Alex Severance
Alex Severance (1905-1985)
Teams coached: Villanova Wildcats
Villanova record: 413-201 (.673)
Overall record: 413-201 (.673)
Career Accomplishments:
- NCAA National Championships: 0
- NCAA Tournament Appearances: 4 (1939, 1949, 1951, 1955)
- NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen: 1 (1955)
- NCAA Tournament Final Four: 1 (1939)
- NIT Championships: 0
- NIT Appearances: 2 (1959, 1960)
Coaching Career (head coach, unless noted):
1936-1961 | Villanova |
Alex Severance Facts
- Alexander G. Severance, Sr.
- Born June 3, 1905
- Died April 1, 1985
- Hometown: New York City, New York
- Alma Mater: Villanova University (BA, 1929) / Temple University (JD, 1932)
- Originally from NYC, Severance played college ball at Villanova for head coach Josh Cashman
- Started his coaching career in 1936, taking over as head coach at his alma mater
- Coached the Wildcats for 25 seasons, compiling an overall record of 413-201
- Went to four NCAA Tournaments and two NITs in a time when far fewer teams were invited to both
- Led the Wildcats to the Final Four in 1939, the first-ever NCAA Tournament
- Also served as a business law professor during his time at Villanova and coached the baseball team in 1944
- Passed away at the age of 79 on April 1st, 1985, the same day the Villanova Wildcats won their first NCAA Championship
- Posthumously inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2016
Alex Severance Coaching Tree
- George Raveling (USC, Iowa, Washington State)