Sport(s) | Basketball |
---|---|
Biographical details | |
Born |
Bronx, New York |
April 24, 1921
Died | October 21, 2005 Sewell, New Jersey |
(aged 84)
Playing career | |
1940–1942 | St. John's |
1945–1947 | Columbia |
Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
1950–1958 | Columbia |
1958–1971 | NYU |
1975–1979 | St. Francis |
Head coaching record | |
Overall | 357–256 |
Lucio "Lou" Rossini (April 24, 1921 – October 21, 2005) was an American college basketball coach. He compiled a 357–256 record in almost 20 years of coaching, most notably with New York University (NYU).
In Rossini's first year as head coach with Columbia University, he guided them to a 21–1 record and an appearance in the 1951 NCAA Basketball Tournament. After Columbia, Rossini coached at NYU, leading them to three NCAA Tournament appearances and four National Invitation Tournament (NIT) bids in 13 seasons. Rossini last coached in the NCAA for St. Francis College in Brooklyn, from 1975 to 1979, and had a 55–48 record. He also coached the Puerto Rican national team in the 1964 and 1968 Olympics and the Qatar national team in the 1980s.
Two of his best players at NYU were Happy Hairston and Barry Kramer, who starred on the 1963 and 1964 teams. Hairston and Kramer advanced to professional careers. He also coached Puerto Rico's national team at the 1964 and 1968 Olympics.
Rossini died at his home in the Sewell section of Mantua Township, New Jersey, aged 84. The cause of death was Alzheimer's disease.
National champion Postseason invitational champion
Conference regular season champion Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
Division regular season champion Division regular season and conference tournament champion
Conference tournament champion