UD basketball legend Paxson Sr. dies at 81
By David Jablonski, Dayton Daily News, Ohio | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The
"He was a hell of a teammate, the leader of a great basketball team and a lot of people will miss him," said WHIO broadcaster
Dayton's all-time winningest coach,
Paxson Sr. had battled health problems for three or four years, Bockhorn and Donoher said. Donoher said Paxson Sr. died in his sleep at the
"Jim was just an all-around wonderful person," Donoher said. "He was a major player in
Paxson is survived by his wife, Jackie, and five kids: Jim, John, Michael, Molly and Maggie. Jim and John, both
After his college career at Dayton, Paxson Sr.'s son Jim played nine seasons in the
"He was very proud of those kids and rightfully so," Bockhorn said. "He loved his family."
Freshmen didn't play during Paxson Sr.'s playing days. In his first two seasons on the court, in 1951-52 and 1952-53, he averaged 6.2 and 11.6 points. He was the team's top sixth man as a sophomore.
"Jim was just kind of raw (as a freshman)," Donoher said. "He just continued to grow. He grew physically. He was very talented. He played baseball. He could stand on the mound and he wasn't a pitcher, but he could actually throw right-handed or left-handed. He was very athletic. He passed those genes on to his kids."
After his sophomore year, Paxson Sr. was drafted into the
"(Hall of Fame sports writer)
"They're in the argument," Donoher said. "They were ranked No. 2 in the nation. No other team's attained that ranking."
According to the Dayton men's basketball media guide in 1955-56, Paxson Sr. was nicknamed the "
Paxson Sr. finished his career with 956 points, ranking 47th in school history. He averaged 10.9 points per game. His son Jim ranks fifth in school history with 1,945 points.
After his UD career, Paxson played with the
After basketball, Paxson Sr. worked in the insurance business and stayed close to UD.
"He was (former Athletic Director)
At first, Paxson Sr. wasn't even an official employee of the university, said
"I never knew a guy that loved the
Paxson Sr. enjoyed Dayton's run to the Elite Eight last season and attended the annual preseason BBQ at Dr.
"He was excited about the program right up until the end," McCans said.
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