Walter Meanwell
Inducted:
1959
Stats
5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Born
January 26, 1884
Leeds, England
Died
December 2, 1953
Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Position:
Coach
College:
University of Missouri
Walter Meanwell was one of the most influential coaches of the early 20th century and a pioneer in developing organized basketball strategy. He coached the University of Wisconsin and the University of Missouri, introducing a disciplined style based on short passing, crisscross dribbling and tight zone defense.
At Wisconsin, Meanwell led the Badgers to eight Big Ten championships and three teams that were later recognized as national champions by the Helms Athletic Foundation. He also served as a charter member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches and authored The Science of Basketball in 1924.
He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959 as a coach.
Meanwell's Awards and Honors
- 8× Big Ten Champion with Wisconsin
- 3× Helms Foundation National Champion (1912, 1914, 1916)
- 2× MVC (1918,1920)
- Wisconsin won 44 of 45 games during his first three seasons
- Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame (1954)
- Guided Wisconsin to conference championships in 8 seasons
- Authored The Science of Basketball (1924)