| Graduation Year | Class of 1943 |
| Date of Passing | Jan 06, 2002 |
| About | Fred Taylor graduated from Lash High School in 1943, and then served in the U.S. Army and Air Force until 1946. He attended Ohio State University from 1946 to 1950, and played as a forward on the Buckeyes' basketball team for three years. He was a starter on OSU's Big Ten championship team in 1950, a squad that finished third in the nation. Fred also played first base for the OSU baseball team for four years, and was named an All-America in 1950. Following his graduation from Ohio State, he played professionally for the Washington Senators from 1950 to 1953. For the next five years, Fred served as freshman basketball coach at Ohio State, then was appointed head coach in 1958. He led the Buckeyes' program until 1976, and compiled a record of 297-158 during his career. He also coached OSU's only National Championship team (1960), and his Buckeyes were also runners-up in 1961 and 1962. The 1968 team finished third. Fred's OSU teams won seven Big Ten championships, including a record five in a row from 1960 to 1964. Fred was named Coach of the year by the USBWA and UPI in 1961 and 1962. He coached six All-America players, including National Basketball Hall of Fame members Jerry Lucas, John Havlicek and Bob Knight. Fred was enshrined in the Ohio State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1980 and as a coach in the National Basketball Hall of Fame on May 6, 1986. Fred served on the United States Olympic Basketball Committee from 1964 to 1972. He was president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches in 1972 and 1973. Fred was manager of the United States National Team at the FIBA World Championships in 1978 and at the Pan American Games in 1979. Fred was a leader with a reputation for coaching excellence, honesty and dedication. He stressed the importance of "education first" to his players and recruits, and was committed to volunteering, civic duties and charitable causes. Until his illness in 1996, Fred was manager of The Golf Club in New Albany. He passed away on January 6, 2002, survived by his wife, Eileen Stillion Taylor, and his daughters, Janna, Krista, Nicola and Sharla. |
