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)