Former Indiana Coach Watson Dies At 88

Examiner, Jeff Curts

http://www.examiner.com/article/former-hoosiers-basketball-coach-lou-watson-passes

Former Indiana University basketball coach Lou Watson, who preceded Bob Knight in Bloomington and recruited such Hoosiers legends such as George McGinnis and Steve Downing, died Thursday at the age of 88 in Fairfax, Va.

Watson led the Hoosiers to a Big Ten title in 1967, but otherwise struggled in the won-loss category. IU could score with most of their conference foes, but they never played good defense to serve notice as a legitimate contender.

Prior to his collegiate career, Watson served in the Navy from 1943-46, participating in the Normandy invasion during World War II.

At IU, Watson helped the IU baseball team to the Big Ten title in 1948. He was also a starter all four years with the basketball team under coach Branch McCracken, earning first team All-Big Ten and All-American honors as a senior in 1950. Watson was also the team MVP as a junior and senior.

After his playing career was over, Watson coached freshmen basketball at IU in 1951 and ’52, enjoyed a short stint as a high school coach at Huntington and returned to Indiana to coach freshmen again in 1956 and ’57 before becoming an assistant coach in 1958 under McCracken.

Former Indiana Coach Watson Dies At 88

Examiner, Jeff Curts

http://www.examiner.com/article/former-hoosiers-basketball-coach-lou-watson-passes

Former Indiana University basketball coach Lou Watson, who preceded Bob Knight in Bloomington and recruited such Hoosiers legends such as George McGinnis and Steve Downing, died Thursday at the age of 88 in Fairfax, Va.

Watson led the Hoosiers to a Big Ten title in 1967, but otherwise struggled in the won-loss category. IU could score with most of their conference foes, but they never played good defense to serve notice as a legitimate contender.

Prior to his collegiate career, Watson served in the Navy from 1943-46, participating in the Normandy invasion during World War II.

At IU, Watson helped the IU baseball team to the Big Ten title in 1948. He was also a starter all four years with the basketball team under coach Branch McCracken, earning first team All-Big Ten and All-American honors as a senior in 1950. Watson was also the team MVP as a junior and senior.

After his playing career was over, Watson coached freshmen basketball at IU in 1951 and ’52, enjoyed a short stint as a high school coach at Huntington and returned to Indiana to coach freshmen again in 1956 and ’57 before becoming an assistant coach in 1958 under McCracken.