Naismith Basketball Hall misses twice on 2 locals

March 5, 2024 Andy Furman

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. AP Photo/Steven Senne

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It was a mistake. A big mistake.

Some may call it an oversight. Nah — it was truly an embarrassment.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced its 14 finalists for the 2024 class at the NBA’s All-Star Weekend. Vince Carter, Chauncey Billups and Seimone Augustus highlight the group of nominees, which will now be put forward to the Honor Committee, which will decide who gets elected.

But wait — where was Richard (Digger) Phelps?

We must have missed Danny Lynch Sr. — didn’t see his name either.

The new class will be unveiled in April at the Final Four in Phoenix.

“Being named a finalist for the Class of 2024 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is a testament to the highest echelons of achievement in the sport,” Jerry Colangelo, chairman of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, stated in a press release. “It’s an honor that reflects not only individual greatness but also the long-lasting impact on the game itself.”

Former Notre Dame head coach Digger Phelps waves to fans before an NCAA college basketball game between Notre Dame and Wake Forest Saturday Feb. 4, 2023 in South Bend, Ind. AP Photo/Michael Caterina

All the more reason for Phelps and Lynch to enter the hallowed halls of Springfield, Mass.

“From the strategic brilliance of coaches to the unmatched abilities of players and the influential roles of a coach/broadcaster, an esteemed owner and a dynasty-building executive, each finalist embodies the pinnacle of basketball excellence. Their inclusion underscores the diverse contributions that have shaped and enriched the sport, making this recognition truly exceptional.”

So, where are Phelps and Lynch?

As for Phelps, the former Fordham and Notre Dame basketball coach prepped for his inclusion during his 20 years at the South Bend, Ind. school. All he did was win 393 of 590 games (.666), make the NCAA tournament 14 years and graduate all 56 of his players.

Even more impressive for Phelps, is the statistical information compiled by Notre Dame grad Timothy Bourret.

Digger has 51 career wins over Top 20 teams; 25 of them over coaches now in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, according to Bourret.

He also has amassed 30 career wins over Top 10 teams; 20 wins over Top five teams and seven wins over No. 1 teams.

“Including his year at Fordham,” writes Bourret, “I know he also beat Hall of Fame coaches Rick Pitino, Chuck Daly, Marv Harshman, Fred Taylor, Ralph Miller, Lou Carnesecca, John Thompson Pete Carril and Eddie Sutton.”

“Digger’s career has been one of great success,” Duke Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski told the Brooklyn Eagle. “He coached in some of the best games in the history of college basketball, and his Notre Dame teams to a level of excitement that helped raise the bar of college basketball throughout our land. He should be considered for the Hall of Fame.”

So why isn’t he?

Perhaps a New York Times article dated March 26, 1982 written by Gordon S. White Jr., may be the answer.

Phelps told White that a number of schools across the country were paying a standard rate of $10,000 a year to outstanding basketball players, in violation of intercollegiate rules.

Phelps said in an interview that he knew of such activity by at least seven schools and that he believed the practice was more widespread.
He also said that he had recently reported two of the schools to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the major governing body of intercollegiate sports, for making such payments to freshman players from funds provided by athletic boosters.

The charges by Phelps, probably true, were believed to mark the first time that a man with his knowledge and prestige in intercollegiate sports had cited widespread payments so large. Phelps did say that he had lost five or six good basketball players to other schools in recruiting battles that spring — he said at the time that two of those players had been paid $10,000 each to attend one college and that a third player had been paid $10,000 to attend another.

Some 50-plus years ago, Digger Phelps put Fordham basketball on the map, leading the team to an NCAA berth and selling out Madison Square Garden with a 26-3 won-loss record.

His resume is certainly Hall of Fame-worthy. He ruffled the feathers with his honesty to the New York Times. Digger Phelps belongs in the Hall. Fellow coaches know this.

Danny Lynch Sr. belongs there as well.

No one else in the history of New York City basketball has achieved all these things:

New York City All-City performer twice
New York City All-Metropolitan Conference three years
Won a high school City Championship
New York City High School Coach of the Year
New York City College Coach of the Year

Dan Lynch Sr. was an All-Met performer all four years at St. Francis College, Brooklyn. He amassed over 500 coaching victories at Trinity High School, St. Francis Prep and with the Terriers of St. Francis College.

He won a City Championship at the Prep, and was named Coach of the Year. At St. Francis College, he was the Met Coach of the Year in ’54, ’56, ’63 and in ’67. From 1949-’56 he won 144 and dropped just 70 as Terriers’ coach.

He’s a member of the Eastern College Athletic Conference Hall of Fame, St. Francis College Hall of Fame, St. Francis Prep Hall, and New York City Basketball Hall of Fame.

“We’re more disappointed than anything else,” said Dan Lynch Jr. – who coached baseball for the Terriers.

Springfield, make room for Phelps and Lynch.

Andy Furman is a Fox Sports Radio national talk show host. Previously, he was a scholastic sports columnist for the Brooklyn Eagle. He may be reached at: [email protected] Twitter: @AndyFurmanFSR