Work Samples 2009-10 LIU Brooklyn Basketball Media Guide | Page 66

Record Book Clair Francis Bee (1896-1983) Clair Bee coached basketball at Long Island University and Rider University for a total of 21 years, compiling a career record of 412-87. His .826 winning percentage is the highest of any coach in NCAA history. In 18 seasons at LIU he posted a 36080 mark, including undefeated seasons in 1935-36 (25-0) and 1938-39 (23-0). In seven postseason trips to the NIT he led the Blackbirds to championships in 1939 and 1941. The Grafton, W. Va., native remains the fastest coach in Division I history to reach 200 and 300 wins. A devoted teacher of the game, he also helped LIU post a 43-game winning streak, which was an NCAA record at the time. By the time he left coaching in the 1950’s, Bee had already begun writing the Chip Hilton series, which is considered the top sports ?ction series ever written. In 1967, he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Spring?eld, Mass., but his coaching in?uence remains intact today. He is credited with developing the 1-3-1 zone defense, the three-second rule and advocating the adoption of the NBA’s 24-second shot clock. In February 2000, he was inducted with the inaugural class of the LIU Athletics Hall of Fame. His daughter, Cindy Farley, was on hand to accept the honor posthumously for him. The Buzz on Bee • Career record of 412-87 in 21 seasons at LIU and Rider. • Highest winning percentage (.826) of any coach in NCAA history. • Enshrined in six halls of fame including the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Madison Square Garden Hall of Fame and the inaugural class of the Long Island University Athletics Hall of Fame. • A 43-game win streak at LIU ranks sixth-longest all-time in NCAA. • Led LIU to seven NIT tournaments, including championships in 1939 and 1941. • Over a 13-year span, his teams compiled a 222-3 home record. • Coached LIU to two undefeated seasons (1935-36 and 1938-39) • Nicknamed “The Innovator” for helping develop the 1-3-1 zone defense, the three-second rule and advocating the NBA’s 24-second shot clock. • Cofounded the acclaimed Kutsher’s Sports Camp. • Authored over 50 books, including the critically-acclaimed Chip Hilton’s Sports Stories for Young People. 2009-10 Long Island University Basketball The Coach Clair Bee and Chip Hilton Awards were created by Chip Hilton Sports and the NCAA Foundation in 1996 as a way to honor the memory of Clair Bee, who had a great impact as a coach, administrator, innovator and teacher. The awards promote positive character in basketball, which were hallmarks of Bee and his teams. The Coach Clair Bee Award honors the active Division I men’s basketball coach who made the most signi?cant positive contribution to his sport during the preceding year. The winner re?ects the character and professional qualities of Bee, a Hall of Fame coach whom many consider the best technical basketball coach in history and a man who cared deeply about his players’ well-being. The criteria for the award involves actions that inspire, motivate, coach and educate their teams to achieve their fullest potential and demonstrate outstanding character. The Chip Hilton Award is given in recognition of a college player who meets the competitive and ethical standards that were the theme of the 24-book Chip Hilton series. Criteria for the award involves athletic skill, team spirit, personal discipline and integrity, respect of university and athletic authority, service to others, team leadership and accountability to family, coaches and the university. The selection committee features some of the most respected names in college basketball, including former coaches Dean Smith, Dave Gavitt, Pete Newill and Bobby Knight and TV commentators Billy Packer, Jay Bilas and Dick Vitale. The awards have honored coaches and players from across the basketball landscape such as Jim Phelan of Mount St. Mary’s and Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski, as well as Tim Duncan from Wake Forest and Hassan Booker of the U.S. Naval Academy. 64 Long Island Blackbirds • 2009-10 Basketball • www.liuathletics.com