Jan. 4, 2012
SAN DIEGO (AP) - Gene Bartow, who succeeded John Wooden at UCLA, began UAB's athletic program and later served as an interim athletic director at San Diego State, passed away Tuesday. He was 81.
Bartow, who was the president of the company that owns the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies and FedEx Forum, died Tuesday evening at his home in Birmingham, Ala., after a battle with stomach cancer, said UAB spokesman Norm Reilly.
Bartow served as interim athletic director at San Diego State from July to October of 2003, bridging the tenures of Rick Bay and Mike Bohn. Although his time on The Mesa may have been short, Bartow played a major role in helping the athletic department redefine its public image and helped lock up men's basketball head coach Steve Fisher to a long-term contract.
"He was a Hall of Fame coach and a better person," Fisher said. "Everyone he came in contact with in his short tenure at San Diego State loved him. He was a people person who cared, which is why he influenced so many lives. He helped strengthen the athletic department and the campus as a whole during a very important time. I have lost a dear friend and he will be greatly missed by all of us."
Bartow remained close to the San Diego State athletic department after his departure. He attended basketball practices and games as his schedule permitted and kept close tabs on the success of Aztec athletic teams.
"I have been close to Gene for many years," Fisher said. "He liked San Diego State and enjoyed coming here. Whenever he was in the area he would make a point to come and see practice. Even though he had a short tenure here, he really liked San Diego State and he considered it part of his legacy."
Bartow was one of the winningest NCAA Division I basketball coaches with 647 wins over 34 seasons. He was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009 and UAB renamed its basketball arena in his honor in 1997.
He succeeded John Wooden as UCLA's coach in 1976 and led the Bruins to the Final Four but left after two seasons to start Alabama-Birmingham's program, expanding it under his tenure as athletic director to feature 17 sports.
As UAB's basketball coach from 1978-96, Bartow led the Blazers to seven straight NCAA tournament appearances. He retired as athletic director in 2000.
Bartow coached Memphis State from 1970-74 and guided the school to the 1973 national championship game, where the Tigers lost to a UCLA team coached by Wooden. That year, Bartow was named national coach of the year, according to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame web site.