LORETTO, Pa. (March 8, 2013) – The Saint Francis University community was saddened this week to learn of the passing of men's basketball legend Calvin Fowler. Mr. Fowler, who most recently resided in Ocean City, Md., died on Tuesday, March 5, 2013. He was 73.
A 1,000-point scorer for the Red Flash from 1959-62, Fowler later served his country in the U.S. Army and was a co-captain of gold medal-winning United States Men's Basketball team in the 1968 Olympic games.
During his tenure in Loretto, legendary coach Skip Hughes knew whom to call on for instant offense during the 1960-61 and 1961-62 seasons. Fowler led the Red Flash in scoring each of these years, averaging better than 19.0 points per game in back-to-back seasons. He averaged 16.8 points per game for his career and current ranks 22nd all-time in scoring with 1,179 points.
Fowler teamed up with Ed Winters in 1961-62 as the only backcourt combination in the country to feature two 1,000-point scorers. The Red Flash posted a final record of 14-8 that season and won nine of its final 11 games.
Fowler is one of only eight Red Flash players to score more than 500 points in a single season, tallying 513 markers in the 1960-61 campaign.
In 1968, Fowler-led Team USA stormed through the group stage without a loss and with a combined scoring margin of 207 points. After knocking off Brazil in the semifinals, Team USA posted a 15-point victory against upset-minded Yugoslavia to claim the gold medal for a seventh-consecutive Olympiad.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pa., he was the son of the late Edmond and Sarah Fowler. His wife, Melva White Fowler, also preceded him in death.
From 1960 to 1970, he was a member of the Akron Ohio Wingfoots basketball team, the Akron Goodyear Wingfoots, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) All America, captain of the U.S. gold medal basketball teams at the Pan American Games in Canada and the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico, and played for the Carolina Cougars. Calvin also enjoyed a career of athletic endorsements for adidas and other athletic outlets.
After his playing career, Fowler retired from the U.S. Postal Service after many years of service.
A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday at New Bethel United Methodist Church in Berlin, Md.
To offer condolences to the family, please visit the website listed below.
Lewis N. Watson
Funeral Home
Salisbury, Md.
www.lewisnwatsonfuneralhome.com
