Who Was George Raveling?

Who Was George Raveling?

• Legendary Coach: Raveling made history as the first Black head coach in the Pac‑8 (now Pac‑12) when he led Washington State University (1972–1983), taking the Cougars to NCAA tournament appearances in 1980 and 1983 CougCenterThe Times of IndiaWikipedia.

• Beyond the Court: He also led the University of Iowa (1983–1986) and USC (1986–1994), and served as an assistant coach for the U.S. Olympic basketball team—helping secure gold in 1984 and bronze in 1988 CougCenterHawkeyes AthleticsWikipedia.

• Hall of Fame Honors: Inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, Raveling’s influence on the game was widely celebrated CougCenterWikipediaThe Times of India.

As Nike’s Marketing Visionary

• After stepping away from coaching, he became Nike’s global basketball sports marketing director (1994 to 2025). In that role, he was instrumental in guiding Michael Jordan’s landmark endorsement with Nike, a deal that ultimately transformed the sports marketing landscape and led to the creation of the iconic Air Jordan brand The SunThe Times of India+1WikipediaThe Washington Post.

An Extraordinary Legacy Beyond Sports

• Raveling was deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement. He volunteered for security at the 1963 March on Washington, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. handed him the original “I Have a Dream” speech—a document he safeguarded and ultimately entrusted to Villanova University and the Smithsonian in 2021 CougCenterWikipediaVillanova University.

His Final Moments

• Raveling passed away on September 1, 2025, at the age of 88, after a battle with cancer, surrounded by family. His passing was publicly announced on September 2, 2025 The Times of IndiaCougCenterVillanova UniversityWikipedia.

In Summary

George Raveling’s life was a tapestry of profound achievements: he broke barriers as a coach, shaped global sports marketing, and preserved a pivotal piece of civil rights history. His legacy is one of mentorship, integrity, and inspiration—not just in athletics, but in culture and society at large.