Buster Sheary (1908-2001)
Teams coached: Holy Cross Crusaders
Holy Cross record: 155-36 (.812)
Overall record^: 155-36 (.812)
Career Accomplishments:
- NCAA National Championships: 0
- NCAA Tournament Appearances: 2 (1950, 1953)
- NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen: 1 (1953)
- NCAA Tournament Final Four: 0
- NIT Championships: 1 (1954)
- NIT Appearances: 3 (1952, 1954, 1955)
Coaching Career (head coach, unless noted):
| 1948-1955 | Holy Cross |
| 1946-1948 | Holy Cross (asst) |
Buster Sheary Facts
- Lester John Sheary
- Born August 29, 1908
- Died November 30, 2001
- Hometown: Worcester, Massachusetts
- Alma Mater: Catholic University of America (BA, 1933)
- Graduated from St. Peter’s HS (MA) and then played football, basketball and baseball at Catholic University in Washington, DC
- Primarily known as a football star, he also excelled on the hardwood and was inducted into the CUA Athletics HOF in 1978
- Returned to his hometown after graduation to coach football and basketball at St. John’s HS and alma mater St. Peter’s
- Served in the United States Navy during World War II
- Arrived at Holy Cross in 1946 as an assistant (under Doggie Julian) then took over as head coach in 1948
- Led the Crusaders for seven seasons, going 155-36 overall and reaching the postseason five times
- Went to three NITs, winning it all in 1954, and two NCAA Tournaments (when only 8 and later 22 teams were invited)
- Coached three different All-Americans during his short tenure, including future Hall of Fame Celtics player Bob Cousy
- Had the program ranked as high as #1 (in 1950) and twice finished the season in the Top 5 (#4 in 1950 and #3 in 1954)
- Stepped away from coaching in 1955 but retained his role as assistant director of athletics with Worcester Public Schools; he held that position for a total of 41 years, including his time coaching at Holy Cross
- Inducted into the Holy Cross Varsity Club HOF (1975) and Boys and Girls Club of Worcester Alumni HOF (2001)
- Passed away in Worcester in 2001 at the age of 93; survived by two daughters, five grandchildren and one great-grandson
Buster Sheary Coaching Tree
- Bob Cousy (KC/Omaha Kings, Cincinnati Royals, Boston College)
- Tom Heinsohn (Boston Celtics)
- George Kaftan (LIU Post)
- Joe Mullaney (Providence, Brown, Norwich, NBA/ABA)
^ overall record includes head coaching positions at the NCAA Division I level only
