Tuesday, February 6,
2001
Ted O'Leary, a Kansas
University men's
basketball All-American in1932, died on Sunday night in Kansas City, Mo.
O'Leary,
who turned 90 in December, was believed to be KU's oldest living former
All-American. He was the oldest former letter winner to attend the 100th reunion
of Kansas basketball in 1998.
O'Leary
played for Phog Allen and lettered three years (1930-32). He played on two
conference championship teams (1931-32), was a co-captain, and earned
all-conference and All-America honors in 1932. He led the Jayhawks and the
conference in scoring with an 11.0 average in 1932.
Following
graduation, O'Leary served as head basketball coach at George Washington
University for two seasons (1932-34).
O'Leary
later was a writer for the Kansas City Star and for Sports Illustrated. He was
also an accomplished handball player and was named to the National Handball Hall
of Fame.
O'Leary
is one of the few former players who had the distinction of knowing every head
basketball coach in KU history, from Dr. James Naismith to Roy Williams.
Bill
Mayer, Journal-World contributing editor, was a longtime acquaintance of
O'Leary.
"Ted
was a sensational athlete — basketball, handball, tennis — and had one of
the fiercest competitive spirits you ever saw. He refused to accept
defeat," Mayer said. "But he was so much more than that. Ted was an
amazing intellectual with an incredible range of interests."
Kansas
University athletics director Bob Frederick called O'Leary "a great
gentleman."
"He
obviously lived 90 really productive years," Frederick added. "It was
great to be around a person who knew James Naismith. He's maybe one of the last
individuals around now that knew Dr. Naismith. We will all miss him
greatly."
Funeral
arrangements are pending.
Source: KU Sports