Oklahoma State basketball fans are mourning the loss of a legend.
Longtime men’s basketball coach Eddie Sutton died over the weekend from natural causes at the age of 84, surrounded by his three sons and their families.
"Dad and Mom treated their players like family and always shared the belief that his teachings went beyond the basketball court," the family said in a statement. "He cherished the time he spent at every school and appreciated the support of their loyal fans. He believed they deserved so much credit in the success of his programs."
Sutton led three teams to the Final Four with Arkansas in 1978 and Oklahoma State in 1995 and 2004. He was also the first coach to take four schools to the NCAA Tournament — Creighton, Arkansas, Kentucky and Oklahoma State.
Sutton ranks 11th all-time with 806 career coaching victories. He was a two-time Associated Press National Coach of the Year and an eight-time conference coach of the year.
"Oklahoma State University is deeply saddened by the passing of Coach Eddie Sutton," OSU President Burns Hargis said. "He revived our historic basketball program and will always be revered and loved by the Cowboy family."
In early April of this year, Sutton was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame after falling short as a finalist six times in the past. His enshrinement in Springfield, Mass. was set for August 29.
Sutton coached collegiate players who would go on to become NBA players such as Bryant 'Big Country' Reeves, Desmond Mason, John Lucas III, Joey Graham, Sidney Moncrief, Joe Kleine, Scott Hastings, Alvin Robertson, Rex Chapman, and more.
