Sport(s) Basketball Name Sam Williams Overall 244–164 (0.598) | 1958–1973 Texas–Pan American 195?–1958 McAllen HS | |
Died October 22, 2012(2012-10-22) (aged 88)
McAllen, Texas | ||
Walter "Sam" Williams (June 29, 1924 – October 22, 2012) was an American college basketball coach. He is considered an early pioneer of racial integration in the college game and is the University of Texas–Pan American's all-time leader in wins (244), including its only men's basketball national championship in 1962–63. Williams is referred to as the "Father of Broncs Basketball" at Texas Pan–American. He oversaw the school's transition from a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) program into a NCAA Division I program. During his 15 year tenure, he had 11 winning seasons, 4 20-win seasons, and 244 total victories.
The UTPA Fieldhouse, where the team plays their home games, had its center court rededicated to Williams on November 20, 2010. He was also named head coach emeritus, becoming just the second former coach at Texas Pan–American to earn that honor (baseball coach Al Ogletree was the first).
Williams died on October 22, 2012, from natural causes.