Feb. 9, 2009

CALHOUN, La. -- Louisiana Tech hall of famer and prep-basketball coaching legend Jerry Lovett has passed away.

Lovett lettered for the Bulldog basketball team from 1948-1952 and helped guide Tech to winning seasons in his final three years. He is also a member of Tech's prestigious 1,000 Point Club scoring a total of 1,086 points in four years ranking 28th all-time in Tech's record books.

"It's certainly a sad day for Louisiana Tech," head coach Kerry Rupp said. "One thing I've tried to do since I came here is to connect with a lot of the former players in the program's history. Jerry was certainly the type of player who set a shining example of what it means to be a Bulldog on and off the court and someone we want our currents players to model after. We wish the family the very best during this difficult time."

Lovett later took the head job at Calhoun High School where he averaged nearly 22 wins a season for 30 years and ended his career with 631 wins, 17 playoff appearances and the 1973 State Championships. In 1996, he was named "Mr. Basketball" by the Louisiana Basketball Coaches Association who also inducted him into the LHSAA Hall of Fame in 2002. Tech added him to its Hall of Fame in 2003.

As a junior and senior, Lovett earned All-Gulf States Conference honors in basketball while also earning all-conference honors in baseball in 1953.

Lovett's visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Calhoun Baptist Church with funeral arrangements Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 2 p.m. at the same location.