Wake Forest basketball coach Skip Prosser collapsed while jogging and died today. He was 56. Prosser had coached Wake since 2001. Prosser's career record was 291-146. He was the 2003 ACC coach of the year. Prosser was 126-68 in six seasons at Wake Forest. He previously spent seven seasons coaching at Xavier and one season at Loyola of Maryland.
Prosser began his career as a high school teacher and high school coach and always considered himself a teacher first and a coach second, said his friend Jay Bilas, the ESPN basketball analyst.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and two sons: Scott and Mark, both in their 20s. Mark is an assistant basketball coach at Bucknell.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-26-2007 @ 5:18PM
eflo said...
As a native Cincinnatian I have always loved the Skyline shootout between XU AND UC. I always rooted for Coach Prosser, because I had a total disdain towards to Huggins. Wake Forest, the ACC, and the country is going to miss one heck of a coach.
My condolences to the family,he was and always remain great coach and greater human being. We will miss you Coach.
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7-27-2007 @ 7:58AM
DanielRoth said...
Skip was an amazing human being. I played high school basketball with both of his sons at Wheeling Central, and attended Xavier baskeball camp every summer. Skip was the only coach whom ever believed in me and encouraged me to keep working hard. Skip taught me how to be a winner. To not make excuses. I expect more from myself, than anyone else could ever expect from me. Thank You Skip. My prayers are with your Mother, wife, Mark and Scott. Besides my parents, you are the one my biggest heros, and I would not be the man I am today without your faith in me.
God Bless, Dan Roth
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7-26-2007 @ 4:58PM
Jim Hudson said...
A tragic happening!!! Skip attended our church and although I never met him personally, he was considered a class act. Condolences to his family and to the Wake Forest Family. JH
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7-26-2007 @ 5:32PM
Shelley said...
Coach, you will be missed. My thoughts and prayers to the Prosser family, the Wake Forest community and all those he left behind in Cinn and Wheeling
God Bless
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7-26-2007 @ 7:05PM
Jess said...
All of us in the Wake Forest family are just in shock right now. Nobody took the last two years harder than Skip. He was the exact anti-thesis of the big time college basketball coach, and he was perfect for our little, tight knit school. He would stop and talk to you in the Pit, bring you pizza while you were camping out for seats the night before the UNC game, come sit with you during the opening season scrimmages and talk about the team... he was a regular fixture at football games and other Wake Forest sports games, going so far as to travel down to Mississippi last year with the team for our game against Ole Miss. He was the epitome of everything I love about Wake Forest, and he will be missed dearly.
Hopefully, by the time Aminu, Woods, and Walker suit up for Deacs, they'll be playing on Skip Prosser Court at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Stadium.
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7-26-2007 @ 7:20PM
Chris said...
I had the pleasure of meeting Coach Prosser when he was at Loyola (Md.) and there you knew that he was on his way to becoming a big time coach. I can't believe he's gone.
I'm 55 and I had a stroke last September. Take days and blessed them one at a time because no one knows when his or her time is up. Condolenses go out to the family and friends of this fine man.
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7-26-2007 @ 10:46PM
Tom Joyner said...
I am as big a Tarheel fan as it gets but this news today about the death of Skip Prosser really hits home. Not just because he was only 56 and I'm 9 years ahead of him but because I always admired the way he conducted himself and had his teams battling long after the war had been lost. My family joins with so many others in condolences to his wife and sons and to the Wake Forest community that he dearly loved. May he rest in peace.
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7-26-2007 @ 10:56PM
George B Vieto said...
Rest in peace Skip Possler. Condolences to his family and Wake Forest University.
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7-27-2007 @ 10:28PM
rita cox said...
What a shock and feeling of sadness. As a lifelong Tarheel fan, it is with great sorrow that I extend my heartfelt sympathy from all ACC fans. Skip, you were a class act and a credit to Wake. To your family, I will remember you in my prayers. God Bless.
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7-27-2007 @ 2:42AM
JKlicious99 said...
I too am a big Tarheels fan and I would like to express my condolences to Skip Prossers entire family, his friends and to the Wake Forest community. The ACC won't be the same without this great coach.
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7-27-2007 @ 8:34AM
Ken said...
I would like for the Prosser family yo know they are in my prayers, I had the honor of meeting Mr. Prosser once he is one classy man. Although I am a UNC grad, I always pull for the Deacs when not playing my Heels. Mr. Prosser was a outstanding coach but even more of a true gentleman, he will be greatly missed by all, God Bless you.
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7-27-2007 @ 12:28PM
Ryan Ferguson said...
RIP, Skip.
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7-27-2007 @ 12:46PM
Brian Grogan said...
It was a total shock to hear the death of Coach Prosser. Although a UNC fan, I send my condolences to his family, and the entire Wake Forest family. Wake and the entire Winston-Salem city was so fortunate to have a coach like him. RIP, Coach Prosser,because God needed a good coach!
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