Tom Young (1996) - Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame

Tom Young

Induction:
1996

Tom Young, the winningest coach in Rutgers men's basketball history (.671), presided over the greatest era in Scarlet Knight basketball history. From 1973-1985, his teams won 239 games and lost just 117. The pinnacle of his career was the 1975-76 season when the Scarlet Knights raced out to a perfect 26-0 regular season, eventually going 31-0 and reaching the Final Four. The final record of 31-2 is the best in RU history. He was the 1975-76 UPI National Coach of the Year. He led Rutgers to four NCAA Tournament and five NIT's. His 1978-79 team reached the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament and his 1977-78 team reached the Final Four of the NIT at New York's Madison Square Garden. He coached eight All-Americans at Rutgers and recruited seven of them. Twelve of his players, including 11 that he recruited, were drafted by the NBA. He coached 10 of Rutgers' top 11 all-time scorers and 15 of the top 50. Young was especially noted for teaching the center position as he helped groom the All-American careers of RU Hall of Famers James Bailey and Roy Hinson.