Bob MacKinnon facts for kids
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 5, 1927 Dunkirk, New York, U.S. |
| Died | July 7, 2015 (aged 87) Williamsville, New York, U.S. |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Baseball | |
| 1954–1959 | Canisius |
| Basketball | |
| 1959–1972 | Canisius |
| 1972–1974 | Buffalo Braves (assistant) |
| 1974–1975 | Spirits of St. Louis |
| 1977 | Buffalo Braves |
| 1977–1978 | Buffalo Braves (assistant) |
| 1978–1979 | Boston Celtics (assistant) |
| 1979–1981 | New Jersey Nets (assistant) |
| 1980–1981 | New Jersey Nets |
| 1985–1987 | New Jersey Nets (assistant) |
| 1987–1988 | New Jersey Nets |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1959–1972 | Canisius |
| 1975–1977 | Buffalo Braves (GM) |
| 1981–1983 | New Jersey Nets (GM) |
| 1986–1987 | New Jersey Nets (GM) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
| Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame (1995) | |
Robert "Bob" MacKinnon (born December 5, 1927 – died July 7, 2015) was an American coach for both college and professional basketball teams. He led three different professional teams during his career. These included the American Basketball Association's Spirits of St. Louis and the NBA's Buffalo Braves and New Jersey Nets. MacKinnon also worked as the general manager for the New Jersey Nets.
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Who Was Bob MacKinnon?
Bob MacKinnon was a talented athlete and coach. He was known for his skills in basketball, baseball, and football. He made a big impact on the teams he played for and coached.
A Young Sports Star
MacKinnon grew up in Buffalo, New York. He was an amazing athlete at McKinley Vocational High School. He was a top player in basketball for three years (1944-1946). He even set a scoring record and helped his team win city championships.
He was also great at football. He played as a halfback and won three city championships. In baseball, he earned honors and led his team to a city championship in 1946.
After high school, MacKinnon played baseball at Canisius College. He was the captain of the team in 1950. However, he found his biggest success in college basketball. He was chosen for the All-Western New York team from 1948 to 1950. He was also named a Second-Team All-American in 1950.
In a special moment, MacKinnon was named MVP of the Jesuit Game in 1949. He won this award over famous player Bob Cousy. MacKinnon was known as one of the best defenders and playmakers for the Canisius Golden Griffins. After college, he briefly played minor league baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers. But he soon returned to his true passion: basketball.
From Player to Coach
MacKinnon played one season for the Syracuse Nationals in the National Basketball Association. Then, he came back to Buffalo. He started coaching basketball at Canisius High School. His teams had an impressive record of 36 wins and only 2 losses over two seasons.
In 1959, MacKinnon became the head basketball coach and athletic director at Canisius College. He was the youngest coach in the NCAA at that time. Just four years later, his team had a great season with 19 wins and 7 losses. They even played in the NIT Finals. This success earned MacKinnon the Eastern Coach of the Year award. He coached the Canisius Griffs for 13 seasons. Other coaches recognized his talent. They chose him for important committees, like the National Invitation Tournament Selection Committee.
Coaching in the Pros
In 1972, MacKinnon left Canisius College. He joined the Buffalo Braves as an assistant coach and scout. Within three years, the Braves became a strong team in the NBA.
He also coached in the American Basketball Association (ABA) during the 1974-75 season. He led the Spirits of St. Louis team. They achieved a surprising win against the New York Nets in the semifinals of the 1975 ABA Playoffs. His work in professional basketball showed his great skill and dedication to the sport.
Family and Legacy
Bob MacKinnon married Norma Marie Fell in 1955. They had four daughters and one son. His son, Bob MacKinnon Jr., also became a basketball coach. He coached in the NBA Development League for teams like the Colorado 14ers.
In 1995, Bob MacKinnon was honored for his achievements. He was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. He passed away in Williamsville, New York, on July 7, 2015, at the age of 87.
