The Coach, The Icon: George Raveling Dies

George Raveling, a groundbreaking college basketball coach who was the first black head coach in both the Pacific-8 and Big Ten Conferences, has died at 88. His life was defined by more than just wins; he stood on the podium with Martin Luther King Jr. during the “I Have a Dream” speech and later helped convince Michael Jordan to sign a historic deal with Nike. He was a true pioneer whose legacy stretches from the basketball court to the highest echelons of sports marketing and American history.

George Raveling Dies at 88: A Basketball Legend Who Changed Sports History

The sports world lost a giant, George Henry Raveling, the trailblazing basketball coach who broke barriers and helped shape modern sports marketing, died at 88 after battling cancer. He was a successful college coach, but there is so much more to his story.

George Raveling Broke Down Walls

In 1972, Raveling became the first black head coach in the Pacific-8 Conference when Washington State hired him. At Washington State, he turned a dormant program into something special. The Cougars hadn’t sniffed the NCAA Tournament in nearly four decades. Under his guidance, they made it twice – in 1980 and 1983. His 11-season record of 167-136 tells only part of the story. He was building something bigger than wins and losses.

The man could coach. Three Pac-10 Coach of the Year awards and a national coaching honor in 1992 do not lie. His teams at Washington State, Iowa, and USC combined for a 336-292 record over 22 seasons, with six NCAA Tournament appearances.

The March On Washington Moment That Defined History

But here’s where Raveling’s story gets extraordinary. Picture this: August 1963, a 26-year-old assistant coach at Villanova convinces event organizers to let him work security at the March on Washington. Standing 6-foot-4, he was hard to miss on that podium next to Dr. King. When King finished delivering his “I Have a Dream” speech, something magical happened. As King folded his notes and walked away, Raveling’s curiosity took over.

“Dr. King, can I have that copy?” he asked impulsively. King turned and handed him the papers. Just like that, Raveling walked away with history in his hands. For 25 years, he kept that secret locked away. Not even his wife knew. It wasn’t until 1983, when he became Iowa’s coach and the first black head coach in the Big Ten, that he revealed his treasure.

Million-dollar offers came rolling in. Raveling turned them all down. Instead, he donated the speech to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. 

The Nike Connection That Changed Everything

After retiring from coaching, Raveling landed at Nike as their Global Basketball Sports Marketing Director. This is where his story intersects with basketball immortality. A conversation with Michael Jordan led to a deal with Nike that included a 5% royalty on every pair of Air Jordans sold. It has earned Jordan over $1.5 billion. The Jordan Brand alone generates billions in revenue annually. Actor Marlon Wayans portrayed Raveling in the 2023 film “Air,” bringing his crucial role in the Jordan-Nike partnership to mainstream audiences..

Remembering a True Pioneer

Raveling served as an assistant coach on the 1984 U.S. Olympic team that won gold, working alongside legends while quietly influencing the next generation of basketball greatness. His coaching career ended too soon after that 1994 car accident in Los Angeles left him in intensive care, but his impact continued growing.

His family’s statement captured what made Raveling special: “Beyond accolades, he remained a lifelong learner and a kid, beautiful soul — always finding ways to pour into others and inspire the next generation.”

The basketball world mourns a giant. Raveling didn’t just coach games; he changed them. He didn’t just witness history; he helped write it. From that podium in Washington, D.C. to the boardrooms at Nike, Raveling understood that sports could be a vehicle for something greater.