Title
Recognizing and Congratulating Philadelphia University's Herb Magee on earning his 1,000th career win in college basketball and for his years of dedication and service to Philadelphia University's college basketball team.
Body
WHEREAS, Philadelphia University men's Basketball team defeated Post University's men's basketball team by the score of 80 to 60 on February 7, 2015 giving coach Herb Magee his 1,000th career victory; and
WHEREAS, Herb Magee is a native of Philadelphia growing up near 45th and Baltimore Avenue in West Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Magee's interest in basketball started when he played on his high school team at West Catholic High. As a five-foot-ten inch, 150-pound player, his motto was You can't learn to be taller or faster, but you can learn how to put the ball through the hoop, - this philosophy shaped his entire career; and
WHEREAS, Magee continued his basketball career with the Philadelphia College of Textiles & Science Rams (before the name was changed to Philadelphia University) finishing as the school's leading scorer with 2,235 points; and
WHEREAS, Magee graduated from Philadelphia College of Textiles & Science with a Bachelors of Science in Marketing, and earned a Master in Education degree from St. Joseph's University; and
WHEREAS, Magee was a two-time All-American and was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the 1963 NBA Draft, but Magee opted for a coaching career, and returned to his alma mater to join his mentor, head coach Bucky Harris, becoming assistant coach for the Rams in 1963; and
WHEREAS, Magee began his collegiate basketball coaching career at age 25; he is now in his 48th year as head coach and his 56th year as either a player, assistant or head coach at Philadelphia University; and
WHEREAS, As head coach, Magee led the Rams to 27 NCAA Tournaments, including 11 regional finals, three national quarterfinals and the 1970 NCAA College Division National Championship. Under his tutelage 12 players earn All-American recognition and 43 of his players have scored at least 1,000 career points; and
WHEREAS, Magee's impressive list of accomplishments and awards also include being honored as East Region Coach of the Year (4 times), National Coach of the Year (1976), and Conference Coach of the Year (7 times); and
WHEREAS, In 2005, Magee was selected as a Guardian of the Game by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) under its Education Core Value. In 2007, he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Philadelphia Sports Congress. Coach Magee was awarded the honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, at Philadelphia University's 125th Commencement on May 17, 2009 in recognition of his accomplishments and years of dedication and service. The Philadelphia Sports Writers Association honored Magee as a Living Legend on January 30, 2012; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Coach Magee was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1979, the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in 2011; and
WHEREAS, Magee is known in college basketball as Shot Doctor because of his ability to teach basketball shot-making through clinics which he held thousands of times during his career. Magee is a nationally renowned shooting instructor who has tutored many professional players including Charles Barkley, Malik Rose, Jameer Nelson and, recently, Evan Turner formerly of the Philadelphia76ers; and
WHEREAS, As a proud Philadelphian Coach Magee leaves a giant imprint on the game of basketball as citizen, player, coach, and mentor; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby recognize and congratulate Philadelphia University's Herb Magee on earning his 1,000th career win in college basketball and for his years of dedication and service to Philadelphia University's college basketball team.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Herb Magee as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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