UTEP basketball great Willie Cager passed away at age 81
Cager passed away on the anniversary of the 1966 championship and remained a presence in El Paso far after his playing days.
According to his family, Willie Cager, a member of the Texas Western squad that won the national title in 1965–1966, passed away on Sunday morning at 81.
Cager passed away exactly 57 years after Texas Western beat Kentucky in the NCAA men’s collegiate basketball final, 72-65.
Cager was a member of the historic 1966 Texas Western team. Don Haskins, a hall-of-fame coach, fielded an all-Black starting lineup against Kentucky in the NCAA Final. Five Black players starting in an NCAA championship game was a first.
Cager, a sophomore then, started the championship game as one of the five Black players. Cager started the game with Bobby Joe Hill, Orsten Artis, Willie Worsley, and Dave Lattin.
Texas Western defeated the Adolph Rupp-led Kentucky team in the NCAA men’s collegiate basketball championship game in College Park, Maryland, 72-65.
Cager delivered eight points and six boards in that title game. The 2006 movie “Glory Road” portrayed Texas Western’s road to the NCAA title.
From 1965 and 1968, Cager played in 77 games for the Miners, averaging 8.5 scores and 5.3 rebounds while competing for head coach Haskins.
UTEP basketball great Willie Cager passed away at age 81.
Cager passed away on the anniversary of the 1966 championship and remained a fixture in El Paso long after his playing days.
Texas’ EL PASO (KTSM) – According to his family, Willie Cager, a member of the Texas Western squad that won the national title in 1965–1966, passed away on Sunday morning at the age of 81.
Cager passed away exactly 57 years after Texas Western defeated Kentucky in the NCAA men’s collegiate basketball final, 72-65.
Cager was a member of the historic 1966 Texas Western team. Don Haskins, a hall-of-fame coach, fielded an all-Black starting lineup against Kentucky in the NCAA Final. Five Black players starting in an NCAA championship game was a first.
Cager, a sophomore then, started the championship game as one of the five Black players. Cager started the game with Bobby Joe Hill, Orsten Artis, Willie Worsley, and Dave Lattin.
Texas Western defeated the Adolph Rupp-led Kentucky team in the NCAA men’s collegiate basketball championship game in College Park, Maryland, 72-65.
Cager delivered eight points and six boards in that title game. The 2006 movie “Glory Road” portrayed Texas Western’s road to the NCAA title.
From 1965 and 1968, Cager played in 77 games for the Miners, averaging 8.5 points and 5.3 rebounds while competing for head coach Haskins.
Later in life, Cager settled in El Paso and established himself as a city pillar. Cager managed the after-school basketball program for the Ysleta Independent School District. In addition, Cager established the Willie Cager Foundation.
He has three children: a girl, Kendra, and two sons, Kareem and Kenya.
Basketball great Willie Cager from El Paso passed away on Sunday at 81
When the UTEP Miners men’s basketball team defeated Kentucky to win the NCAA National Championship in 1966, Cager was a part of the team.
He was a member of the Texas Western team in 1966. He made history by starting five African-American players in their 72–65 victory over Kentucky to claim the NCAA title and serve as the basis for the Disney smash hit Glory Road.
He was initially from the Bronx in New York and remained there after playing under Don Haskins, the legendary head coach.
Cager recorded six rebounds and eight points in the championship match versus Kentucky. Cager’s continued sponsorship of the Miner’s basketball programs was widely known across El Paso.
UTEP announced the Willie Cager scholarship fund in March 2022. The UTEP men’s basketball team sent his family and friends a tweet expressing its sympathies.
In addition, Cager established a nonprofit organization, the Willie Cager Foundation, that aimed to raise money for various El Paso city construction projects.
From 1964 through 1968, Cager participated in 77 games with the Miners. He had an 8.5-point and 5.5 rebound average. Cager’s funeral plans have not yet been disclosed.
Read Also: Introducing: Your Internet Viewing Guide for the Cate Blanchett Film “Tár”