(GREEN BAY PHOENIX) – Dale Race, a Green Bay men’s basketball assistant coach from 2003-2008, passed away on Friday, April 25 at the age of 78 after a long battle with prostate cancer.
Race was an outstanding player for UW-Oshkosh, leading the Titans to a then-called Wisconsin State University Conference (WSUC) championship in 1967 and another league crown in 1968. Both the 1967 and 1968 teams advanced to the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri, with the latter squad finishing third.
Following his playing career, Race entered the coaching ranks, first as an assistant at Milton College and UW-Eau Claire, before assuming head coaching duties at Minnesota-Duluth. In 14 years, he was district or regional coach of the year eight times and earned eight NSIC Coach of the Year honors. Race amassed more victories and owned the best winning percentage (.709) of any coach in the history of Bulldog men’s basketball, with an overall record of 293-120 from 1984-1998.
Race ended his illustrious coaching career at Green Bay as an assistant coach to one of his former players, Tod Kowalczyk. From 2003-2008, the Phoenix went 82-68, and secured a top-four finish in the Horizon League each year. During his time in GB, Race helped guide eight players to all-league awards. Coach Race had a tremendous impact on the community during his time in Green Bay and helped lay the foundation for many years of success that followed his time with the Phoenix.
Coach Race is recognized around the country for his accomplishments, receiving inductions into the Marinette High School Athletic Hall of Fame, the UW-Oshkosh Hall of Fame, the Milton College Hall of Fame, the UMD Hall of Fame and the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Race is survived by his wife, Margaret, and daughters Jennifer and Kari.
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