Legendary Penn basketball coach Dick Harter dies at 81

The Penn basketball community is mourning the loss of one of its greatest leaders today. Former coach Dick Harter, who led the Quakers from 1966-71, died last night of cancer at his home in Hilton Head, S.C., according to the Eugene, Ore., Register Guard.

Harter, who played for Penn in the early 50s, led what is considered one of the greatest Penn and Philadelphia basketball teams of all time in 1970-71 (which was ranked 3rd in the nation), a team that included Penn Athletic Director Steve Bilsky, as well as Corky Calhoun and Dave Wohl. Harter led Penn to two Ivy titles, two Big 5 titles and two NCAA tournaments, including a trip to the East Regional Finals. He is a member of the Big 5 and Penn Halls of Fame.

“I was shocked to learn of the passing of Coach Harter," Bilsky said. "More than anyone else, he is the person most responsible for creating the great legacy of Penn basketball. He will be greatly missed. Our condolences go out to Mary and Coach Harter's children.”

He went on to coach at Oregon before moving to the NBA where he was an assistant for a half-dozen teams.

Here are some more stories on the coaching legend:

Philadelphia Inquirer: Former Penn coach Harter dies at 81

Penn Gazette: Feature on 1970-71 team and Harter

NBA.com: Dick Harter, Inaugural coach of Hornets, dies at 81