| Wins against Kentucky - 0 | Losses against Kentucky - 1 |
Alma Mater: Oregon State [1942]
Hometown: Mill Valley, CA
Date Born: September 10, 1920
Date Died: September 13, 2014
Overall Record: 91-82 [7 Seasons]
| Date | Matchup | UK Result | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/22/1966 | Oregon State at Kentucky | W | 96 - 66 | UKIT |
Obituary - Albany (OR) Democrat-Herald (October 19, 2014)
A Life to Remember
Paul Valenti's Influence Impacted many Lives On and Off the Court
by Kevin Hampton
CORVALLIS - Paul Valenti left a lasting imprint on the many people he encountered throughout his life and long association with Oregon State University.
Some of those people gathered in Gill Coliseum on Saturday afternoon to share their memories of Valenti, who died in September at age 94.
If anyone in the crowd was unaware of Valenti's background, a short video narrated by Mike Parker filled them in.
Valenti played basketball for the Beavers under coach Slats Gill from 1939 to 1942, joined the Navy and spent three-and-a-half years on an aircraft carrier in the South Pacific, then returned to OSU as an assistant coach for 18 years. He eventually became head coach for six seasons and led the 1965-66 team to the conference title and the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament.
After resigning in 1970, Valenti stayed at OSU and served in a variety of capacities. He was also the tennis coach for four years.
After the video, several speakers had their turn on the stage or made appearances via video.
Some had funny stories, others spoke of Valenti's impact or personal faith.
Former OSU basketball coach Jimmy Anderson talked on video about how closely intertwined his family was with Valenti's.
There were former OSU basketball players who learned how to handle themselves on and off the court from Valenti.
Mel Counts, Vic Batolome, Jay Carty and Charlie White all had a few minutes.
Carty talked to Valenti's foot stomp, sock pull move as a coach. He'd pull up his socks and stomp when he didn't like a call.
Carty was also present when Valenti decided to get baptized and then went and got it done in the corner of the Timberhill Athletic Club's pool.
White said he met Valenti 60 years ago and said he promised White that he would graduate if he came to Oregon State.
White knew it wasn't binding, but he came to Corvallis and got his degree.
"It did happen," White said.
White and Valenti wound up staying in touch for the next 50 years.
White was able to make the trip to Corvallis and attended OSU's football game against Utah on Thursday night. He was surprised at how much Corvallis has grown.
"I enjoyed it. I enjoyed seeing some of my old friends and just remembering Paul is always a good thing for me because we talked so much all the time on the phone," White said. "Just seeing his family, all of that. It was really nice. I really enjoyed seeing the people."
Friends and family members also shared their thoughts on Valenti's life.
The recounted stories of Valenti's tennis and racquetball battles that at least once ended with some teeth getting knocked out.
Wayne Tinkle, who is entering his first season at OSU as the men's basketball coach, was on hand with members of the current team.
Tinkle said it was important for the team to be at the ceremony so that they could learn about Valenti's part in the history of OSU.
"Because accountability's a huge thing in our program," Tinkle said. "So for us to kind of appreciate all that's gone before us and have respect for the opportunity that we have currently because of those guys."
"This is going to carry a lot forward as far as learning lessons, point back, looking at the way things have been done of the same kind of passion and integrity that they saw through so many testimonials today, I think will have a big impact."
The coaches met a few times in person and they were able to share some stories. Tinkle said Valenti reminded him of his father.
Their time together was brief, but the imprint was left.
"I'm going to be able to take away some of those same things: His dedication and commitment to Oregon State, to the community and to his family," Tinkle said.
