Role Basketball Player | 1936–1961 Villanova Education Villanova University Overall 413–201(.673) | |
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Born June 3, 1905
New York City, New York ( 1905-06-03 ) Tournaments NCAA: 4-4(.500)
NIT 1-2(.333) Died April 1, 1985, Lexington, Kentucky, United States | ||
Alexander G. Severance Sr. (June 3, 1905 – April 1, 1985) was a college men's basketball player and coach. Born in New York City, New York, Severance graduated from Villanova University in 1929 and received his J.D. from Temple University School of Law in 1932. In addition to coaching basketball for Villanova, Severance was a professor of business law at the university.
Severance coached the Villanova Wildcats for 25 seasons (1936–1961), compiling a 413-201 (.673) record. Among his former players is Hall of Fame member Paul Arizin. Severance coached his team to the first Final Four of the NCAA Tournament in 1939. His teams also played in the NCAA Tournament in 1949 and 1955. Under his leadership, Villanova was selected for the NIT in 1959 and 1960.
Severance died on the morning of April 1, 1985 in Lexington, Kentucky on the day Villanova won the 1985 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. The championship game was played at Rupp Arena in Lexington.