Joe Lapchick (1985) - Hall of Fame - St. John's University Athletics

Joe Lapchick

Induction:
1985

Lapchick coached at St. John's from 1936-1947 and then again in 1957 until his retirement in 1965. In between, Lapchick served as head coach of the New York Knicks. Lapchick won 334 games during his St. John's tenure, including four National Invitation Tournament titles (1943, 1944, 1959 and 1965). A pioneer, Lapchick helped to break the NBA's racial barrier with the signing of Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton to the Knicks in 1950. He was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1966.