Floyd Theard

Floyd M. Theard Jr. (September 5, 1944 – April 12, 1985) was a professional basketball point guard and collegiate coach who played one season in the American Basketball Association (ABA) with the Denver Rockets during the 1969–70 season. He attended Kentucky State University, where he later returned to coach.[1]

Floyd Theard
Personal information
Born(1944-09-05)September 5, 1944
DiedApril 12, 1985(1985-04-12) (aged 40)
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight170 lb (77 kg)
Career information
High schoolSt. Elizabeth, Chicago, Illinois
CollegeKentucky State (1963–1967)
NBA draft1967: undrafted
PositionPoint guard
Number11
Career history
As player:
1969–1970Denver Rockets
As coach:
1972–1974Manual HS
1974–1978Iowa (assistant)
1978–1980Kentucky State
1980–1985Denver
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing the United States United States
Universiade
Gold medal – first place1965 BudapestTeam competition
Gold medal – first place1967 TokyoTeam competition

Basketball career

After graduating from St. Elizabeth High School in, Chicago, Illinois, Theard attended Kentucky State University, where he played basketball and graduated in 1967. Theard represented the USA, playing in two World University Games under coaches John Kundla, John Bennington and John McLendon, helping the team to gold medals in both occasions.[2][3][4] Floyd then played one professional season for the Denver Rockets, averaging 3.8 points 2.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 25 games.[1]

After beginning his coaching career at the high school level in Colorado, Thread became an assistant coach under Coach Lute Olson at Iowa,[5] before accepting the head coaching position at Kentucky State, his alma mater, in 1978. Theard compiled a 36–22 record in two seasons at Kentucky State, with his teams finishing with 18–11 records in both seasons.[4]

In 1980, Theard became the head basketball coach at the University of Denver. During his five seasons, the Denver Pioneers compiled a 107–38 record, which included a home–court winning streak of 79 consecutive games. In April 1985, while serving as the head basketball coach at Denver, Theard suffered a fatal heart attack at age 40.[4][6]

Honors

Floyd Theard was elected to the Kentucky State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1987.[7]

The Floyd M. Theard Jr. Memorial Award is given annually to the "University of Denver men's basketball player who best displays the qualities of leadership, scholarship and sportsmanship as demonstrated by Coach Theard during his lifetime."[8]

Kentucky State University sponsors a Floyd M. Theard Jr. Memorial Basketball Scholarship.[9]

The University of Denver hosts an annual Floyd M. Theard Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament, which raises money for scholarships. Alumni gather at the tournament. Speaking of Coach Thread, one former player shared memories. "Coach Theard was a man who believed in helping his student-athletes aspire to grow as human-beings," said Denver basketball alum Dr. Herb Parris. "I remember him saying so often 'If you are late for practice, you will be late for life.' That is a saying I will never forget, from an unforgettable person."[8]

References
  1. "Floyd Theard Stats". Basketball-Reference.com.
  2. "FIFTH WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES -- 1965". www.usab.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015.
  3. "SIXTH WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES -- 1967". www.usab.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015.
  4. "University of Denver basketball coach Floyd Theard, whose Pioneers..." UPI.
  5. Brown, Rick. "Kirk Speraw Shares Stories About Playing for Lute Olson". HawkeyeNation.
  6. "The Denver Clarion, vol. 90, issue 43, 1985 April 15 | Archives @ DU Catalog". duarchives.coalliance.org.
  7. "Floyd Theard (1987) - Hall of Fame". Kentucky State University Athletics.
  8. "Basketball Alumni Return to Support Floyd Theard Golf Tournament". University of Denver Athletics.
  9. "Floyd M. Theard, Jr. Memorial Basketball Scholarship - Sophomore Scholarships - EDU in Review". 104.236.211.88.
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