| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1924-11-13)November 13, 1924 Berne, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | July 6, 2017(2017-07-06) (aged 92) Spokane, Washington, U.S. |
| Career history | |
| As coach: | |
| 1956–1957 | Seattle Pacific (assistant) |
| 1957–1974 | Seattle Pacific |
| 1977–1983 | Seattle SuperSonics (assistant) |
| 1987 | Milwaukee Bucks (assistant) |
| 1987–1990 | Steiner Bayreuth |
| 1991 | Washington (assistant) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
As coach:
| |
Lester Habegger (November 13, 1924 – July 6, 2017) was the general manager of theSeattle SuperSonics from 1983 to 1985. Before he joined the SuperSonics, Habegger became an assistant coach for theSeattle Pacific Falcons in 1956. As their coach from 1957 to 1974, Habegger and Seattle Pacific reached the quarterfinals of the1965 NCAA College Division basketball tournament. Upon leaving his coaching position, Habegger had 272 wins and 176 losses.
For hisNBA career, Habegger primarily worked as an assistant coach for the SuperSonics and theMilwaukee Bucks between 1977 and 1987. Habegger continued his assistant coaching experience with theWashington Huskies in 1990. Outside of the United States, Habegger coached in Germany from 1987 to 1990. WithSteiner Bayreuth, his team won multipleGerman Basketball Cups and were fifth at the1988–89 FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup. He was inducted into theIndiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014.
Habegger was born inBerne, Indiana on November 13, 1924.[1] He lived with theAmish and had nine siblings.[2] For his post-secondary education, Habegger went toNorthwestern College,Wheaton College and theUniversity of Minnesota.[3]
For his military experience, Habegger was part of theBattle of the Bulge.[4] He worked with the274th Infantry Regiment as acombat medic during the 1940s.[5] AfterWorld War II, Habegger began assistant coaching forNorthwestern College while completing his college education. Upon graduating, he became a basketball coach for theSeattle Pacific Falcons in 1956 as an assistant coach before being promoted to head coach in 1957.[6]
As a member of theNAIA, his team did not qualify for the1961 NAIA basketball tournament after they were defeated in the District I playoffs final that year.[7][8] In theNCAA, Habegger and his team were part of the1965 NCAA College Division basketball tournament and reached the quarterfinals.[9][10] After leaving his coaching position in 1974, Habegger had 272 wins and 176 losses.[11] With his wins, Habegger set a career record forSeattle Pacific University.[12]
Outside of the NCAA, Habegger began working in theNBA as an assistant coach for theSeattle SuperSonics in 1977.[12] While with Seattle, Habegger was selected to work for the Western Conference team at the1980 NBA All-Star Game.[13] He was promoted to general manager of the SuperSonics in 1983 and remained as GM until 1985.[14] After his position of general manager ended, Habegger became the SuperSonics's Habegger director of player personnel in April 1985.[15] He remained with the SuperSonics until 1986 and joined theMilwaukee Bucks as an assistant coach the following year.[16]
From 1987 to 1990, Habegger was a coach in Germany as part of theBasketball Bundesliga league.[17][18] Between 1988 and 1989, Habegger andSteiner Bayreuth won back to backGerman Basketball Cups.[19] In 1989, Habegger and Steiner won the BBL championship.[20] AtFIBA competitions, his team was fifth at the1988–89 FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup.[21] Before ending his position in 1990, Habegger could not coach Steiner due to his injured back.[22] That year, Habegger went to theWashington Huskies to become an assistant basketball coach.[23] During the mid-1990s, Habegger decided not to resume his basketball experience in Germany when Steiner asked him to become their coach again.[4]
Habegger had two children. He died on July 6, 2017, inSpokane, Washington.[24][12]
Habegger was inducted into theUniversity of Northwestern – St. Paul Hall of Fame in 2003[25] and the Seattle Pacific University Hall of Fame in 2004.[18] He also entered theIndiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014.[26]
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