WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — The Hartford Hawks family mourns the loss of former head men's basketball coach, Jack Phelan, who passed away on Monday at the age of 66. A native of West Hartford who starred at Northwest Catholic High School before attending St. Francis (Pa.) University, Phelan became the sixth head coach in program history,in 1981.
 
Inducted into the University of Hartford's Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame as a Pioneer in 2009, Phelan, who spent 11 seasons at the helm of the Hawks, was one of four coaches in program history to amass 100 career victories (128 wins). He joins Gordon McCullough (201-117 record from 1962-76), Paul Brazeau (100 wins from 1992-00) and current head coach John Gallagher (142 wins from 2010-present). 
 
"This is heartbreaking news," said Gallagher. "Jack was Hartford. He was tough, hardworking, caring and gritty, which are all qualities that resemble our great city. He was also a great family man. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Patti, and their three sons, Kenny, Jack and Patrick. Jack left a legacy both on and off the floor that will be felt in our program for generations to come."
 
Phelan notably piloted the Hawks during their transition from Division II to Division I for the 1984-85 season. In 1989-90 he led the program to a 17-11 record, a .607 winning percentage, which still stands as a Division I-best mark. In addition, the 17 wins that season were the most in Hartford's Division I era until 2007-08, when the team went 18-16 with its first-ever America East Championship appearance. 
 
"Jack was a visionary," said Gallagher. "He had the vision to take us to Division I when nobody thought it was possible. He also had such an impact on the student-athletes, who hold him in such high regard."
 
Phelan served as theathletic director at Farmington High School for the past 17 years. 
 
"People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime," said Vin Baker, who was a member of the Hartford men's basketball team from 1989-1993. "Coach Phelan touched all of these moments of my life."
 
A four-time NBA All-Star and an Olympic Gold medalist who now serves as an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks, Baker added "Coach Phelan was a great motivator and great competitor. At the age of 18, I couldn't have had a better person, mentor or coach in my life, at the University of Hartford. A pioneer and Hawks legend, you will be missed, Coach!"