Al Van Wie
Birthdate: January 12, 1928
Birthplace: Schenectady, N.Y.
High School: Nott Terrace, Schenectady, N.Y. (1946)
College: College of Wooster (1952)
Year Inducted: 2015
Al Van Wie was a crusader for small college athletics and a guiding light for many years in the athletic department at The College of Wooster and in the Wooster community.
A Navy veteran and a 1952 Wooster graduate, the New York native joined the school’s staff in 1960 as assistant coach for three sports.
He became the head basketball coach in 1961 and led the Scots on the hardwood for 21 years. In 1974 he added the title of director of athletics and guided the school through a period of remarkable growth.
Van Wie was instrumental in the formation of the North Coast Athletic Conference in 1983 and served the National Collegiate Athletic Association in a variety of roles beginning in 1978, when he was named to the committee that debated the issue of bringing women into the NCAA.
As basketball coach, Van Wie guided the Scots to three NCAA Tournament appearances. His 1970-71 team finished 23-3 with a 12-0 record in the Ohio Athletic Conference. His 1977-78 team was the school’s first to reach the Sweet Sixteen. He had 14 winning seasons and a record of 303-215.
Al Van Wie died at the age of 85 on Sept. 18, 2013.
