LEGENDARY BASKETBALL COACH JERRY TARKANIAN PASSES AWAY
Wednesday, February 11th, 2015
http://asbarez.com/1...an-passes-away/
LAS VEGAS--Legendary Armenian-American college basketball coach Jerry
"The Shark" Tarkanian has died at the age of 84. Tarkanian's son,
Danny Tarkanian, broke the news to his Twitter followers earlier today.
According to SI.com, Tarkanian was taken to Valley Hospital Medical
Center by ambulance on Monday, after being unresponsive when doctors
attempted to get his blood pressure elevated. It was reported
on Tuesday that Tarkanian was in critical condition, battling an
undisclosed type of infection
Danny Tarkanian's tweet announcing his father's passing
Tarkanian was hospitalized last November after being treated for
pneumonia. In April 2014, he had spent over a week in the hospital
after having a second heart attack.
Tarkanian boasted a 761-202 record in 30 seasons as a college
basketball head coach with Long Beach State, University of Nevada,
Las Begas (UNLV), and Fresno State. He retired in 2002.
Tarkanian coached his teams to 18 NCAA tournament appearances and four
Final Fours. He led the UNLV Rebels to the NCAA championship in 1990.
In November 2013, The Armenian National Committee of America-Western
Region honored Tarkanian with its "People's Champion" Award.
In introducing Tarkanian, ANCA-WR Board member Steve Artinian recounted
the life and legacy of the famous and revered coach, who had taken
his UNLV teams to four Final Four Regional Championships, as well as a
NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship. Many of the attendees,
both young and old, grew up watching Tarkanian on National TV as he
led his teams to various victories.
In what was likely the night's most emotional acceptance speech,
Tarkanian thanked the ANCA and his fellow Armenian people for
recognizing him with the esteemed honor.
Tarkanian's acceptance speech during his Basketball Hall of Fame
Induction in September 2013 garnered even more widespread support
for the coach, who reminded the world of the life of struggle his
immigrant Armenian parents endured, both of whom fled their homeland
on horseback with nothing but the clothes on their back escaping the
Armenian Genocide.