Jimmy Valvano

Guide Note:Jimmy Valvano was a natural at recruiting basketball talent, a great coach and a superb motivator. In his 10 seasons as the head basketball coach at North Carolina State University his teams would make eight NCAA Tournament appearances, including two trips to the Elite Eight, and winning a National Championship.

The 1983 National Championship victory, an upset win over the number one seeded University of Houston Cougars. This was the “Phi Slamma Jamma” team that included future Basketball Hall of Fame greats Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon, displayed Jimmy V’s passion for basketball and his abilities as a coach.

In 1989 allegations of misconduct and NCAA rules violations were made by members of the national media, a state appointed commission, the Poole Commission, would issue a report that concluded “Coach Valvano and his coaching staff circumvented rules in order to keep players eligible.” This resulted in Valvano being forced to resign his positions as Head Basketball Coach and Athletic Director.

A 1990 NCAA investigation would completely clear Valvano and NC State of any eligibility violations. This investigation did find that NC State players had improperly sold tickets and sneakers in violation of NCAA policy, but that this was done without the knowledge of Valvano or any member of the coaching staff.

Valvano elected to retire from coaching, declining numerous offers, and moved to a career as a highly respected basketball commentator and analyst for college basketball broadcasts.

In 1992 after being diagnosed with incurable bone cancer he, and his wife, formed the Jimmy V Foundation dedicated to help to find a cure for cancer.

On April 28, 1993 at the age of 47 he would lose his battle with cancer.

Fast Facts

1. Born: March 10, 1946
2. Full Name: James Thomas Anthony Valvano
3. Birthplace: New York City
4. Nickname: Jimmy V
5. His role model was Vince Lombardi
6. Died: April 28, 1993

Quotes

1. Cancer can take away all of my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart, and it cannot touch my soul.
2. Be a dreamer. If you don't know how to dream, you're dead.
3. Don't give up, don't ever give up.
4. My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.