2011 Assembly Joint Resolution 1
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: honoring the life and achievements of Hank Raymonds.
Whereas, Henry “Hank" Raymonds, the legendary men's basketball coach and athletic director at Marquette University, passed away on Monday, December 6, 2010, at the age of 86 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin; and
Whereas, Hank Raymonds was born in St. Louis, Missouri on March 5, 1924, and attended St. Louis University High School and St. Louis University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in education; and
Whereas, Hank Raymonds became the first student-athlete at St. Louis University to earn four varsity letters in basketball and helped the Billikens win the National Invitational Tournament title in 1948; and
Whereas, Hank Raymonds who played under Coach Eddie Hickey while at St. Louis University, was hired by Hickey as an assistant coach when Hickey was named the head men's basketball coach at Marquette University in 1961; and
Whereas, Hank Raymonds was retained as an assistant coach at Marquette University when Al McGuire was named head coach in 1964, remaining in that position until 1977; and
Whereas, during Marquette University's magical 1977 season, Hank Raymonds was part of a legendary coaching staff, which included Head Coach Al McGuire, Raymonds and fellow Assistant Coach Rick Majerus, and helped lead the Warriors to the 1977 NCAA National Championship where they defeated the University of North Carolina; and
Whereas, Hank Raymonds was named Marquette University head men's basketball coach and athletic director following the championship season of 1977, succeeding Al McGuire; and
Whereas, Hank Raymonds compiled a career record of 126 wins and 50 losses while at Marquette University, a career winning percentage of .716, and all six of his Marquette teams advanced to postseason play, including five trips to the NCAA tournament; and
Whereas, Hank Raymonds' head coaching highlights included the 1977-78 Marquette squad that went 24-4 and was ranked No. 3 nationally in the final United Press International poll, his 1978-79 team that finished 22-7 and was ranked No. 10 nationally in the final Associated Press rankings, that he was named the 1979 Medalist Sports Education Coach of the Year, and that five of his players were named All-Americans and sixteen of his players were drafted into the National Basketball Association; and
Whereas, Hank Raymonds' tenure as Marquette University athletic director was highlighted by his work to elevate Marquette University's women's athletic teams to Division I status, and upon his retirement from the position in 1987, his selfless act of returning a $10,000 gift from Marquette University and instead requesting that it be used to start a fund for nonrevenue sports that exists to this day as the Blue and Gold Athletic Scholarship Fund at Marquette University; and
Whereas, Hank Raymonds spent more than 25 years at Marquette University, serving as an assistant coach, as the school's 10th men's basketball head coach, and as athletic director, and it was his humanity and grace which prompted many of his former players to describe him as a “father figure," “trusted friend," and “great man" when they learned of his passing; and
Whereas, Hank Raymonds was inducted into the inaugural Hall of Fame class at Christian Brothers University, where he coached from 1955 to 1961, the St. Louis University Sports Hall of Fame, the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 1948 St. Louis University NIT Champions, the Marquette M Club Hall of Fame, the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame; and
Whereas, Hank Raymonds touched the lives of countless people during his lifetime, helping to transform young men and women into caring, committed, involved, and productive adults by encouraging them to take their studies seriously and become the best people they could be, not simply the best athletes; and
Whereas, Hank Raymonds will be deeply missed by his wife Jinny, his five children, thirteen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, other family members and friends, hundreds of former student-athletes, fellow coaches and administrators, the Marquette University community, all of those who were fortunate to have known him, and countless others who simply admired his dedication to Marquette University and all of its students, staff, and faculty; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the
assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature honor Henry “Hank" Raymonds for his dedication and commitment to Marquette University, his coaching accomplishments, and his profound impact on the lives of so many, express their sorrow over his passing, and extend their condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to Hank Raymonds' wife Jinny and his children, Steve Raymonds, Marianne Raymonds, Dan Raymonds, Linda Raymonds, and Carol Raymonds.
