Anyone know what Coach K did for Uncle Sam in the Army from 1969 to 1972?
-
After graduating from Westpoint near the height of the Vietnam War, from 1969 to 1972 Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski served as an officer in the U.S. Army.
What did he do for active duty? I googled a bit and found no reference to what he did on active duty. Does anyone know?
I got curious about his military service while looking at his W&L statements for a post I was thinking of writing.
He mentions his ties with the U.S. Army frequently and so I wondered: what exactly did he do for Uncle Sam during the Vietnam War?
-
Form his bio on Wikipedia…
"From 1969 to 1974, Krzyzewski served in the United States Army and directed service teams for three years. In 2005 he was presented West Point’s Distinguished Graduate Award. Krzyzewski was discharged from active duty in 1974 and started his coaching career as an assistant on Knight’s staff with the Indiana Hoosiers during their historic 1974–75 season. After one year with Indiana, Krzyzewski returned to West Point as head coach of the Army Cadets. He led the Cadets to a 73–59 record and one NIT berth in five seasons."
So…the short answer is that the was coaching basketball for the military and, if he went to Vietnam, it was likely with basketball team and not with a combat unit.
-
Thank you very much. Hmmm. Wouldn’t 69 to 74 be either 4, or 5 years, depending on how one counts it? So: if he were coaching service teams 3 years, then what would he have been doing the other one or two years?
Did you happen to notice anything about that period of service? I haven’t read a book about him, but the stuff on line doesn’t have anything else that I can see.
-
I think he was Forrest Gump’s ping pong partner.
-
HOWLING!
-
“During his military service, he coached service teams and served for two years as head coach at the U.S. Military Academy Prep School at Belvoir, Virginia”
-
@brooksmd
Thx.
-
You can read about his service on the Stars and Stripes web site.
https://www.stripes.com/sports/coach-k-recalls-his-army-years-during-visit-to-camp-casey-1.53281
-
@loota Nice info. But how on earth did you find a four-year old thread to which to add?
-
Probably Google. Good to have you join KUBuckets. Happy Veterans Day to all those who have served.
-
@nuleafjhawk Sorry bro, it wouldn’t let me private message you but I find that comment inappropriate. It’s your first inappropriate comment in 10 years so that aint bad, I write one about every other hour somewhere, but just saying.
-
@wissox Well, I guess in retrospect it wasn’t that great of a comment. But it was about Krzyzewski…
Ok - I’ll delete it.
-
@nuleafjhawk I tried to delete it, but it’s still kinda there. If you or anyone else can really delete it, please do.
-
@nuleafjhawk It’s not visible, but you’re right, it is about K so…!
