Legendary Runnin’ Utes Coach Rick Majerus Joins Hall Of Fame
Nov 20, 2019, 10:31 PM | Updated: Nov 24, 2019, 7:39 pm
2 Dec 1998: Coach Rick Majerus of Utah talking to Andre Miller #24 in the huddle during the Great Eight Classic Game against Rhode Island at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Rhode Island defeated Utah 70-63. Credit: Jonathan Daniel / Allsport / Getty Images
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former Utah men’s basketball head coach Rick Majerus joined eight individuals as part of the 2019 National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame class.
The former Ute coach was inducted into the hall of fame on Sunday, November 24. He was named to the hall of fame earlier in 2019.
Majerus led the Runnin’ Utes from 1989-2004.
A winner of over 500 career games who took Utah to the 1998 Final Four.
The #CBHOF welcomes the late Rick Majerus! pic.twitter.com/GFvnug7x40
— National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (@CBHOF) November 25, 2019
“This is a very well-deserved honor for Rick Majerus and a great source of pride for Utah Athletics,” said Utah Athletic Director Mark Harlan. “His legacy of success as head coach of some of the most successful teams in the history of Utah Basketball will now be recognized in the National College Basketball Hall of Fame, and we salute Coach Majerus on his induction.”
During his tenure at Utah, Majerus led the Utes to the Final Four and an appearance in the national championship game in 1998.
Utah won six regular-season Western Athletic Conference titles under Majerus. They also won three WAC tournament titles in his time as head coach. After the Utes moved to the Mountain West Conference, they won an additional two regular-season conference championships under Majerus.
The former Utah coach was honored as WAC head coach of the year five times (1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, and 1999).
During his career, Majerus also coached at Marquette, Ball State, and Saint Louis.
Late Rick Majerus has been named to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame!
š°: https://t.co/exfyqNIq7N#GoUtesšš“ #CBHOF pic.twitter.com/fbkPoaynPB
— Utah Basketballš (@UtahMBB) April 2, 2019
Majerus passed away at the age of 64 years old on December 1, 2012.
In addition to the former Utah coach, fellow coaches Homer Drew (Bethel, Indiana-South Bend, Valparaiso) and Lute Olsen (Long Beach State, Iowa, Arizona) will be inducted on Sunday. The players in the 2019 class include Calbert Chaney (Indiana), Shane Battier (Duke), Terry Dischinger (Purdue), Ernie DiGregorio (Purdue), Larry Johnson (UNLV), and Todd Lichti (Stanford).
