| Wins against Kentucky - 0 | Losses against Kentucky - 3 |
Alma Mater: Pennsylvania [1953]
Hometown: Pottstown, PA
Date Born: October 14, 1930
Date Died: March 12, 2012
Overall Record: 296-195 [18 Seasons]
| Date | Matchup | UK Result | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/16/1972 | Oregon at Kentucky | W | 95 - 68 | UKIT Championship |
| 12/14/1968 | Kentucky at Pennsylvania | W | 102 - 78 | - |
| 12/9/1967 | Pennsylvania at Kentucky | W | 64 - 49 | - |
Obituary - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (March 15, 2012)
Ex-Basketball Coach Had Success at Penn, Penn State
by Cliff Brunt (Associated Press)
Dick Harter, a veteran National Basketball Association assistant who coached the University of Pennsylvania to two National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament appearances and was the Oregon coach when the Ducks ended UCLA's 98-game home winning streak, has died at the age of 81.
A spokesman for the Island Funeral Home in Hilton Head, S.C., said Mr. Harter died Monday at a community hospital. the cause of death was cancer, University of Pennsylvania athletic director Steve Bilsky, a co-captain on the 1971 Penn team, told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Penn team was undefeated until absorbing a 90-47 loss to Big Five rival Villanova in the NCAA East Regional Final.
Mr. Harter also coached Penn State University for five seasons, beginning in 1978, and compiled a 79-61 record with the Nittany Lions. He guided Penn State to a berth in the National Invitation Tournament in 1980, marking the Lions' first postseason appearance in 14 years.
Mr. Harter was the Charlotte Hornets' first head coach. He was also an assistant with the Indiana Pacers three times before retiring in 2010. He was the defensive coach under Larry Bird when the Pacers reached the NBA Finals in 2000. Before that, he assisted Chuck Daly in Detroit, Pat Riley with the New York Knicks and P.J. Carlesimo in Portland.
Through more than half a century, the man respectfully referred to as a "Sarge" by former Pacers president Donnie Walsh never lost the ability to connect with young players.
"He was a great coach, really a defensive-minded coach, and he taught us a lot," Pacers forward Danny Granger said in a statement from the team. "He was a tough coach, but a great guy to be around."
Mr. Harter knew much more than basketball.
"Among many things I loved about him was talking about current events and books, particularly World War II and Civil War books," Pacers assistant Dan Burke said. "He was always thirsty for knowledge and reading. And he loved college football, particularly Notre Dame."
Mr. Harter, who also coached at Rider, compiled a college record of 295-196 and two Ivy League championships with Penn.
In 1976, Mr. Harter led his Oregon team to UCLA's Pauley Pavilion, where the Bruins hadn't dropped a game since 1970. Oregon won, 65-45, making good on Mr. Harter's pledge to take on John Wooden's intimidating squad.
Mr. Harter was born and raised in Pottstown, Pa. A 1953 Penn graduate, he played there for future Detroit Piston general manager Jack McCloskey.
He returned to his alma mater as Mr. McCloskey's assistant in 1958, then in 1965, got his first head-coaching position, at Rider.
But when Mr. McCloskey left a season later for Wake Forest, his former pupil replaced him as Penn coach.
Mr. Harter's first three Penn teams went 11-14, 9-17 and 15-10 before the talent he had landed took hold. The 1969-70 Quakers were 25-1 before an NCAA tournament loss to Calvin Murphy's Niagara.
With a veteran unit returning in '71 - Mr. Bilsky, Jim Wolf, Dave Wohl, Corky Calhoun, and Bobby Morse - Penn won all 26 regular-season games, climbing to No. 3 in the nation. The Quakers defeated Duquesne in the NCAA tournament's first round, then a very good South Carolina team before succumbing to Villanova.
