Michael Alexander, Chancellor | University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Michael Alexander, Chancellor | University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Green Bay Athletics Honors Passing of Legendary Men’s Basketball Coach, Dave Buss
As the first coach for Green Bay men’s basketball, Dave Buss led the team to almost immediate national success as head coach from 1969-1982. His tenure included competing in NAIA, DII, and DI levels. His teams recorded two NCAA DII runner-up finishes and three DII Final Four appearances.
“We mourn the passing of one of the foundational leaders of UW-Green Bay,” said UW-Green Bay Chancellor Michael Alexander. “Although I never had the opportunity to speak to Coach Buss, I can feel his amazing legacy in countless ways. You can measure greatness through wins and losses, but Coach Buss’ legacy can be felt in far more important ways. He created a belief in our University from its earliest stages, showed what is possible for the future, and made a profound difference in the lives of everyone I have spoken to who knew him. I join with our community in celebrating his life and mourning his passing.”
Buss garnered national attention for their defense and is credited for creating a brand of Green Bay basketball that propelled the program to DI status. Along with founding chancellor Ed Weidner, Buss was instrumental in elevating the Green Bay Phoenix to Division I level. He was inducted into the Phoenix Hall of Fame in 1995.
“This is a sad day for all of Phoenix Country,” said Green Bay Director of Athletics Josh Moon. “Coach Buss was a true legend who is on the ‘Mount Rushmore’ of UWGB. He believed in this University and basketball program when many didn’t. He built a program from scratch in 1969 and took us to heights never imaginable including elevating Phoenix Athletics to Division I in 1981. He was a visionary and helped build the foundation of excellence that we carry forward today. I was fortunate to be in regular contact with Coach over the past two years and I thoroughly enjoyed our conversations. He was thrilled with the transformation of Phoenix basketball this past year and I could tell how much this University, program, and community meant to him. I will miss our chats dearly and am so blessed to have been able to call him a friend and mentor. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, former players, and all who knew him. We are eternally grateful for everything he did for UWGB and this community.”
One of few coaches in collegiate history to coach at NAIA, DII, and DI levels at the same school, Buss accumulated a 271-102 (.726) record over 13 seasons. The height of his coaching success came between 1977-81 when the Phoenix reached three NCAA DII Final Fours.
“As the 10th head coach in Green Bay men’s basketball history, it was an honor two weeks ago to speak to the first head coach at UWGB,” added head men’s basketball coach Doug Gottlieb. “Today I’m so very sad to learn of Coach Buss’ passing... especially on the defensive side of the ball... We want to wish his family our condolences from our entire Phoenix Phamily.”
Green Bay men’s basketball and Green Bay Athletics will continue searching for ways to honor Coach Buss’ legacy this upcoming year.
About UW-Green Bay
The University serves 10,300 undergraduate, graduate students annually along with continuing education learners across four campus locations.
For more information on Green Bay Athletics visit GreenBayPhoenix.com or follow them on social media platforms like Twitter or Instagram.
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