UB Basketball Legend Manute Bol Passes Away At The Age Of 47

University of Bridgeport basketball legend Manute Bol passed away on Saturday, June 19, 2010 at the age of 47.

Bol died at the University of Virginia hospital in Charlottesville, where he was being treated for severe kidney trouble and painful skin condition known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

While the 7-foot, 7-inch gentle giant played at the University of Bridgeport for only one season, 1984-85 when he led the Purple Knights to the NCAA Division II New England Regional Tournament, his name has become synonymous with UB athletics following a 10-year career in the National Basketball Association playing with Washington, Golden State, Philadelphia and Miami, plus a life after the NBA that was dedicated to humanitarian efforts in his native country of the Sudan.

"Even though he was only here for one year, he is the most famous athlete in UB history, "said University of Bridgeport Director of Athletics, Jay Moran.

"He truly loved his coach Bruce Webster and his teammates," Moran added.  "They had a great bond.  There is no doubt that team is hurting today with his passing."

His jersey and a photo of Bol have being hanging on the wall of UB's Harvey Hubbell Gymnasium for many years, and according to current University of Bridgeport head men's basketball coach, Mike Ruane, he has made a lasting impression on the University where his impact is felt even today.

Said Ruane, a native of Philadelphia, "He always wished he would've come back the next year (1985-8) and won a national championship.  He was huge for the university.  He's how I heard about Bridgeport."

"We look at Manute every day in the gym," continued coach Ruane.  "Manute will always be associated with UB and we're associated with Manute, and we're proud of that not just because of the basketball player he was, but truly because of the kind of man he was."