Alexander Severance

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Alexander G. Severance Sr. (June 3, 1905 – April 1, 1985) was an American basketball and baseball coach. Born in New York City, Severance graduated from Villanova University in 1929 and received his J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law in 1932. In addition to coaching basketball for Villanova, Severance was a professor of business law at the university.

Alexander Severance
Severance at Villanova
Biographical details
Born(1905-06-03)June 3, 1905
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedApril 1, 1985(1985-04-01) (aged 79)
Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
Playing career
Basketball
1926–1929Villanova
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Basketball
1936–1961Villanova
Baseball
1944Villanova
Head coaching record
Overall413–201 (basketball)
4–1 (baseball)
TournamentsBasketball
4–4 (NCAA)
1–2 (NIT)

Severance coached the Villanova Wildcats men's basketball team for 25 seasons (1936–1961), compiling a 413–201 (.673) record. Among his former players is Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member Paul Arizin.[1] Severance coached his team to the first Final Four of the NCAA tournament in 1939. His teams also played in the NCAA Tournament in 1949 and 1955. Under his leadership, Villanova was selected for the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in 1959 and 1960.

Severance died on the morning of April 1, 1985, in Lexington, Kentucky, on the day Villanova won the 1985 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.[2] The championship game was played at Rupp Arena in Lexington.

Head coaching record

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Basketball

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Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Villanova Wildcats (Independent) (1936–1961)
1936–37 Villanova 15–8
1937–38 Villanova 25–5
1938–39 Villanova 20–5 NCAA Final Four
1939–40 Villanova 17–2
1940–41 Villanova 13–3
1941–42 Villanova 13–9
1942–43 Villanova 19–2
1943–44 Villanova 9–11
1944–45 Villanova 6–11
1945–46 Villanova 10–13
1946–47 Villanova 17–7
1947–48 Villanova 15–9
1948–49 Villanova 23–4 NCAA Elite Eight
1949–50 Villanova 25–4
1950–51 Villanova 25–7 NCAA first round
1951–52 Villanova 19–8
1952–53 Villanova 19–8
1953–54 Villanova 20–11
1954–55 Villanova 18–10 NCAA Sweet 16
1955–56 Villanova 14–12
1956–57 Villanova 10–15
1957–58 Villanova 12–11
1958–59 Villanova 18–7 NIT First Round
1959–60 Villanova 20–6 NIT Quarterfinal
1960–61 Villanova 11–13
Villanova: 413–201 (.673)
Total: 413–201 (.673)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Westcott, Rich (2001). A Century of Philadelphia Sports. Temple University Press p. 159. ISBN 978-1-5663-9861-9.
  2. ^ Nathan, David E. (April 1, 1985). "Alexander G. Severance, Villanova head basketball coach". United Press International. Retrieved November 15, 2019.