Legendary University of Bridgeport Men's Basketball Coach Bruce Webster Passes Away

Bridgeport, Conn.-The University of Bridgeport mourns the death of long-time and legendary head men's basketball coach Bruce Webster, who passed away  at the age of 80 on Wednesday, April 26, 2017.

Webster, who came to Bridgeport after working as an assistant coach at Rutgers University, served as the Purple Knights' head men's basketball coach for 34 seasons, from the 1965-66 campaign through the 1998-99 season. During his tenure, his teams posted 549 wins, making him the school's all-time leader in career victories.

Under his direction, the Purple Knights made a total of 12 NCAA National Tournament appearances (1968, 1972, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992), won five NCAA Regional Titles (1976, 1979, 1990, 1991, 1992) and reached the NCAA Division II National Championship Game in 1991 and 1992.

Stated University of Bridgeport Director of Athletics Anthony Vitti, "Our deepest sympathies go out to Coach Webster's family and friends, including all of his former players who he had a special bond with.  Our current athletic program is built on the success of those who were here before us like Coach Webster.  He put a winning men's basketball program together and represented the University of Bridgeport with dignity and class throughout his storied career.  He was and will always be a UB legend."

His family echoed Vitti's sentiments saying, "Coaching at the University of Bridgeport was not Dad's job; it was his life.  His connection to UB is an extension of our father and of our family."

A 1959 graduate of Rutgers University, where he played basketball, baseball and football, Webster brought international notoriety to UB during the 1984-85 season when he recruited a 7-foot, 7-inch native of the Sudan, Manute Bol, to come to the Park City and play for the Purple Knights.  During that season, the Purple Knights were a must-see and the talk of the entire college basketball community, as Bol, prior to his career in the National Basketball Association, helped Bridgeport post a 26-6 record and reach the NCAA Northeast Regional Finals.

In recognition of Webster's tremendous contributions to the basketball program, the University named the playing court in Hubbell Gymnasium in his honor in February of 2005.

"The name Bruce Webster is synonymous with excellence on the basketball court," stated current UB men's basketball Head Coach Mike Ruane.  "Our program aspires to the heights his teams reached, especially from 1989-1992 when they appeared in the Division II Finals twice.  When you think of UB basketball, you think of Bruce Webster.  It's was a privilege to get to know him and be inspired by his example. Prayers to his family and friends from the Purple Knights' Men's Basketball family."

In 1976, 1979, and 1992, Webster was named the Northeast District Coach of the Year, one of only two coaches to win the award three times. In 1992, he was cited as the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division II Coach of the Year, and he also won a silver medal as an assistant to Mike Jarvis at the 1991 United States Olympic Festival.

He has been inducted into several Hall of Fames including the New England Basketball Hall of Fame (2003), the University of Bridgeport Athletics Hall of Fame (2006) and the Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame (2007).

A memorial gathering celebrating Coach Webster's life will be held at Abriola Parkview Funeral Home (419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, Conn. 06611) on Saturday, May 6th from 5-8 p.m.  The Time of Remembrance will begin at 6:30 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org) would be greatly appreciated.

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