| Wins against Kentucky - 0 | Losses against Kentucky - 1 |
Alma Mater: Purdue [1926]
Date Born: December 20, 1904
Date Died: June 15, 1979
Overall Record: 201-142 [18 Seasons]
| Date | Matchup | UK Result | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/23/1949 | Kentucky at Purdue | W | 60 - 54 | - |
Obituary - Lafayette (IN) Journal and Courier (June 16, 1979)
Mel Taube, 1946-50, Purdue Coach, Dies
Purdue University's 12th basketball coach, Melvin "Mel" Taube, 74, died at 5:30 p.m. Friday in Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater, Fla. He had been ill since March.
Mr. Taube received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Purdue University and his doctorate degree in physical education from Indiana University.
He succeeded the legendary Ward "Piggy" Lambert as Purdue basketball coach in 1946, coaching five seasons, 1946-1950. His Purdue record was 52.-53.
Among the athletes coached by Taube at Purdue was current West Lafayette High School basketball coach Bill Berberian - "most valuable player" on Purdue's 1948 team.
After leaving Purdue in 1950, Mr. Taube went to Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., as basketball and baseball coach. In 1960 he was named athletic director and football coach, retiring in 1972. He then moved to Clearwater.
Surviving with the widow, Mrs. Helen Patrick Taube, is a daughter, Mrs. Ben (Ann) Mullens of Madison, Wis.
Friends commented late Friday on Mr. Taube's career in college sports.
Ray Eddy, who succeeded Mr. Taube at Purdue, said "The sports world has lost a very analytical mind. In coaching theory, he was one of the best in the country."
Bill Lamb, assistant purchasing agent at Purdue, noted that "Mel wasn't much of a talker, but he didn't hesitate to lay things on the line. He told it like it was. He'll be missed."
"Mel had an incisive offensive football mind ... the best I've ever known," said Carleton's Dean of Admissions Bill Huyck. "Hank Stram (Purdue graduate and former professional coach) used to have Mel come to camp every year to look at his team's backfield. Mel was gifted in three major sports - football, baseball and basketball. You don't find people like that too often."
"I am shocked," said Berberian. "I now feel fortunate that I talked to him by telephone this spring. He didn't indicate he was ill at that time. I have a lot to be thankful for because of Mel. He had a great influence on my life. He was a gentleman and an educator as a a coach. He always kept athletics on a high plane. He was a thinker in basketball who played rationally and tried to keep things stable."
