The Arizona Republic

Ex-ASU hoops coach dies

By BOB YOUNG

The Arizona Republic

PHOENIX – Former Arizona State basketball coach Steve Patterson died yesterday at his Phoenix home after a battle with lung cancer. He was 56.

Patterson, a former UCLA standout who played on three national championship teams and bridged the gap between the careers of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton, spent almost four seasons at ASU’s helm.

He resigned during the 1988-89 season with a 48-56 record. He later served as chairman of the Phoenix area’s Super Bowl XXX Committee and as commissioner of the Continental Basketball Association.

In recent years, Patterson had focused on youth and community sports programs through his company, Patterson Sports Ventures. He worked with the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority, the Arizona Interscholastic Association and Tempe Sports Authority.

“We so appreciate all of the kindnesses extended to Steve, me and the family during this time of struggle,” his wife, Carlette, said in a brief statement posted on his Web page, stevepatterson.net.

In addition to his wife, Patterson is survived by his children John, Brent, Amanda, Sara and Makena; his mother, Jean Patterson; two brothers, Bob and Tim, and their families.

A visitation is planned from 2 to 7 p.m. on Sunday at Whitney & Murphy Arcadia Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road in Phoenix. A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Monday at Valley Presbyterian Church Sanctuary, 6947 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to TheGoal.com, care of Dave Hood, Pro Athletes Outreach, P.O. Box 1044, Issaquah, WA 98027.

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