Jack Avina, who served as head coach of the University of Portland men's basketball program from 1970-87, passed away last Thursday. Avina was at the helm of some of the most successful basketball seasons in school history and won a program record 222 games in his 17 years on The Bluff.

Avina coached a number of players considered to be among the best to ever play at Portland, including four of the top six scorers in the Pilot record books. 

Darwin Cook, Jose Slaughter and Rick Raivio each earned All-America honors under Avina and went on to successful professional careers. Cook played eight seasons in the NBA, while Slaughter was drafted and played for the Indiana Pacers during the 1982-83 season. Raivio was a Scholar All-American and drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers before moving on to a successful professional career in Europe.

Portland basketball during the Avina years faced some of the toughest competition in the nation. Oregon State frequently was a nationally-ranked opponent, while San Francisco was among the nation's elite as a conference foe.

Avina and his late wife, Clare, had six children and 13 grandchildren. Riverside Golf & Country Club will host a memorial service for Avina on Sunday, Nov. 11 from 1-4 p.m.

Jack Avina by the Numbers:

• Portland Men's Basketball Head Coach, 1970-87
• 222 wins are most by a coach in Portland history
• 17 years longest coaching tenure in Pilot basketball history
• Coached four future UP Hall of Famers
• All-time Leading Scorer (Jose Slaughter, 1978-82)
• All-time Assists Leader (Darwin Cook, 1976-80)
• Four of the top six scorers in school history and eight 1,000-point scorers
  • Jose Slaughter, 1978-82
  • Darwin Cook, 1976-80
  • Rick Raivio, 1976-80
  • Leonard Williams, 1974-78
  • Quentin Braxton, 1972-75
  • Floyd Banks, 1972-75
  • Stan Talley, 1968-71
  • Reggie Logan, 1976-80